Training course demonstrates importance of considering insoles, socks and footwear together when delivering a footwear fitting service to customers
Superfeet, the leading premium insole supplier has partnered with sock brand Smartwool and boot manufacturer Meindl to continue delivering its free training programme ‘The Fit System’ (TFS) to staff from Blacks Outdoor Retail Division.
By working with Smartwool and Meindl to deliver its training course, Superfeet aims to provide retailer shop staff with an all-encompassing training package that demonstrates the importance of considering insoles, socks and footwear all together, when delivering a footwear fitting service for customers in store.
The three one-day courses, which are a continuation of Blacks staff training on Superfeet products, were held in London and Manchester in September and October and attended by 42 Blacks retail employees. The courses involve a full day of insole, sock and footwear fitting training, which aims to help staff deliver the best fitting service to their own customers once they are back in store, enhancing the customer experience and increasing satisfaction.
As with all Superfeet ‘TFS’ training programmes, the courses comprise a presentation on understanding foot biomechanics and securing the best footwear fitting, as well as covering common fitting misconceptions, the importance of foot stability and different types of footwear. As part of the session Smartwool gave a presentation on socks and fibres and the importance of footwear fitting and comfort, while Meindl gave an overview on footwear production and its own footwear range.
Rodger Maguire, Head of Training and Development for Blacks Outdoor Retail, said: “As footwear remains an important part of our overall business it was important to ensure that whoever we chose as a training partner had the ability to not only enthuse and educate our staff, but also had the skill and experience to present the product in a logical, considered and straightforward manner. Superfeet training has met our expectations on all levels and has quickly gained a reputation for providing relevant, informative and highly commercial training that helps drive increased sales as well as reinforcing the importance of ensuring that customers aren’t put off by being “blinded” by science, whilst speaking to our footwear advisors.”
Superfeet’s The Fit System, which was originally launched in 2013 as a multi-retailer training course, has since been adapted to be tailored specifically for and presented to individual retailers. This gives them a bespoke training package that addresses their individual requirements and sales techniques and makes the training process more efficient, effective and convenient for the retailer.
Superfeet plans to continue working with key footwear partners to deliver tailored and all-encompassing training to retailers, providing shop staff with the necessary knowledge and skills required to correctly fit and sell footwear. This in turn will improve customer satisfaction and consequently increase sales.
For more information about ‘The Fit System’ or to book a place, call 0131 344 7980. For more information about Superfeet and its extensive range of premium insoles, visit www.superfeet.com
