Footwear Insight

18 • Footwear Insight ~ January/February 2024 footwearinsight.com "While we didn't have a new program in place this year, I have to mention that getting effective guest feedback is important to any retailer. We send out feedback requests routinely to get a pulse of how our service levels are. Having open channels of communication can help any store stay in touch with its guests." — Chris Stanley, Lamey-Wellehan "Reyers has always had a program in place to incentivize our staff to sell more; more shoes, more insoles, more socks, more whatever. Yet we have just recently rejiggered our program to more reward their efforts. Which should increase sales. So, we'll see." — Mark Jubelirer, Reyers Shoes "It's hard for me not to speak of some of our initiatives over the past few years that have been great for our business/culture. To name one, we launched Beck's Book, our internal intranet planform. We are not claiming this to be an original idea by any means, but this has been a great way to keep the connection between Team Members as we've grown across five states. Every Team Member has their own account and can create posts that invite others into their day. ings such as a great sale, waterfall Wednesday, Fido Friday, Caterday, etc. For 2023 we have launched our 'Self-evaluations' companywide for all Team Members at Beck's Shoes. is gives each team member the opportunity to not only evaluate themselves, but to evaluate how Beck's Shoes is creating opportunity or helping them achieve their professional goals. is ensures that we as leadership are actively engaged in each individual's needs and aspirations here at Becks." Markus Lopez, Beck's Shoes "is year has brought a major change to our store as we moved to a bigger location for the first time in over 80 years. e increased capacity to fit and serve our loyal community of patrons has been a wonderful blessing." — Will Nettleton, Modern Shoe "Stout's largest initiative that was put in place within the last year that made a positive impact on our business was taking action in our community by partnering up with a local organization every month. We helped in any way we could whether it was a fundraiser, drive, or fitting children in need with new shoes." — Stephanie Stout, Stout's Footwear "We are in the process of implementing new tools and processes to improve inventory management, data management, and reporting. We are seeing early returns that have been extremely positive. Another big thing for us, is we have created brands and products for key accessory items that are easy add-ons. Being able to improve margins on a water bottle, an insole, or other items that are add- ons to footwear sales has been a big deal to store margins and our overall profit." — Bryce Anderson, Walking Comfort RETAIL Tradehome Shoes, which is 100% employee owned and operated, has community-focused philanthropy as part of its business model. Chiappetta Shoes of Kenosha, WI, relocated to a new building in 2023 and tripled the store's overall size. Beck's Shoes has put several initiatives in place that focus on its team members and company culture.

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