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!

A little birdy dropped an email on me this evening about a sale at the TheShoeHive.com. Here’s the deal:

• 30% off all spring and summer merchandise
• Starts today
• online only so don’t go to the store
• your coupon code to enter at checkout to receive your 30% off is “SECRETSALE”

I’ve never seen a shopper that didn’t appreciate a good sale! So, here’s one just for you. Famous Footwear is blowing out some summer footwear with a huge clearance sale. The image sez it all on the Discounts.

Here are the links:

• Womens
• Mens
• Boys
• Girls

The News~Sentinel in Fort Wayne ran this API story so no need to re-write the details here. Tyler Fingerle, a teenager from Indiana is crediting his Element Skate shoes with their copious amounts of rubber with saving his life from a downedpower line accident that took the lives of two other people.

The full story.

I just read about these new flip flops (sandals) that were introduced in May, the FitFlops.  Seems like these are like the Crocs, another hard to find item?  Out of stock everywhere. 

This shoe has a claim that with every step, you will tone your legs.  It is like walking barefoot in sand.  And believe me, I was at the beach a few weeks ago, walking in very fine sand for an hour, boy, that was some workout. 
These are the rage in the UK, just arriving in the US, the #2 most sought after shoe. The word is that stock will be available in the US at Blissworld.com in early July. You can go there and preorder.

Ever hear of the Pirelli Tire Company? They make tires for your feet too. I didn’t know that until I got this email from BlueFly a couple of days ago.

BlueFly sends the best looking emails don’t you agree?

Endless.com is blowing out some fairly nice looking shoes for up to half off! I see all sorts of stuff from Sandals and Flip Flops for guys. A large selection of Stride Rites for kids and loads more here for the ladies.

I still don’t understand why this site calls themselves “beta”. In my opinion that sends a weird signal to consumers.