(Clap on, Clap off…). So, we’re right in there with you. But as Adam Beck, of Beck’s Shoes  reminds all of us, “control your controllables.”  And that’s just what we plan to do.

Alan Miklofsky’s column in this issue talks about lessons from past economic downturns for independent shoe retailers who navigated past recessions successfully and reveals key survival tactics. Stay agile, being willing to adapt, strengthen customer loyalty and control costs without compromising the customer experience.  Be prepared, act early and maintain a long-term perspective. Or to put it another way, control what you can control.

We are aware of the shift away from Work-From- Home (WFH) to Work-In-Office (WIO)—yes, there is an acronym—driven by the changing demands by many corporations. Our Trend Insight consumer survey for this issue focuses on those who are active and employed, and the responses show the shift is real. When dressing for work, while over 55% of consumers choose athletic-inspired styles, 41% prefer a mix of dress or casual shoes along with athletic styles.  What attributes are they looking for? Comfort, style, durability and versatility. Our Workplace Style feature shows that there is a return to classic style footwear options for “wear to work” with the understanding that consumers still look for footwear that can transition easily from the workplace to after hours.  

Recovery footwear is also front and center with new options in the category that are providing a style boost.  

We also asked a few questions in our consumer survey focused on the recovery footwear. From their responses, there is a big opportunity here, as they want more information while shopping in the stores. Consumers have learned about the category on social media, from friends and from various websites.  Some consumers mentioned that they want to see more styles available when shopping, along with more education about the footwear itself.  That goes hand in hand with their responses about what factors influence their trust in a retail store associate’s recommendations — product knowledge, assessing their specific needs, their personal experience with using the product, and the store’s reputation. Customer service at its best.

And speaking of customer service, we have a photo celebration in this issue featuring many or our 2024 Gold Medal Service Award winners who received their award plaques a few weeks ago. We are truly humbled and honored by the recognition and appreciation of our retail audience. Customer service is at the heart of everything you do, and it is a privilege to create an awards program that celebrates your dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence. We are grateful for the opportunity to highlight your outstanding contributions to the customer experience.  It’s within your control, and certainly well-deserved.

Jeff Nott, Publisher

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