Best Fit Foot forward for the environment

Best Fit Foot forward for the environment

The new initiative started just over a week ago. In that time Mrs Laurens-Chalmers would usually have given out 50 bags a day amounting to more than 200. Instead, that figure has dropped to just four bags.

While she accepts that it doesn’t work for all products, the businesswoman says that shoe shopping, especially with children, isn’t an impulse purchase but an outing, so people know they are going to need to carry their shoes home.

She is keen to encourage other retailers to follow her lead: ‘I think it’s just a shame other bigger shops don’t do it. I’m an independent business – if I can do it there’s no reason why they can’t.’

It isn’t just the bags that Fit Footwear have targeted: ‘All of our shoe boxes get collected by a local company and they use them to send aircraft parts all over the world, so we know they’re getting reused.’ The shop also has a Salvation Army bin for old shoes to be passed-
on.

Fit Footwear Central has been at its location in Seale Street for about 13 years. They sell adult and children’s shoes and have around 1,300 members in their kids’ shoe
club.

While Mrs Laurens-Chalmers has seen some impact from online sales, the shop has a loyal following: ‘We do get the odd occasion when people will come in and let me fit their shoes. And then they’ll say what’s it called? What size is it? And I know they’re going to go and buy it online. And that’s a bit infuriating.’

The shop also caters for older people who need comfortable shoes or orthotics: ‘We do an awful lot of shoes for old-age pensioners, because we give them a 10% discount. And also some of them like to just come in and have a bit of a chat. The mornings don’t tend to be as busy, so we encourage them to come in before lunchtime and then I’ve got time to spend with
them.

‘Everybody knows the effect that online ordering is having on the high street. I think what you can offer in high street stores is personal service and knowledge,’ added Mrs Laurens-Chalmers. The community feel in the shop, underlined by the new environmental initiatives, is undoubtedly part of their retail success.

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