At least in May you did… shop at the small store; according to this Footwear Industry report that was published on Footwear News earlier today.

Here’s a quote from the report regarding the May retail numbers:

“Apparently, we were all buying stuff at the smaller stores and not spending money at the big retail chains,” said David Wyss, chief economist at Standard & Poor’s, pointing out the disparity between the large companies reporting same-store sales and the broader Commerce figures.

Me personally, I like the small store 9 times out of 10. You get a personal touch and usually someone much more knowledgeable about their profession and the product.

Consumers certainly cannot walk into a Target store and ask for a footwear recommendation based on conditions such as arthritis or pronation right? How about hammer toe or perhaps shin splints? Think you can get help at that big retail store with those issues? I don’t think you will, that’s where the small store has em beat!