Kids shoe shop

Lucky Dub

I'm looking at opening a kids shoe shop in my local town and I am wondering if anybody has any advice or experience in this area.

I would appreciate any help with this.

shoutman

Why just a kids shoe shop?

Rookster

Forget it! No money in it.

Lucky Dub

shoutman wrote: »

Why just a kids shoe shop?

Already an adults shop in the area, would have thought there would be a decent mark up with no VAT etc.?

Bandara

Why would you not sell kids clothing as well?

You have the mammy in getting little johnny a pair of shoes, she gets the credit card out and then sees a lovely jacket as well.

Makes sense surely?

Lucky Dub

Hammertime wrote: »

Why would you not sell kids clothing as well?

You have the mammy in getting little johnny a pair of shoes, she gets the credit card out and then sees a lovely jacket as well.

Makes sense surely?

Was thinking that as well, thanks!

91011

Lucky Dub wrote: »

I'm looking at opening a kids shoe shop in my local town and I am wondering if anybody has any advice or experience in this area.

I would appreciate any help with this.

I had shoe shops a good while back in Dublin.

Kids shoe market is good, but you need to know your stuff.

Profit margins are not as good as you would expect considering the cost of the shoes - generally there's more work involved in making a kids shoe than an adult shoe. On the positive side, there has been a big growth in births over the past 3 years and if a parent is happy with the service you can expect 4 sales per year for their kid.

I would be wary of opening in too small a town - you'll probably need population of 20,000+ to sustain a specialist store.

Brands will be important - Start Rite / Dubarry & then add in some continental brands. Don't even try to compete against the likes of dunnes / heaton on unbranded shoes.

Your very best option is to go the franchise route - Little Piggys is probably the best known franchise in Ireland. - http://www.piggyshoes.com/index.html - franchise contact details are at the bottom of the page.

Another franchise would be Clarks, but they insist on huge commitments.

Lucky Dub

Rookster wrote: »

Forget it! No money in it.

What makes you say that?

Lucky Dub

91011 wrote: »

I had shoe shops a good while back in Dublin.

Kids shoe market is good, but you need to know your stuff.

Profit margins are not as good as you would expect considering the cost of the shoes - generally there's more work involved in making a kids shoe than an adult shoe. On the positive side, there has been a big growth in births over the past 3 years and if a parent is happy with the service you can expect 4 sales per year for their kid.

I would be wary of opening in too small a town - you'll probably need population of 20,000+ to sustain a specialist store.

Brands will be important - Start Rite / Dubarry & then add in some continental brands. Don't even try to compete against the likes of dunnes / heaton on unbranded shoes.

Your very best option is to go the franchise route - Little Piggys is probably the best known franchise in Ireland. - http://www.piggyshoes.com/index.html - franchise contact details are at the bottom of the page.

Another franchise would be Clarks, but they insist on huge commitments.

Great reply thanks, not looking at a particular branded market just good quality shoes at reasonable prices. Obviously I will have to have the start Rites etc. but as I said good price is very important.
Population just under 15,000 rent between 15-20k!
Thanks

Rookster

Lucky Dub wrote: »

What makes you say that?[/

QUOTE]
I was in the business. You will need a first walker shoe such as Start-rite or Clarks. If Start-rite are supplying in the area at present you might not be able to stock them. As stated by a previous poster Clarks are very strict about who sells their shoes as regards resources, knowledge, location and population in the area. Will need a business plan. I would stay away from the cheaper brands and try and get some of the continental brands from France, Spain, Italy etc. Go to a few trade shows and speak to suppliers. They use to be held at the NEC in Birmingham every year but are also on all over Europe. Again if these brands are already being stocked by another shop in your area you might restricted from stocking them as well. It is a nice business and rents are cheap at the moment but you will have to take big write-downs on stock that have not sold at the end of the season. Good luck!

Lucky Dub

Rookster wrote: »

Lucky Dub wrote: »

QUOTE]
I was in the business. You will need a first walker shoe such as Start-rite or Clarks. If Start-rite are supplying in the area at present you might not be able to stock them. As stated by a previous poster Clarks are very strict about who sells their shoes as regards resources, knowledge, location and population in the area. Will need a business plan. I would stay away from the cheaper brands and try and get some of the continental brands from France, Spain, Italy etc. Go to a few trade shows and speak to suppliers. They use to be held at the NEC in Birmingham every year but are also on all over Europe. Again if these brands are already being stocked by another shop in your area you might restricted from stocking them as well. It is a nice business and rents are cheap at the moment but you will have to take big write-downs on stock that have not sold at the end of the season. Good luck!

Hi Rookster really appreciate the comments very informative.
Just a little confused firstly you say "forget it" then you give me some brilliant advice and then mention "it's a nice business" etc.

Just wondering did you have a bad experience or something?
I'm just trying to have every aspect covered before I go gung ho into this.
As I said population just under 15,000 rent 15-20k, what would your opinion on the potential there be?

Thanks again!