Footwear Insight

This year, 90 retailers earned a spot on Footwear Insight's 2025 Gold Medal Service Award list. Here, they share their customer service strategies.

TOP SCORING STORE: THE HEEL SHOE FITTERS

AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE

When a customer visits The Heel Shoe Fitters in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the retailer’s aim is not just to sell them shoes, but also to give them an experience that will keep them coming back. And telling others about it, too.

TOP SCORING STORE: STOUT’S FOOTWEAR

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

A fourth-generation, family-owned sit-and-fit shoe retailer founded in 1886, Stout’s Footwear has an unquestionable legacy of serving its community with care.

GMSA 2025

The Award Winning Stores

See the full list of Footwear Insight’s 2025 Gold Medal Service Award winning stores here.

GMSA 2025

ADDING VALUE WITH INSOLES (& SOCKS)

We asked some of our Gold Medal winning retailers about their approach to selling insoles and socks.

SNEAKER STYLE

TURNING UP THE VOLUME

Getting in tune with the top sneaker trends for 2026.

BRAND PROFILE

ECCO IN FOCUS

A candid Q&A with ECCO’s Neal Taylor and a look at the brand’s Danish heritage.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Full Service Always Wins TOMA

Alan Miklofsky on How to Win "Top of Mind" Awareness with customers.

TREND INSIGHT

Why Brick-And-Mortar Resonates with Shoppers

In our latest survey, consumers share opinions on brick-and-mortar retail.

PAST MAGAZINE FEATURES

THE IMPORTANCE OF FEELING GOOD

October 2025

Suzanne Blecher

Comfort One’s Big Picture

October 2025

Bob McGee

Markets Must Weather More Uncertainty After Solid Q3

October 2025

Bob McGee

SURVIVAL THROUGH SERVICE

October 2025

Alan Miklofsky

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SHOE DESIGN

October 2025

Emily Walzer

POWER IN PARTNERSHIP

October 2025

Cara Griffin

Read The Nov/Dec 2025 Issue

SUSTAINABILITY IN SPORTS

Pushing the Boundaries of Performance with Environmentally-Friendly Practices.

FOOTWEAR INSIGHT

GMSA 2025

This year, 90 retailers earned a spot on Footwear Insight's 2025 Gold Medal Service Award list. Here, they share their customer service strategies.

TEAM INSIGHT

World Serious

RUNSTYLE

The Race is On!

How brands are differentiating in a crowded field.