SHOES & Cards 4 U was opened almost two years ago by Pia Cross to help parents find correctly-fitting shoes for their children.
“I basically found a gap in the market after failing to find anywhere for children to get their feet measured in the Algarve,” said mother of three, Pia, in her Almancil shop where the width and length of children’s feet can be measured.
Catering for toddlers to late teens (even mothers are often tempted by the shop’s offers), shoes are available from baby size 18 to size 40. Products are sourced from Italy, France and the UK, and Pia even visited a shoe fair
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in Milan last year to get an overall view of the products available. Some of the brands available include Start Rite, Geox, Lelli Kelly, Pom d’Api, Fiorucci, Buckle My Shoe, Kubo and M-Kids.
“All children should have the advantage of quality shoes at good prices that fit their feet properly”, says Pia, which is why she only stocks good sturdy products and stays away from shoes that don’t offer proper support.
For example, all her shoes (she has built up over 1,200 pairs) have leather
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inner soles. On a lighter note, Pia’s trainers come with flashing lights in the soles and there is a great choice of bright sparkly shoes for girls with a penchant for pink!
Pia prides herself on customer service – something of paramount importance to her after working at British Airways for 18 years. “I like to make sure that my customers are satisfied and that they will return. Positive feedback makes me feel good and also pleases them. That’s when you know that you are beginning to succeed in the business”, she says. Speaking six languages, Pia is also easily able to communicate with her clients – some of which are from far afield. “We have lots of Irish clients, and we had a customer from Singapore this year!”
Following the successful sale of Cancer Research Christmas cards at BLiP last year, Pia now stocks a wide variety of English greetings cards which are updated on a regular
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basis. Jellycat English soft toys and gifts, pencil cases, notebooks and other children’s stationery can also be purchased from the Almancil shop.
Pia will be at the BLiP exhibition again this year with a good choice of products available for sale including cards, shoes and wrapping paper. Contact her on 289 358 014.
