Maybe your shoe collection puts even the most avid fanatic to shame (eat your heart out, Carrie Bradshaw), or perhaps you're simply a daydreamer fantasizing about owning a closet full of peep toes and espadrilles. No matter what your shoe persona, you can't deny yourself some good, old-fashioned retail therapy, courtesy of Shoebuy.com.
The online shoe store is a virtual Mecca of footwear for men, women and children. LoveToKnow talked with Anne Crays, the company's Vice President of Merchandising and Fashion Forecasting, for the inside scoop on some of the best shoe style tips, as well as a little more about the company.
Shoe Style Tips for Women
Most Versatile Shoe
LoveToKnow (LTK): What is your favorite all-around, versatile shoe (in other words, the one that's as appropriate to wear with jeans as with a pretty dress)?
Anne Crays (AC): I find that ballet flats can go anywhere and are practical but sharp looking. A dressy patent or rich fabric flat can be worn with either denim or a dress, which makes them very versatile. Since I often have to travel for work, I find that these are shoes that are easy to pack and I can enjoy wearing in lots of settings.
Comfortable Heels
LTK: Many women sacrifice comfort for beauty - easy to do when confronted by gorgeous heels! Is there anything these fashion-conscious women do to ease their pain without giving up on their favorite shoes?
AC: Fortunately, you don't have to trade comfort for style. Shoebuy carries many brands that focus on comfort, as well as style, so women can have both. Also, I would lean towards a wedge or a platform when possible for even more stability and comfort.
Look for Fun Trends from Quality Brands
LTK: Are there any designers or styles women should look out for?
AC: Shoebuy.com is seeing a lot of really fun trends. Things that are hot include flashy metallics and high shine patents with decorative beading and oversized jewels. We think you'll see new, exciting products - consumers will be more careful in their spending, especially with the economy and gas prices, so it will have to be great service and great product that will have the consumer spending.
Best Selling Brands
LTK: What are Shoebuy.com's best selling shoes for men, women and children?
AC: Shoebuy does a great men's business through brands like Florsheim and Allen-Edmonds; a strong women's business with brands like Aerosoles and Naturalizer; a terrific athletic business through brands like New Balance and Adidas; and a very nice children's business with popular brands like Stride Rite and Skechers. We are also selling lots of slippers and brands like Crocs, which are great for gift giving.
More About ShoeBuy.com
LTK: What makes Shoebuy.com unique among its competitors, and what are the benefits of shopping with the company?
AC: Shoebuy.com is one of the largest online retailers of footwear and related apparel, with more than 500 brands and half a million products available (what equates to over $3 billion in inventory on our site). We offer our customers free shipping, free return shipping, no sales tax, a 110% price guarantee, hundreds of thousands of product reviews and lots of ways to find exactly what you are looking for in the most convenient manner. As a result, we are experiencing over 4,500,000 visitors a month and more than 60% of our customers are repeat buyers.
Shoebuy.com's quick and easy ordering process, large selection and dependable delivery, as well as our phenomenal customer service, makes shopping for shoes online risk-free. Shoebuy prides itself on being awarded by BizRate/Shopzilla as one of the top etailers in the country for outstanding service (one of only a few companies in the country to win this award five years in a row).
LTK: How did the company get its start?
AC: Shoebuy.com was founded in 1999 in Boston, Massachusetts by current CEO, Scott Savitz. The site first went live in January 2000. We went profitable early, unlike many others, and grew our revenues by being totally committed to the consumer.
LTK: What does the future hold for Shoebuy.com?
AC: We are seeing record visitation on the site and have added over 150 great brands to our site. We will be adding more luxury products which we are excited about; continue to enhance our complimentary product lines (at present, we offer all categories of bags including backpacks, luggage, laptop bags, baby gear and handbags; active apparel and terrific accessory product including socks, wallets, eyewear and small leather goods); and will surely be as relentless as ever in continuing to raise the bar in offering the best customer experience possible.
About Anne Crays
LTK: Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions, Anne. Please tell us a bit about your background in the shoe industry.
AC: As one of Shoebuy.com's original employees, I have spent the past eight years working with many of the 500 footwear brands that we offer on the site today. I attend all of the footwear trade shows, which gives me an important overview of the exciting trends coming up for the next season.
Choose the Shoes You Love
As a popular retailer in shoe business, Shoebuy.com credits its success with being comitted to consumers. They offer popular brands and high-quality footwear for today's shoppers. After choosing the best shoes for you and your lifestyle, online retailers make this company it easy to purchase the shoes you crave.
