When was the last time you shopped from an Adelaide-based shoe store?

Online shoe shopping is undeniably both easy and convenient.

It opens opportunities for us to find a variety of shoes in a range of price points and styles, from anywhere in the world. However, online shopping from overseas retailers can often leave much to be desired in terms of customer service.

If you’re buying your new pair of shoes online, opting to buy from an Australian-based online shoe store often means local support staff, great product quality and excellent customer service. Or, if you’re located near the outlet, browsing their online store is a fantastic way to get an idea of the product you’re looking for before you head in store.

Shopping locally from family-owned businesses, such as Ian’s Shoes for Women, has a huge number of benefits, not only for you but for the wider community and economy.

Here are our top six reasons to shop locally for your next pair of shoes.

1. Get to know the family behind the business

When you shop at a local retailer, you’ll often be supporting a family owned and run business. Ian’s Shoes for Women is an Australian owned, Adelaide shoe store. We are passionate about helping our customers find their perfect new pair of shoes, and our local business mindset has helped us to provide unparalleled customer service for over 30 years.

2. Support the local economy

When you buy from a local, family-owned business, such as Ian’s Shoes for Women, you’re ensuring your well-spent money stays within the local community. This often helps to ensure the business can sustain their operations, including staff, building rent or maintenance, as well as business costs such as internet access or accounting software or services.

Local businesses often support other local businesses within their own community, which also bolsters the local economy and encourages positive community spirit.

3. Encourage vibrancy in your community

Shopping for your shoes locally also has the added benefit of not only supporting businesses financially, but helping to create diversity and vibrancy in local shopping districts.

Think of The Parade at Norwood or Jetty Road in Glenelg; the streets each have their own unique character and feel, thanks to the local businesses on each strip. Ian’s Shoes for Women has a shoe store at each of these locations, and each contributes its own distinct character to its surroundings.

4. Personalised service

Local businesses hire local people, and this means personalised service; putting the customer first. At Ian’s Shoes for Women, we take pride in the personalised service that we offer to each and every client at our Adelaide-based stores. Even when shopping online, our local staff are more than happy to assist you to find your perfect fit, colour or style.

If you shop in-store regularly, you might also find that you get to know your local sales assistant quite well! This is the hallmark of great service: our team are based locally and know their community well, which means they’re able to provide fantastic service time and time again.

Watch the clip below to hear how Suzanne from our Glenelg Store helps each and every one of our clients with personalised service.

5. Expert, specialist advice

Shopping locally is a great choice when you’re looking for quality advice or expertise. When you love what you do, it shows - and our team love helping our clients find their perfect pair of shoes. Our team are experts in helping you find your perfect fit, and we’re confident you’ll find the perfect pair of shoes for any occasion.

In our Adelaide-based shoe stores you’ll find comfortable and fashionable shoes from a range of brands and in a variety of fashion-forward styles. We also have a huge range of orthotic friendly and podiatrist approved shoes that don’t skimp on style.

6. Hassle-free returns if things aren’t right

Products bought from overseas retailers can sometimes mean painful returns or exchange processes. That’s not the case with local businesses!

For example, with Ian’s Shoes, you can rest assured that if for some reason your order isn’t quite right, we’re happy to help you exchange or return your unworn shoes within 14 days of dispatch. You can return your purchase to four of our Adelaide locations - Norwood, Glenelg, North Adelaide and Hyde Park - or you can choose to post your return to our online store office. Our Adelaide-based customer service team are happy to liaise with you to ensure this process is as smooth as possible, so you can enjoy your new purchase as soon as possible.

Since our doors first opened in 1987, Ian’s Shoes for Women has had a philosophy of providing the best quality shoes that are both comfortable and at the forefront of fashion.

Whether online or in store at one of our five Adelaide locations, we are ready to help you find the perfect pair of shoes for any occasion.

Browse our new arrivals online or visit us in store