Shoe Store Supply plays Important Role in Store Design

June 25, 2006: ST. LOUIS, MO – Shoes, more than any other article of clothing, have really come a long way in the past century. 100 years ago, most people, men and women alike, had just one or maybe two pair of shoes- day shoes for work and night shoes for anything else.

But according to a recent internet poll, 41% of people surveyed buy new shoes several times per year. That’s great news if you own a shoe store. But how do you ensure that those customers keep coming back to you?

“The basics of running a successful shoe store in 2006 lie in the supply and design of your store,” Nu-Era Marketing and eCommerce Director Chris Weis said. “It is important to use these elements to create an environment that your customers will feel comfortable in.”

Weis’ company Nu-Era is a full service retail supply and fixtures provider. The company has an entire section of their site, www.Nu-Era.com, dedicated to customers who run shoe stores.

Weis recommends that store owners start with the details, because those are the things that customers notice first. He said small things like having plenty of shoe mirrors and properly displaying your products can make a big difference.

“It’s easy to get caught up in having the latest and greatest products,” Weis said. “That’s fine. But remember that shopping is an experience for customers, and that takes into account the whole store and staff, not just products.”

Weis also recommends store owners pay particular attention to the way shelving and displays are laid out throughout the store. He said the design should provide ample room between aisles for several customers to try on and test out shoes at any given time.

Nu-Era and nu-era.com are services of The Nu-Era Group, LLC -the industry leader in store fixtures, supplies, and fulfillment. Nu-Era has been providing its customers with competitively priced quality products with customer-oriented service since 1949. For more information, visit them online at www.nu-era.com.

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