Back to School with Brantano

I cannot believe I am saying this but it is time to start thinking of picking up the kid’s school uniform already as the new term starts in just a couple more weeks.

I always recommend your start buying new uniform essentials as early into the summer as possible as the size you need invariably goes out of stock if you leave it to the last-minute, or the shops become packed solid with people all trying to get feet measured and buy shoes.

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to our local Brantano to check out their new school range. I have to admit that I have not always got on with Brantano as find their range of stock very limited, but I was really surprised by what I found this time.

They now stock a wide range of boy’s and girl’s school shoes, including well-known brands like Hush Puppies, Clarks and Start–Rite with all the benefits of going into a specialist store and getting their feet measured properly.

All Brantano’s expert fitters are trained by top brands like Clarks, Hush Puppies and Start Rite and they don’t call them an expert until they’ve had at least 25 supervised fits.

Taking three, sometimes four children, in to have their feet measured and shoes fitted is always a challenge for me as it can be tricky remembering which one was which size, especially if they are fairly close together. Brantano combat this by writing it down so you know what size you are looking for!

Once measured, the kids got to choose which styles they wanted to try out which were on display in their aisles. Once they had made their selections Abi, the assistant looking after us, headed to the stock room to get the correct sizes.

As we bought their school shoes so early in the summer holidays I made the decision to go half a size larger than they measured to allow for growing room, knowing that I can go back and exchange them if need be nearer the time, as long as they are unworn.

Getting the kid’s school shoes early in the summer was a genius idea, there were no queues, stock levels were high and the kids got the shoes they wanted. Abi was fantastically patient with them, especially Sebby who hates having his feet measured. She provided socks so Eliza could try on shoes (she had worn sandals), thoroughly checked that the shoes fitted and looked after us from the start of our shoe shopping experience right through to the end.

I was really impressed with Brantano. They have ranges to suit every pocket and I like the fact that I don’t have to traipse between various stores to try different brands, although we ended up buying all Clarks this time.

Disclaimer: We were given two pairs of shoes in return for a review of Brantano’s service. All thoughts and opinions are our own.