Footwear Insight

48 • Footwear Insight ~ September/October 2018 footwearinsight.com TRENDINSIGHT consumer POWERED BY www.mesh01.com 58% More Trustworthy 37% As Trustworthy In general, would you consider the results of a foot scan more trustworthy, as trustworthy or less trustworthy than an assessment made by a store associate using other methods? I would trust the scanner more as long as it is able to make recommendations across brands like a sales associate can. Store associates are always in a rush to get you out. They have no care or feelings for your purchase or needs. I think a scan would offer more precise and detailed measurements such as width. I believe they can do more then just the metal sizer. This is not a reflection of the trustworthiness or professionalism on the part of the fitter, but presumably the scanner allows for consistency. Therefore I believe it would be more reliable as a result of having that consistency. It all depends on the salesperson but probably the machine would be more trustworthy. Using data is always going to be more on point than eyeballing an adjustment. It seems like technology would provide a good result, but you need an associate (or some other trustworthy information) to know how a particular shoes meets the results of the scan. For example, I have a wide forefoot and a narrow heel. A scanner might confirm this, but how do I know which shoe has these same characteristics? In our survey of nearly 115 men and women, here are some of the replies they offered about foot scans. It is as trustworthy as a store associate using other methods. I wouldn't be so sure yet since a lot of scanners can be defective. At the same time, a store associate can be wrong too. Can't be any worse? Probably a smaller margin for error? Technology should augment the deep knowledge the associate has about the brands and my needs. It really depends on the associate. At a running specialty store I'd expect more from the associate, though a scanner might be good backup for them. But at a big box store, bring on the scanners. I'd definitely trust it more. It should give additional information and be used by an experienced shoe associate. It would be less reliable by itself, I believe. Depends on the knowledge of the store associate. Also important - trust in your own ability to assess what is right for yourself. There are some cases that do not fit in a basic set of information. The machines can only spit out so much information. Depends on the unit and if it is a trusted reputable brand. 5% Less Trustworthy Takeaway: Consumers have a high level of confidence of the accuracy of the scans, and a belief that a scan would provide richer information that they typically get at the store. That being said, they want the interpretative element and the deep, first-hand product knowledge of an associate to help them translate that information into the right purchase for them. See the complete list of consumer comments at footwearinsight.com

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