09/02/2018
The closure of Betts Kids Shoes nationwide is a very sad time for not only for customers but for the many staff. Unfortunately with the increase of online shopping, retailers like Betts Kids Shoes who are specialists in fitting proper footwear are now in a position where they can't rely purely just on Back to School trade.
With retail being a 365 day trading period, retailers like Betts need traffic flow and trade for the other 11 months of the year. January trade for Betts Kids would always be a massive month of trade, but that business generated can only last a few months later. With Rent and operational costs going up or already at a high level and the same costs every month it becomes very hard to sustain.
What is very heartfelt is reading the outpour of support that staff are receiving from customers on the loss of their jobs. But also the need for retailers like Betts Kids Shoes to be needed in a physical state. After 26 years in retail I strongly encourage consumers to support local businesses with your feet. Online will never go away, but unfortunately if we keep using that channel all the time there is no option but retailers to close up physical shops or reduce staff dramatically.
We live now in an era where time does get the better of us. But if you can, do whatever you can to Support Local Businesses. They are the backbone of this country. If you want to make a difference to the lives of those staff losing their job at Betts Kids Shoes, go in and thank them in person for their loyalty and contribution of service to your family. Believe me, that experience they get from you is something they will always remember and cherish forever.
The Retail Ranger
We’re refocusing on our flagship Betts stores and our history in children’s shoes will end with Betts Kids stores around Australia to close, along with a small number of Betts stores and many of our Airflex stores, which will become part of the Munro Footwear group. We will reopen some stores as new Betts stores. ⠀
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Something that hasn’t changed is our commitment to you. You will still find Australia’s best Mens and Ladies shoes in our Betts stores and online. We will continue to honour all gift cards and vouchers, including Frequent Feet loyalty cards, within any Betts store and process returns, exchanges and refunds as per our normal policies.⠀
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To mark the end of our long and proud history in children’s shoes we’re inviting our customers to share their childhood memories of being fitted for new shoes inside a Betts store. They may have been shoes for school, joggers for a sports carnival or fancy shoes for a special event - generations of young Australians have left our stores with a smile. Share your memories, pictures and stories with us by tagging and we’ll post as many as possible to our Instagram and Facebook.⠀
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We would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank our customers past and present for their loyalty and support over many years. ⠀
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For more information on these changes, view our media statement on our website.
