Footwear Insight

46 • Footwear Insight ~ September/October 2023 footwearinsight.com Photos in Lebo's archives are a time capsule of American history. published and the first Polaroid camera was sold for $89.95, the internet was decades from becoming a real thing, much less a vital component of a retail operation. Lebo's ecommerce segment emerged in 2013 aer more than a decade of preparing for it. Brian and Tracy spearheaded the arduous task of de- constructing and re-assembling the retailer's methods and products, which involved merging systems and con- verting SKUs to UPC codes. Ironically, perhaps, Lebo's new operation went "live" two weeks before the pandemic began in March 2020. e ecommerce business has grown steadily over the last three years. Customers can make purchases and use a product locator to determine which of the chain's lo- cations have the size and color needed or call a store for additional assistance. Lebo's ships orders all over the U.S. from its Charlotte warehouse. Brian says the business was "very lucky" during Covid-19 given it only had to shut down for six weeks and was supported by its customers throughout. at subsistence and many others RETAIL "You survive by adapting to changes and never giving up." LEBO'S AT A GLANCE What: Lebo's, a fourth-generation family-owned chain based in Piedmont region of North Carolina. When: Founded in 1923 by Sidney Levin. Who: Jerome L. Levin, chairman; Mark Goldsmith, president; Linda Goldsmith, secretary; Brian Goldsmith, VP; and Tracy Goldsmith Lisk, e-commerce director. Employees: 46 full-time, 18 part-time. Where: Six stores in North Carolina and South Carolina — Monroe, NC; Charlotte, NC; Kannapolis, NC; Charlotte/Pineville, NC; Gastonia, NC; and Rock Hill, SC. Store Size: Average 6,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. with largest, 30,000-sq.-ft. store in Charlotte. Hot Brands: On, Hoka, Brooks, Ariat, Timberland, Wolverine, Durango, Dan Post. Known For: Lebo's has been known over the decades for a full-service experience and for carrying hard-to-find sizes and an extensive selection of comfort brand shoes, sandals, boots, western wear, cowboy boots, equestrian gear, work wear, apparel and dancewear. over the past century at Lebo's, from the Great Depression of the 1930s to the Great Recession of 2008, can be traced to a few things, suggests Mark Goldsmith, who has worked in the family business full-time for four decades, serving as president for the last 25 years. "You survive by adapting to changes and never giving up," he recommends. "Treat your customers as they are guests in your home. ey have choices and you hope they choose you… We have attracted a wide range of cus- tomers as we have learned to adapt and find our niche. "We have competition all around, big box stores, strip malls, Amazon and the internet, we just focus on what we do best and do it better than anyone else," Mark adds. "…If a family-owned businesses expects to succeed, I would suggest, roll up your sleeves, put on your listening ears, and be aware of what's going on around you. Have an understanding spouse who keeps you on track and is your biggest cheer- leader. Surround yourself with good people and you will succeed for the next 100 years." n

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