Q&A
the 1st pair of shoes on their daughter, 6000 miles away before they had emigrated! Turns out all the Irish do know each other!!
Do you use an EPOS (retail technology) system in your shop(s)? Yes, we have the K Retail System currently, which we will need to update this year.
What is your favourite men’s footwear brand/manufacturer – ditto ladies/children’s brand – and why? Men’s- Roamers for the fit
Ladies -Suave and Jana for style and quality for their respective price points Children’s -Ricosta for all aspects really, excellent quality with a range of styles.
How do you select your products – which criteria do you use / what are your customers looking for?
I like to think I have a good gut instinct; I don’t always get it right but I’m not too bad. I am on the shop floor every day and so I know our customers personally, so I feel like I have a good idea of their requirements and what they are comfortable wearing. Also, I try to look around the entire marketplace and offerings to get a rounded idea of what the consumer will be offered other places. There is no point in everyone stocking the same style products.
Practicality with a bit of style seems to work in the West of Ireland.
Which footwear/fashion shows do you attend, how do you rate them? Are you planning to attend a Show next year, if so, which one? Moda tends to be my main show and I usually find it quite good. It’s great to meet other retailers, see new brands etc. I am due my 1st child in July, so I don’t think I’ll make it in Sept, but I aim to be there in Feb!
Do you have a favourite footwear agent you can tell us about? I am a little biased, but I have found the Irish Agent for UKD to be the best
32 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021
and most biddable!!!!
Have you always had a passion for footwear? How many pairs of shoes do you own? Do you have a favourite pair?
I have loved shoes since I was tiny, I just love the excitement of putting on a new pair. Shoes are one of those items that can bring immense joy and they I find they inspire confidence in me. I wouldn’t say I have a favourite pair, maybe one per category but even then, I couldn’t pick just one! At this moment I probably have about 100 pairs in my wardrobe, I love the classic stiletto 5-inch heel and so have several pairs in different colours!
Any famous customers? Not in Ireland but I did fit Elton John’s children in Toronto!
How do you think the Government could best help footwear retailers at this difficult time, i.e. lower business rates, rents, VAT etc? Thankfully in Ireland, the Government came to their senses and allowed Children’s shoe shops to do appointments in April.
Do you have any plans for the future?
My plans currently would be to expand the children’s department and keep our family business here for another 80 years or at least hand it to a 4th generation.
I have introduced a loyalty program in the last 2 years and it has proved very successful so I would like to expand this.
Contact Address: Dublin Rd
Townparks (4th Division) Tuam, Co. Galway, H54 X375 Phone: (093) 24326 Email:
info@lukeobrienshoes.il
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