WDB
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Posts: 7,425 
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Post by WDB on Oct 30, 2022 19:06:16 GMT
An email has told me that the shop from which most of my good shoes came, Pediwear of Halifax, will soon be no more. After 47 years, apparently, which is a decent run for an online retailer. 🤓
Truth is, I hadn’t bought from them in a while, because they’d lost my major reason for shopping there when Loake ceased to supply them and nothing else in their range went up to my size. This year they lost Crockett & Jones too, which I don’t imagine was their decision either.
It’s sad rather than critical for me, because the beauty of good shoes is that they last (sorry). The first pair I bought there, in 2009, is still in my regular rotation and can still be refurbished at the factory when the time comes again.
But where to shop now? I’ve peered through the window of C&J’s Jermyn Street shop — on a Sunday morning, when it was closed. I quite fancy a pair of RM Williams boots, if buying from Australia isn’t frowned upon in Rejoiner circles. (I could go election campaigning in them, perhaps.) And Loake has its own branded stores now, including one in Oxford where the elf who greeted me named the style I was wearing. But I’ll miss Pediwear; they were always good to deal with.
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Post by Humph on Oct 30, 2022 19:25:36 GMT
I knew the original owner. But, I am quite old.
He was called Barry, but I don’t suppose that was his fault. Pleasant guy, who always ate filled baked potatoes during business meetings
Nice little operation actually, but not especially well managed in recent times. Family members who didn’t really get it in my opinion. Oh well, another one gone.
In 1990, there were nigh on 5000 independent footwear retailers in the UK. Now, there are fewer than 500 and falling. (Failing actually)
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WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,425
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Post by WDB on Oct 30, 2022 20:36:35 GMT
Footfall?
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Post by Humph on Oct 31, 2022 9:11:34 GMT
Very good!
But yes, that’s a major factor, a recent study has found that fewer than 30% of non-food retail purchases are now made in a physical shop.
Writing on the wall for the High St etc.
That and the seemingly inexorable trend towards people choosing to buy a lot of lower quality, cheaper products rather than a few good but potentially more expensive ones.
It’s what they seem to want so the market provides it. Law of supply and demand.
Or hell in a handcart if you prefer.
The very top end of the market is still thriving (as alluded to in the watch thread) but the middle market has collapsed more or less. Different value judgments too come into play with tech products carrying more perceived value than other consumer goods.
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Post by EspadaIII on Oct 31, 2022 9:57:50 GMT
I remember buying a pair of Sketchers shoes in a small market town in north Lancashire, probably about 2008. I had heard of the brand but they were nowhere near as ubiquitous as they are now, and I think were somewhat niche. As they are now available online, in their own stores and even on discount sites or in discount footwear retailers, one assumes that smaller independent shoe shops are closing in droves.
That original pair of shoes lasted about a decade, but their similar replacements lasted for far less time and I am now on my fourth pair.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2022 12:45:03 GMT
I've found the same with Skechers. I had a pair about 20 years ago which were very long lived (i.e. many years). But the pair I bought this year, whilst very comfy, won't last until next summer I don't think. And for pretty much the same price, IIRC.
Shame.
Also Rockport.
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Post by EspadaIII on Oct 31, 2022 13:52:59 GMT
I bought a pair of Murano (a model in the Sketchers range) which were supposedly idential to the first pair I bought. Within 14 months the tongue had detached so I got a refund (thank you M&M) and have bought another pair from them. We shall see how long they last but they simply do not have the heft of the originals.
The problem today is that it is hard to buy mid-range quality. My experience of buying premium brand clothing and footwear has been very disappointing in terms of the way things wash or wear out, such that buying cheap and replacing often makes more sense. I am heavy on shoes as I wear orthotics but Loakes I bought for say £120 used to last for years. My most recent pair only lasted about five years before my little two wore a hole through from the inside... And I only wear them at the weekends.
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bpg
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Posts: 2,809
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Post by bpg on Oct 31, 2022 15:58:35 GMT
My wife and I had the same conversation this morning while in a local shopping centre. Manufacturers now appear to be focused on the 50-80€ bracket of garbage that will last one season.
I looked at a pair of boots for around 200€ the stitching around the feather edge was moulded rather than genuine stitching, glued and burst seam in wet weather no doubt.
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Post by Humph on Oct 31, 2022 16:29:15 GMT
Are you back in Chermany?
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bpg
Full Member
Posts: 2,809
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Post by bpg on Oct 31, 2022 17:28:34 GMT
Yes, arrived back on Saturday afternoon. My daughter has very generously shared her bronchitis, feeling a bit chesty now.
2,214 miles in seven days on less than three tanks of fuel at (ahem) motorway speeds. I'm sure the folks on here who do long trips appreciate a good, comfortable car regardless of the frequency of the long trips. My Volvo impresses me every time.
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