What does increased inclusivity in fashion look like in 2024? In recent years, it’s been at the forefront of industry innovation, and has hit the front pages this year, from star Paralympic champions gracing magazine front covers and to blind models storming the runway at Copenhagen Fashion Week.
For fashion footwear retailer schuh, who has long prioritised fuelling change and funding the future of inclusivity in the footwear industry, finding innovative ways to expand how disabled people can engage with the latest styles and brands is a forever commitment. This week, schuh has announced the introduction of single shoe purchases across all its stores, supporting as many sneaker-heads and heels-lovers as possible to visit its stores and feel valued.
From Friday 30th August, customers who require only one shoe due to a limb difference or disability will be able to purchase a single shoe in-store. The single shoe will be taken from a new pair, and a 50% discount will be applied. For customers unable to get to a schuh store, the initiative is also available via schuh’s customer experience team.
“I am delighted to be able to roll out single-shoe purchases to all schuh stores. We have been doing it via our Customer Experience team for some time, but now, even more people will have access to our hottest brands and products through this inclusive product offering,” explains Chief Retail Officer, Neil Partington.
The initiative is part of schuh’s ongoing commitment to disability equality, actively seeking to understand better spotlight and support for its disabled customers, employees and the wider community.
Image descriptors and enhanced social content such as subtitles ensure content is accessible. 10% of all e-commerce product imagery shot this year features disabled models or models with visible differences. schuh also observes quiet hours in a number of stores and has a social stories resource available on its website to showcase what to expect when shopping in schuh stores.
Alongside this, the schuh learning and development team continues to offer its store staff disability confidence training and neurodiversity training so they have the knowledge, understanding and practical approaches to provide additional support and adjustments to customers.
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