Before I worked at Stand Your Ground, I had never shopped for shoes here, always gone a department store or chain store and my visit was usually one where I searched for a shoe from a shelf of boxes, usually a sale rack, tried them on while standing in the isle, sometimes there was a seat to use. Some smaller stores may have clerks who would go to a stock room and bring out a different style or size upon request. I can’t recall ever having personal service where they checked how the shoe fit me, made suggestions about what might best suit my foot or need. If the shoes were on sale, I did my best to find one that I could cram my foot into and could live with. If this sounds familiar, you’ll want to read on to learn how Stand Your Ground provides a completely different shoe shopping experience.

Here, you are welcomed by friendly, well-trained shoe fit staff who invite you to have a seat, and begin by asking you a few questions about what type of footwear you are looking for today. Often, the client’s response is that they need a shoe for work, everyday or casual wear, working out, inside the house or walking the dog. You’ll also be asked if you have any conditions that should be considered when selecting footwear options. It’s not uncommon to have clients explain that they have a bunion, a callus, hammer toe, ingrown toenail, high arches, neuropathy or diabetes. Often clients feel that they have an unusually wide or narrow foot….Stand Your Ground carries shoes that are available in a wide variety of widths and sizes for even the hard-to-fit foot.

The next step is to measure the length and width of your feet, using a bannock…Yes, that old school foot measuring tool that you may or may not ever used before. It’s used as a guide to give a starting point for selecting shoe sizes. It’s surprising, how often clients have been wearing shoes that are not the correct size without even realizing it. The shoe fit staff member will then select a few styles from the displays, and discuss with you, why this shoe may be a good option to suit your needs.

From there, sizes are selected from the stock room, while you stay seated. You’ll be assisted in trying each one on, checking the fit, confirming that it’s comfortable for sensitive areas and that your toes are NOT touching the end of the shoe. A very important and sometimes misunderstood fact about purchasing shoes, is that they shouldn’t restrict movement of the toes, toes shouldn’t touch or rub the front of the shoe as this can cause discomfort, crowding and eventually, blisters, calluses or worse.

The goal is that you leave the store, happy with your purchase, with the confidence that you have selected the best fitting shoe possible. It is recommended that you try your new footwear indoors for a few days before wearing them outside, knowing that they can be returned if you’re not pleased with the fit and comfort.

It is a different kind of shoe shopping experience... Isn’t that the service you deserve? Remember Stand Your Ground when looking for your next pair of shoes, sandals or boots and call us to book an appointment.

Author: Marsha Ferguson