BEING successful in business can mean taking small, if careful steps along the way, being attuned to buying trends and taking advantage of opportunities.
Angels Shoes is a case in point.
Launched in the 1970s by the Angels family, the store is something of a fixture in Adelaide's retail world, selling all sorts of footwear from dress and casual shoes, to boots and walking shoes.
It has occupied various locations including a site in the famed Rundle Mall before owner Naomi Dixon opened the doors on a new shop front on the balcony level of the Adelaide Arcade, off Grenfell Street.
In Ms Dixon's reckoning, Angels Shoes has an "uniqueness" about it.
"We cater for people with wide feet, long feet, problem feet and feet that need orthotics," she said.
"Our size range is 38 (7.5) to 46 (13) and we have a great range for any occasion."
Like to many other businesses, Angels Shoes has been hard hit by onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic with turnover down by about 80 percent.
Ms Dixon said inner Adelaide was almost deserted as people obey government instructions to stay at home as the battle to contain the spread of Covid-19 continues.
It means foot traffic in the arcade is down to a trickle.
"I come into the store most days to fulfill and dispatch orders," she said.
"Because I am here the door is open to passing customers but they are few and far between. Nonetheless I have to keep going because this is my business and hopefully things will be back to normal in the not too distant future.""
However, Ms Dixon said the store's loyal network of online customers has kept the doors open so to speak.
"Angels has about 7000 online customers from all parts of Australia and while we realise that it is extremely difficult to buy shoes online our 24/7 service has been so successful.
"I am more than happy to talk with the customer to discover their needs and wants because it can be hard to find the shoe that fits and is right for the occasion."
Ms Dixon said Angels Shoes maintained a record of prior purchases which often made buying easier for customers who might have particular needs.
"We know your concerns, so we encourage you to contact us to discuss your queries," she said.
"If your purchase doesn't work, we are happy to refund or offer a credit and if you do not have access to buying online, just call us and you can order over the phone."
Angels Shoes offers free delivery Australia wide.
Visit www.angelsshows.com.au or phone (08) 8227 2645, 0419 818 270 or email sales@angelsshows.com.au for additional information.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
