Inverness shoe shop believes sales boom suggests the return of big nights out

Begg Shoes, which has two city stores, has seen a significant increase in formal footwear purchases and believes big special occasions are bouncing back.

And if some customers are getting their glad-rags on, others are heading to the great outdoors with sales of sturdy footwear also selling well.

The family business says that demand for women’s shoes and occasion wear for this spring has tripled compared with the same period last year.

Managing director Donald Begg said: “The increase in demand for dress and occasion footwear is reflected in the UK Google search data we are seeing for wedding shoes too.

“People are also ‘trading up’ with higher-quality purchases compared to the same time last year, and encouragingly, we are experiencing an overall rise in customers coming back into our stores.”

As well as seeing the tell-tale signs of a return to pre-Covid times, the business has also noticed a continuation of the big trend for outdoor pursuits.

Such is its confidence in this continued interest, Beggs has added new outdoor brand ranges.

Mr Begg said: “Many of our stores are in locations with access to a wealth of countryside and have long been destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.

We experienced a twofold increase in demand for outdoor footwear when lockdowns were first introduced, and there is no sign of a move back to pre-Covid times.

“We view this sustained interest in outdoor footwear as a more lasting shift in lifestyles than a fad during the pandemic.”

The company also says that its online business helped bolster sales when customers’ movements were restricted, helping it to a strong recovery.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.