Footwear Insight

I had the radio on in the car the other day when the DJ asked, "Can you believe we're already at the three week countdown until Black Friday?" And while I laughed (and yes, rolled my eyes, just a little) at the idea, I definitely have no trouble believing that the countdown is on: The stores have been advertising pre-season sales and deals since the first day of November, and some even before that. No matter where you look — in the malls, around standalone shops, in town, in emails and on social media — the holiday sales season is definitely underway. It was with that in mind that we decided to poll some smart store owners to find out just how they handle the Black Friday and beyond sale times, and I was blown away all the ways genius shops are turning what could be a no-win situation into a way to forge even deeper relationships with their shoppers and communities. Check out their ideas on page 22, and let us know what you'll be doing this year, too. And just to keep things grounded, we asked consumers what their shopping plans were as well — the results may surprise you. There's some good news for footwear shops in their plans, so make sure to check out their responses on page 50. But just like so many of you, we're ending the year with a dive into work. On page 28, we're so excited to showcase footwear that works for some of the hardest workers around: the nurses, chefs, waiters, urban farmers, lawn and garden workers and delivery drivers who make up a large and growing part of the workforce. And in the interest of being well-rounded, we decided to take a 360-degree views of the subject: Check out our eye-opening (for me and I bet for you, too) interviews with real work consumers on page 42, and then keep reading on page 48 to hear how some workwear veterans sell to this critical category. As the temperature drops, I'm thrilled to have spent a full year in your company in my role as Editor-in-Chief. We've learned a lot, and we feel like we've just scratched the surface — and we're inspired every day by the passion and know- how you're bringing to your business. As you gear up for Thanksgiving, or as my friend at the radio station might call it, the One-Day Countdown until Black Friday, I hope you take a minute to pat yourself on the back. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and an even better rest of the year. Staying Tuned In TIME OUT | JENNIFER ERNST BEAUDRY 4 • Footwear Insight ~ November/December 2019 footwearinsight.com

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