Q&A
Within days we had customers on the phone asking about their children’s shoes, and so we decided to open for appointments. We also delivered shoes to our customers’ homes. We had 3 level 5 lockdowns in Ireland, and we continued the appointments in every lockdown. We wanted to continue providing a service to our customers and I feel as a family we did our very best in doing this as safely as possible. We are open again as normal with all staff since May, Back to School was busy and as usual waterproof shoes were the main seller! They are a necessity in this part of the world!
We are obviously down on 2019 figures, but I am trying to make the most of the situation we are in and be proactive in addressing customers’ needs and requirements.
Do you have an online shop/website, and do you use social networking for business? Was this active during the lockdown? We currently do not sell on-line. I am working on a website, which will be more of an online catalogue rather than a sales platform. We currently use Facebook and Instagram to show our new arrivals and update customers. However, I definitely need to up skill myself in this area and use it more frequently.
What’s selling well? Any particular trends? Which are your best- selling footwear brands – and why?
Children’s waterproof is an area that has really taken off for us in the last few years. Customers are looking for practicality rather than fashion and so want a shoe that will serve several purposes. Superfit, Ricosta, Joma & Geox are our top sellers currently.
How important is shoe fitting to your business? Are you or any of your staff members of the Society of Shoe Fitters?
Shoe Fitting is essential to our business, I am a member of the Society of Shoe Fitters since 2012. I have also completed many fitting courses in my time. We take fitting Children’s shoes very seriously and our staff have been trained to do so also. We have developed a reputation for our quality service and trustworthiness over the years.
Generations of families have bought their children’s shoes with us and I plan to see a few more through our doors!!
‘People laugh about the Irish around the world but one of my first days in the shoe shop in Perth, Western Australia, an Irish couple came in, to get a 2nd pair of shoes for their daughter. Of course, we start chatting and it turned out that they were from Galway as well. My father had put
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