How to Start a Shoe Business

Here are some of the things that you will find interesting to know if you plan on starting a shoe business:

Where to Buy Shoes

You will need to look for wholesalers of shoes if you want to start a shoes business. The internet has a large database of shoe wholesalers but it is important that you verify the credibility of the wholesalers you are dealing with. It is also best to get quotation from a number of shoe vendors so you will be able to know where it is best and cheapest to buy shoes that you will sell.

Low End Shoes or High End Shoes?

When starting a shoes business, you will find it valuable to determine who your target market will be. This will allow you to determine what type of shoes you are going to sell. You can sell low end shoes, high end shoes or both depending on what type of clients you expect to patronize your shoe company. Nevertheless, you will find it notable to know that you will be able to sell to more people if you sell low end shoes. Your shoe store business start up capital will also determine what type of shoes your will be able to sell.

Marketing and Selling

Selling shoes these days is no longer limited to opening a brick and mortar shoe business store. Many shoe business operators have realized that selling their items in the internet through eBay and through their shoe market business websites can be very profitable. You just need to have a secure payment system and a delivery service provider that you can rely on. You can provide a catalogue of the shoe products that you sell in your website so it will be easier for your clients to choose from the shoes that you sell. While an online presence for your shoe business can help boost your sales, it is still important that you acknowledge the importance of a brick and mortar shoe market business outlet because this is where you can display your products and sell directly to your customers. It is important that you choose a location where people can easily see and purchase your shoe store business products. Setting up a shoe outlet in a mall or in similar high traffic areas would be a great idea.

FAQs

Q. Best place for opening a shoe retail store?
A. Here are some tips on selecting the location for a shoe shop
- Is there enough traffic? Traffic next to a theatre might be ample but not ideal for a shoe store. Best location will be a mall, where people are already in a buying mood.
- Lookout for the existing shoe store and what is the requirement in the locality.
- Your store requires enough space for showing your items.
- Parking space is very important; people might not like to shop at if they have trouble in parking.

Q. How to increase the sales of a shoe store?
A. You can increase your sales by advertising, marketing, handing out coupons, promotional offers, increasing your inventory, meeting the public’s requirement, improving customer relation, etc.

1. filipa mafoa on 7/10/2008

Hi my sister and I have been thinking about this shoe business for a while. We have a lot of good ideas and different kinds of designs that we know will sell. What can be the first step for us?

2. Dameain Harris on 7/22/2008

This is a great way to show other how to start a shoe business.

3. kay q on 9/1/2008

i am interested in starting a shoe business. i have all my designs ready but i can not find someone to actually make a sample. where could i go?

4. Admin on 9/1/2008

kay q
You need to be more specific on your inquiry. Is that you are interested to start a shoe store or a manufacturing business? How big is your plan? Tell us more about your plan so that we can help you in starting it asap.

5. L Chereace on 9/2/2008

I am interested in opening a specialty shoe store catering to modern women who need extended sizes and widths. How difficult is this to do? How do you recommend I start this process?

6. b johnson on 9/15/2008

I want to sell high end shoes for women, men and children how do i get started?

7. Javon on 11/2/2008

I want to start shoe business but need money.

8. Annetta Sumo on 11/6/2008

Hi I want to sell a low and high end shoes for woman and children how do I start.

9. Elva Wiggins on 11/6/2008

i want to start a ladies shoe business with matching accessories, but i need capital.

10. R Diesel on 11/6/2008

i have a great idea for child's houseshoe (slippers). i need a real good prototype to be made, how do i go, so nobody steal my design?

11. singledad on 12/1/2008

I sale lady shoes for commission and would like to start my own business as I have been in the business for 2 years and ready to face the challenges. Need more information to get started. thank you

12. dilawar singh on 12/2/2008

shoes shop idea is very excellent.

13. queet on 12/30/2008

I have started my business plan (manufacturing) though I am getting stuck on determining the startup costs. Do I start with the regular business info (legal, logo, etc) or do I add (patterns, samples, etc in the startup costs as well).

14. Yoland Stephanie Davis on 1/8/2009 10:42:54 AM

I will like to start a shoe business selling women and children shoes. How do I go about getting started? What are the steps I must take, to get my business up and running?

15. Dave Tony on 1/14/2009 11:00:16 AM

I am interested in starting a specialty running store. how do you go about purchasing adidas, nike, etc...? what is the markup percentage typically? For a medium size shoe store, how much sq. ft is needed? what is a good number for marketing costs?

16. Marina on 1/27/2009 2:23:32 PM

Hi, I have already started a women's shoe business, I do all my buying in Milan Italy, every year they have a big shoe event, where all the top name shoe manufactures go and sell only to business owners. All I have to say it's a very competitive business,so you have to make sure you do your home work and have lots of cash.Good luck. Anybody want to buy my stock. Anyone interested please email me @ shoe.essence@rogers.com

17. rosalie Cooper on 2/23/2009 10:50:23 AM

My daughter and I want to start a wholesale shoe company with our own designs. Can you tell me what the purchasing terms are when a boutique buys from a manufacturer.

18. Shirley on 2/26/2009 4:17:36 AM

Hi, I'd like to start a shoe and boutique shop, but I don't know how. Please advice.

19. Aideen on 2/28/2009 7:39:21 AM

Hi, i am currently developing a revolutionary shoe with a removable heel. I have all my designs ready but i'm having trouble finding a manufacturer as I want to outsource everything apart from the design aspect of the business. I am also having trouble estimating start up costs for this kind of project. I already have outlets interested. Where do i go from here?

20. Nicole on 3/8/2009 2:47:26 PM

I'm looking to start a high end shoe business. how do I get started?

21. Samantha on 3/10/2009 7:06:58 PM

I am working on my business plan for a shoe boutique. How do I calculate profit margins?

22. CJ on 3/19/2009 2:15:02 PM

Hey whats up to all the shoe fans. I'm in to shoes to and my companies name might be C-SHOE email me and maybe i can hook you up in my BIZ hateall.slipknot@yahoo.com

23. Wai on 3/23/2009 9:27:38 PM

I am currently working on a concept footwear boutique, selling high-end shoes with my own designs. However I am at a block looking for supplier or manufacturer.

24. Philip on 4/2/2009 8:05:14 PM

I am a producer of low volume footwear. I am looking for people that have designs they want manufactured in small volumes or prototyped. Can you help? Philip461@gmail.com Thanks.

25. Howard wood on 4/6/2009 12:45:24 PM

I really want to start a shoe business, I just don't know where to start, or how to get funding for start up. can you help me?

26. tyshell on 4/8/2009 7:40:12 PM

I have a good idea but i need to get started.

27. james roland on 4/16/2009 11:55:45 PM

how do i find a vendor, i want to buy air jordans and nikes from China. Even the good quality knock offs.

28. TM on 4/29/2009 1:04:43 PM

Hi, I am interested in opening a high end shoe boutique. I would like advice on first steps. Thanks

29. pamela on 4/29/2009 5:46:48 PM

Hello and Help! I have saved about 20k and would like to start a shoe business, but is that amount enough???

30. Toussef on 5/6/2009 5:53:59 AM

I am a 23 year old Male and have lots of connections where I can get low end shoes ... but my problem is that I gonna start of at home with this business I hope it will work.

31. jerald m on 5/28/2009 8:20:48 PM

I have been trying to find someone who can make a prototype for my shoe line. Does anybody know someone?

32. IRIRASUM on 6/9/2009 1:33:43 PM

I deeply want to start a shoe business but know where to start but my problem is to finance the whole process. i have created the designs that are very much parallel with today but equals tomorrow. does anyone knows what i should do next. contact me @irirasum@yahoo.com

33. Aman Puri on 6/28/2009 3:12:28 AM

Hi, can anyone guide me where i can search for decor and equipment or stores specifically designed for shoe stores? to include displays, carousels, counters, seating couches etc etc? please help

34. Connor .N. on 7/13/2009 8:49:12 PM

Hey, I have been making shoes (painting them) for about a year now. I have many ideas for shoes. But I don't have the money. How could I get now???

35. Tori on 7/18/2009 7:58:51 AM

Hi there, I am a business consultant that develops business plans and all aspects of the market research my rates are reasonable, and I have a team of knowledgeable people on my team contact me at Odunsit@gmail.com. my rates are starting at $1500

36. Toni on 7/20/2009 10:20:20 AM

I would like to open a Bare feet shoe store in the city where I live, there are none here that I know of. How can I get the info on this franchise. I have searched the internet but can't find anything.

37. Tim on 7/25/2009 10:32:08 AM

Hi, how do i find wholesale stores that would give me the shoes, clothes i need because i cant find anything in internet. and i want to sell like some what of a jordan brand store but also, some other things, can you help me out please? thanks, Tim

38. Renjie on 8/16/2009 3:30:05 PM

Hi All, I just came back from China. I visited many relatives and friends in China that are in shoes making business. If you have designs and are interested in having them made, I can hook you up with the Chinese manufactures in China. renjie@eden.rutgers.edu

39. Nia on 8/22/2009 9:52:38 PM

I am trying to start up a shoe company! My issue is finding a shoemaker/manufacturer to make a sample of my original design. Please help. I would prefer for my shoes to be hand made. Thanx npdees@yahoo.com

40. Pat Barber on 8/31/2009 10:21:12 AM

How do you choose manufacturers to make your shoes? I'm thinking of going to Mexico to look at them. What should I be looking for? Also, what would start up costs be on a business like this?

41. Anne on 9/1/2009 3:52:33 AM

Hi guys, i export high end shoes to all over the world, all are made in leather, you can choose from our designs, or we also can make you guys design or brand, welcome to send email to me: shoesexporter@yahoo.com

42. Aayush Rohatgi on 9/14/2009 3:40:24 AM

Hi, I am aayush Rohatgi from AGRA. currently I am pursuing MBA 4th sem Rai business school in delhi campus. with marketing and finance specialization. I have experienced with 2 years of shoe designing line. My contact num is this 9999464679, 9555696824, 9871521909

43. Sylvia Sanchez on 9/21/2009 4:03:51 PM

Would like to start up a Shoe Boutique in San Jose, CA. What is the next step once you have your location, and Ideas.

44. joseph on 9/22/2009 7:19:29 PM

i want to start shoe business in Princeton area, NJ

45. Avien on 9/23/2009 12:33:03 AM

Hi guys, i am trying to start up my own shoe line but i need a manufacturer that can produce small quantities. Please help

46. mrs. robinson on 9/24/2009 10:27:27 AM

My idea is to start my own shoe line, this line will consist of young women boots particular boots for young women aging from 17 to 30. These designs are like no other, they are stylish, fashionable and of course trendy. The idea of this line is to bring creativity, uniqueness, and individuality to the fashion world. Can you help?

47. frank on 9/25/2009 9:24:56 AM

hello guys. we are shoes supports. if you want to buy all kinds of shoes you can contact me (china-wholesale2008@hotmail.com), we can provide best service to you, for high quality + low price + more gift and so on, we do long business. if you have any problem you can tell, you can also add my MSN:china-wholesale2008@hotmail.com

48. Tony on 10/2/2009 11:51:09 PM

I want to start shoe business but need money. My idea is to start my own shoe business of for young women from fashionable and of course trendy. The idea of this fashion world. Can you help?

49. Ashish Sharma on 10/5/2009 5:02:26 PM

Hi All, I want to start a retail shop for ladies sandals, slippers and sneakers. Need help, looking for a good Wholesale provider. My budget is not too high. Wants to provide some good designs on cheap and best rates. Please advice. ASAP.

50. Mr Usman on 10/14/2009 1:53:59 PM

Need wholesaler who can provide good shoes. Minimum cost. Mainly ladies line. raafi.shaafi@gmail.com

51. SABRINA on 10/14/2009 3:14:06 PM

I AM LOOKING FOR A WHOLESALE THAT WOULD SUPPLY ME WITH WOMEN'S SHOES SIZES FROM 10-13. I AM LOOKING TO START MY OWN SHOE BUSINESS.

52. Kane on 10/17/2009 7:24:51 PM

I have a shoe designer (6)designs...remarkable..... now I need a shoe maker how do I go about finding a shoe maker.

53. Grace on 10/18/2009 1:31:06 AM

How and where can i source for durable shoes, in all sizes for men, women and children, at minimum cost. Appreciate your advice, ASAP. Thanks

54. Johan on 10/24/2009 2:20:42 AM

I like to start shoe business starting from lady shoes between 18 and 30. the design are luxury, unique and creativity. Starting with small budget of financial plan. Please advise as soon as possible, Thanks, Email: Johanhartono@gmail.com

55. Beverly on 10/25/2009 10:43:42 AM

I would like to start a store specializing in women's boots with different calf widths. How do I find a manufacturer (preferably North American) that can either make patterns based on my designs, or alter their own designs and do small run manufacturing?

56. SOLOMON THOMAS on 10/28/2009 3:26:36 PM

I would like to know if someone could give me some advice on how to get a shoe line. I would really appreciate good advice and expertise. THANKS

57. Dorothy Lorenz on 11/16/2009 8:06:29 PM

Hi, i am looking for a wholesale that will supply me with quality fashion shoes for all in all sizes in small quantity. it will be a home based business for the start. Please reply asap. thanks.

Restaurant Business

Small Business Ideas

Mobile Business Ideas

Starting a Shoe Business

Where to Buy Shoes

Low End Shoes or High End Shoes?

Marketing and Selling

FAQs

57 Responses to "How to Start a Shoe Business".

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