Imagine being asked to design the perfect footwear store. Where would you start?
Firstly, you would probably want a highly trained sales-staff, knowledgeable not just in shoe-fitting, but also in the most common causes of foot complaints. Next, you might decide to fill the store with shoes designed for comfort - but which look good as well. You might also decide to have a Podiatrist (HPC registered foot expert) on-hand to offer assessments and prescribe relief. Lastly, you would probably want the store to be modern, stylish and easily reached.
Sounds too good to be true? Well, not any more…
Following the success of FOOTWISE’S first store, which first opened in Guildford in May 2005, a second FOOTWISE has now opened in Kensington, London. A new concept in footwear (and foot care) retailing, FOOTWISE specialise in finding solutions for tired, damaged or uncomfortable feet. All their sales-staff are trained in basic biomechanics and can recognise and advise on most common foot conditions (including their Latin names!) and can recommend from a huge range of suitable footwear and specialist insoles too.
Each of the stores also features a clinic where a Podiatrist, trained in biomechanics, can analyse and assess the structure and condition of the foot so that solutions can be found. Sometimes, this might simply mean recommending a particular type of shoe to match your foot or designing a set of exercises.
In other cases, it might involve prescribing corrective footbeds (orthotics) which can effectively treat a wide variety of conditions (including pain in the in the feet, ankles, knees, hips and lower back). These are created on an advanced foot-scanner and CAD-CAM mill which is able to create footbeds quickly and for less than you might normally pay. (For an even less expensive option, the scanner can also automatically recommend off-the shelf footbeds from over eighty different shapes and sizes).
If you already have orthotics, then you’ve probably discovered that finding suitable shoes to accommodate them can be quite a challenge.
They offer a huge selection of footwear with removable footbeds (including sandals), all of which have been selected to look good too. In addition, they can also cater for extra large widths, unusual sizes and shoes designed to improve posture and gait.
It’s no wonder, then, that FOOTWISE was recently voted ‘Comfort Footwear Retailer of the Year’ (Drapers Footwear Industry Awards May 06), being described by the judges as “…a pioneer in the footwear market…re-writing the rule-book with its sophisticated modern approach”.
So if FOOTWISE sounds like the kind of store you’ve been waiting for, then why not pay them a visit. Their stores are located at: 14 Kensington Church Street, London (near High Street Kensington tube); or The Friary Shopping Centre, Guildford, Surrey. Both stores are open seven days-a-week.
For more information, call (01483) 455586 or visit their web-site at: www.FootwiseUK.com
Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 2-Nov-2006
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