SOCIETY NEWS ‘N VIEWS - SPRING 2010
Published: 23 February, 2010
Greetings from the President!
As the Autumn/Winter buying time is now upon us, maybe we should ponder and think a little: Are these goods going to be made by people getting a ‘living’ wage? Are they being created by better environmental methods? Perhaps a little difficult to get one’s head around, but it’s no harm giving it a thought!
This season and this year are going to be tough for all businesses, already word is coming through of some closures in our part of the world (Ireland). Not before time it is imperative that suppliers and retailers work together, but in many cases this sadly is not happening (to my knowledge – but pleased to hear from members who think differently). Business is a two-way street and should be beneficial to both parties.
My bug-bear at the moment and what I believe to be the plague of retailing – carton lots. It was so much better when you could choose exactly the size and fittings you required in the numbers needed.
In Italy recently the government passed a law to make all civil servants act politely when dealing with members of the public – at back-to-school time this would no doubt see many of us enjoying the bread and water diet! I think it is time we passed a law that banned carton lots!!!
If you are going to MODA, stop by the SSF stand and say hello….rest assured you will be met with a warm welcome and very politely….
BERNARD
The Society of Shoe Fitters, The Anchorage, Admirals Walk, Hingham, Norfolk. NR9 4JL
Tel: +44 (0)1953-851171. Email: secretary@shoefitters-uk.org
They have kindly partsponsored this newsletter and we are extremely grateful to them.
A big thank you to our Associate Members – Clarks and Aetrex.
Aextrex is one of our new Associate Members. We have entered their information on our web pages and in our course material describing their footwear etc. as follows: “Extra-depth, multiple width shoes with unique insoles to quickly remove pressure points. Designs range from diabetic to casual to dress, all with therapeutic/wellness characteristics for optimal comfort and injury prevention. Aetrex is also the manufacturer of the iStep foot scanning technology for both the retail and medical industries” For more information and to see who they are and what they do, visit www.aetrex.com. They will also be exhibiting at MODA.
Clarks continue to remain the largest footwear brand and may well be diversifying again into the independent retail sector. This has not been confirmed officially, but it would be good to see a mix of brands including Clarks in some of the smaller UK shops – long live Clark’s!
CONGRATULATIONS
– To our member Basak Kurtoglu and family in Turkey, on the birth of their beautiful baby Efe….and for sending this super photo. Basak has an amazing shop with quality brands and offering a fitting service unheard of in Turkey. He will be the best shod for miles!
May we introduce you to our Natural Health Fairs that are taking place in Kings Heath, Birmingham on Sunday 18th April, and again in Tolworth, Surrey on Sunday 11th July 2010. These fairs are aimed at promoting natural health to local members of the public, to introduce to them the advantages of therapies such as hypnotherapy, osteopathy, reflexology, amongst many others. We are also holding a number of informal talks from leading therapists within their own fields. Visit our website at www.naturalhealthfair.co.uk As a therapist based in either the Midlands or Surrey areas, how would you like to play a part in the Natural Health Fair that will put you in front of hundreds of local potential clients from as little as £75?
We have only just opened the fair to exhibitors. The best positions always go first so don’t delay. If you want to ensure that you get a great place at this fair, check out the website or give us a call soon on 0845 544 0702. If you would like to see a more clients from your area, take this great opportunity to promote yourself or your business to hundreds of local members of the public in just one day, DON’T MISS OUT.
Note from Secretary: Just because it says ‘therapist’ doesn’t stop our shoe fitting members taking a space – we are therapists in our own way, and will probably be busier than anyone else – so invest £75 on a stand (think of it as a small advert, take some leaflets, your certificate etc., let the public know you are a qualified and can probably help with their families foot health and shoe fitting!
DIE MEISTERSINGER – WELSH NATIONAL OPERA
This summer the Welsh National Opera will be performing Die Meistersinger (which is of course set in a cobblers/shoe shop). They are desperately in need of old/antique shoe shop/cobblers equipment and materials. They are happy to buy them or borrow them to be copied, they will even arrange collection if required. Richard French of Southampton has already answered the call with a fitting stool, but can you help? If so please email andy.john@wno.org.uk at the Welsh National Opera. Rehearsals start at the end of April, so an early response would be appreciated. Many thanks.
Welcome NEW STUDENTS!
There are 44 new students on this year’s courses and still one or two enquiries. Although numbers were small initially and we were concerned that the recession had hit us particularly hard, students have gradually signed up from both new businesses and our loyal band of existing members shops.
Our first Workshop was held in London at the Society of Chiropodists & Podiatrists last Wednesday. It was a good group and a good day and thanks to Maureen Unsworth and Gwenda Carter for their usual professional approach to their subject matter – Anatomy and Children’s Shoe Fitting and it was good to see Tutor Rosemary Gray meeting her students too. Thanks to Lisa at the Soc. Of Chiropodists, as she ensured the rooms were set out perfectly and we enjoyed a good lunch. We were also pleased to see some students from last year who had unfortunately missed Workshop 1 (which was W.2 last year). So if you have ever missed a Workshop and regretted it, do let us know and dependent upon numbers we will try to include you.
Workshop 2 will be our Factory Visit to D.B. Shoes in Rushden covering Manufacturing and Adult Fitting – Speakers will be Mr. Charles Denton and Mrs. Karen Little. This will be held on Wednesday June 9th 2010, so please put this date in your diaries. Students will be sent an invite nearer the time, but if you are a member or student from last year and would like to attend, please contact the Secretary (secretary@shoefitters-uk.org).
For those that need training quickly and more intensive, (usually a new shop opening) we have our Deluxe Course, and this is proving to be quite popular and involves an instore training day.
We ask all students to keep lines of communication going with your Tutors, they are there to help you and there is nothing worse than getting close to the end and panicking because you are behind.
You won’t enjoy your coursework if you work this way, and will be disappointed with yourself that you didn’t manage your time better. Slow and steady is better than a mad gallop when it comes to learning! Don’t struggle, pick up the phone or write us an email.
Special THANK YOU
to Karen Little of Haswell Shoes of Nuneaton on two counts. First we had a call from a homeless gentleman who spoke impeccable English but had fallen on hard times and packed his belongings into a garage and hit the road. When he said he was homeless it was quite a shock which he picked up on immediately and said ‘don’t pity me, it is my choice and my way of dealing with a temporary financial problem’, he wouldn’t let us return the call to the phone box either – a proud and educated man. His feet were suffering and although he could afford to buy some good shoes, it was difficult for him to find a shop to do the job properly or that would allow him in a shop. LW directed him to Karen which was a short train journey away (he had a bicycle, but thought it was too far to pedal in the cold of November), and without a moment’s hesitation said she would look after him – and she did in her expert fashion.
Secondly, we often get calls from people interested in opening a shop but hitting a brick wall when they ask independent shops for advice etc. LW always explains that they too will feel the same if they set up a successful business and think that ‘Mr. Competitor wants to ‘steal’ their entire long gotten knowledge, expertise and contacts. Needless to say we advise going to the other side of the country to ask for this help. It is not the first time Karen has opened her doors without a moment’s hesitation, and not only do those visiting appreciate it, but so does the SSF! Karen is a good, kind spirit epitomising the true meaning of membership of our organisation – she also puts ALL her staff through our course! Would you open your doors to a prospective new business? If you would then let Laura know, as it is not fair on Karen to continually ask for this help and we would always ensure that the shop will be opening many miles from you and not a possible competitor!
WELL DONE TRACEY MANTON OF SOUTHEND. SIMPLY SHOES of ROCHFORD, ESSEX
who was a finalist in the local Evening Echo Business awards in 2 categories which they were entered for, by the paper – New Company and Retailer. A great night was had by all, black tie etc – there were 9 finalists in each category and although they did not win – they did actually win HIGHLY COMMENDED in the NEW COMPANY CATEGORY. If you are on face book there is a video of them receiving their award.
Tracey says: It is very hard out there at the moment, but we are trying our best and ensuring that we continue to be recognised with editorials in local papers and for January we even had an advertisement on the local Southend Radio. I will forward this to you as I felt it was right for us. We may even do one nearer to August BTS – depending on costs of course.
Brilliant Tracey – worth trying any new media and shouting about your business, am sure it will bear fruit. Congratulations!
From the Office:
Dear all, we are now well into 2010 and the cold weather seems to be determined to hang around for a while longer. We have seen disaster in Haiti, another historic manufacturing base sold off (Cadbury) and now election speculation. On the bright side we are not hearing that we are in fear of our lives from the flu – grateful for small mercies. We can bail out banks with no guarantees of repayment but still give their employees massive bonuses, but not keep Cadbury working, to benefit the many businesses that depend upon it for a living (not just employees). Hopefully the shoe trade has not suffered quite as badly, and although some shops have closed, we are seeing the green shoots of new shops starting to emerge and we will be doing our best to support them. For those having sold plenty of boots, but still have them on display, you will no doubt be glad to replace them with some brighter spring/summer colours to cheer yourselves up a bit!
We are entering the ‘silly’ season - buying and show time, where exhibitors gamely lay down considerable budget to show us what they have on offer and whether you are happy with what you have got instore, it is always worth taking time out to take a look – you never know, you might miss next season’s best seller or the right pantone leather colour!
