The European sense of style has always been towards favoring the classics with greater emphasis on being dressed in high quality, proper-fitting clothing as well as being well-shod in a manner that reflects chic charm rather than reveals social rank (thought the latter could well be more subtle level aimed at by many of the moderns). Shoes stores then too, much like apparel stores, now aim at stocking styles of footwear fashion that are the most flattering as opposed to merely functional, as was the norm some hundred years ago. Even in the late 1920's and the early 1930's, when hand-made shoes grew costlier due to the efforts and materials put into crafting lace, satin, silk, gems and ribbons into the boots and slippers, the automated shoe making machines (sewing machines led the way for mechanization of shoemaking industry and shoes store became a major exclusive outlet point for discerning dressers) began the trend for the modern shoes store as we know it today.
The current trend towards shopping for fun and pleasure as opposed to a basic need for protective footwear or meant for a special occasion has made market-savvy shoes store owners strategically locate their shoes store in malls and hotels boutiques where shoppers looking for clothing and associated gear may get interested in entering the footwear sections. Referred to as strategic placement marketing, the aim of these shoes store owners is to entice more strollers and average Joes and Janes to dash into a neatly, fashionably decorated shoes store when going past a striking window décor that promotes a strong designer look. For this purpose, many modern day shoes store owners hire window decorators to arrange themes and back-drops for the main shop window display that is aimed at highlighting the attractions of the latest footwear designs along with accessories such as hand-bags, gloves, matching or creatively contrasting wallets, belts and hats under mood lighting; their mission being securing higher sales in the shoes store by glamorizing the concept of the latest range of shoes in the window display so that potential customers get interested enough to take a closer look and that's time enough for an attentive salesperson to zone in.
Of course, fashion trends and the partiality towards certain big names in shoe designing such as Roger Vivier, Ferragamo, Andrew Geller, Charles Miller, Seymour Troy and Dan Palter did influence the sales of shoes store ranges in the 30's and early 40's brought in styles like the platform, open toed sling-backs, colored leather, cork-soled platform shoes and wedge-heels, but later times (1980's and 1990's) also gave way to a shoes store revolution of sorts. Trasko, Andre Pergugia, O'Keffe, Perugia, Liz Rene as well as Scap and Balenciaga ruled the roost at almost all major shoes store outlets with H &M Rayne (the Queen Mother's shoe makers) remain an all-time favorite with shoes store everywhere wanting to copy their classic designs.
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