Footwear Insight

for the footwear business in 2021. "Ha-ha, absolutely zero," he offers. "The first rule, and the only rule for the time being is to do what it takes to survive. That is the mindset now, and it will continue to be the mindset until we are out of this. According to the smart people, the next few months are going to be horrible. We should start to the see the light at the end of the tunnel sometime in mid-March 2021." —BM Alan's Shoes Two years shy of its 40th anniversary as the go-to, full service specialty shoe store in Tucson, AZ, Alan's Shoes opened its fourth door in a popular local retail center. At the time, president and CEO Alan Miklofsky thought the 4,400- sq. ft. location would be a perfect growth opportunity for his family- owned business given it was seen as popular destination for cross- border shoppers from Mexico. This was March 2020, the same month that the COVID-19 pandemic began to alter life and business across America. Ever since, Miklofsky, who owns Alan's Shoes with his wife, Annette, has been working aggressively to get his customers, many of whom have been sheltering at home and reluctant to venture into his stores, to feel comfortable again. He has also worked to keep staff employed with an enhanced compensation system. Miklofsky has started a weekly radio show to build a new audience; and produced a video for distribution on social media that reminds current and potential customers of Alan's safety procedures and pleasant store environment. And throughout it all, Alan's Shoes has continued to advertise. "In good times, you should advertise, but in bad times you must," says Miklofsky, who confesses that all of the attempts to improve Alan's sales during the pandemic "have largely been problematic." With the Holiday 2020 season upon us, Miklofsky projects that the business will not get back to 2019 sales levels by the new year. A huge obstacle for the banner was its overstocked inventory position at the beginning of the pandemic that has impacted its ability to show as many 2021 styles to its customers as it would like. But what has left more of a sour taste in Miklofsky's mouth over the last eight months has been the attitude of some customers, particularly in one door, who have complained to staff about having to wear face masks in his stores. —BM Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics One year removed from the 50th anniversary of the business under the Schwartz Family and 111 years as an independent specialty shoe store in metropolitan New York City, three-storefront Eneslow Pedorthic Enterprises, Inc. is facing a challenge it never has before — a lack of foot traffic in a city of more than 8.3 million. "It has resulted in most customers ordering on the phone," says Bob S. Schwartz, president and CEO of the business that includes a Park Avenue store and headquarters complete with a custom shoe department and the Eneslow Pedorthic Institute (EPI) classroom. There are additional stores on Manhattan's Third Avenue and in Little Neck, Queens. "While remote selling is okay, our specialty is on the fitting stool, guiding our customers to make the best, most informed decisions," laments Schwartz, who serves on the board of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce that represents small and large retail businesses in the Big Apple. Earlier this year, Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics received Congressional 22 • Footwear Insight ~ December 2020 footwearinsight.com "In good times, you should advertise, but in bad times you must." Alan Miklofsky, Alan's Shoes "This year, the focus has been on the phone, and our website has taken center stage to guide each customer through their shopping journey." Bob S. Schwartz, Eneslow Shoes RETAIL Alan's Shoes Eneslow Shoes

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