Footwear Insight

fits perfectly for what we are trying to accomplish with our 'Socks with Purpose'program: We are both actively trying to help people live a more active, healthy lifestyle." That's why we launched the awards in 2015. And we're thrilled to say that service has never been better. This year, we have the largest number of first-time inductees we've ever had — and as many inductees as we've ever had. On pages 31 and 32, we profile some of the very, very best: Five stores of the 120 we shopped notched perfect scores (or yes, even better than perfect — see page 40 for the criteria). There are only 10 stores who have earned a Gold Medal Service Award for all of the past five years, and we asked them for their secrets. The result is a step-by-step guide to making that award-winning service — the kind that drives sales and wins lifelong loyalty, an everyday habit in any shop. (And if you're just eager to get to the scores, we get it — you'll find the complete list of Gold Medal Service Winners on page 44.) Here's to great service — and to the shops that set the standard. Nominate a shop you love or your own shop for 2020. Email us at nominations@goldmedalserviceawards.com Photo: Jacquelynn Buck • jacquelynnbuck.com footwearinsight.com September/October 2019 ~ Footwear Insight • 31 A lan's Shoes is no stranger to the Gold Medal Service Awards list, but the Tucson shop outdid itself this year, earning a whopping 103 points — the highest score of any shop in 2019. The four (soon to be five) locations of comfort-focused stores are always looking to improve, says president Alan Miklofsky. (That's him on the cover with wife Annette). In fact, he said, just before he learned Alan's Shoes had taken the top spot, he and his management team were having inter- nal discussions about how to bring the in-store service to the next level: "We think we could do a better job of serving and understanding our customer's needs and wants," he said. "We're always talking about what we need to change or shake up so we can move forward." Miklofsky said that as Alan's Shoes moves forward — including the opening of a shop in a new location for the firm — keep- ing the customer's needs, for both styles they can rely on and newness to keep them engaged, will be paramount. "You have to add freshness, now more than ever," he said. "We're making more room for fresh inventory and expanding categories, and testing some brands we didn't have in the past — but in order to do that, you need to know what you can rely on." S C O R E : 1 0 3 ALAN'S SHOES TUCSON, AZ / FOUNDED: 1982 The Store with the Top Score! Foot Solutions Columbia owner John Owen likes to set the tone for new customers as soon as they walk in the door. "We have a sign: 'Please don't ask for your size, please ask to be fitted,'" he said. A thorough fitting and a detailed consultation is the standard of care at the shop, which operates both a retail and medical division. "We focus on foot wellness and health; we focus on what's the best thing for your foot. We brand ourselves as more of a medical boutique." This year, Foot Solutions Columbia has remodeled the shop and added reflexology and nail services, and started offering CBD oil as an add on for neuropathy and arthritic pain. He's also expanded the store's accessory offering, adding handbags, soaps and jewelry created by local, purpose-driven artisans. When taken with Foot Solutions Columbia's partnership with Soles4Souls, Owen said, it makes customers feel good about their purchases — in all ways. S C O R E : 1 0 1 FOOT SOLUTIONS COLUMBIA COLUMBIA, SC / FOUNDED: 2001

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