UK MNer with a child aged 18 months - 11? Please complete a survey for Brantano about children's shoes - £100 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

We've been asked by Brantano to find out about Mumsnetters' experiences with their children's shoes.

This survey is open to UK MNers with at least one child aged between 18 months and 11 years old.

Everyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £100 Brantano voucher.

Here's the link - www.surveymonkey.com/r/V2SFFCX

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Donr

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I just had a thought Brantano, but if you're trying to convince parents that we need to get our shoes expertly fitted by "experts" to avoid ill fitting dangerous shoes...wouldn't you have much more credibility as a company if you didn't make money selling heels to toddlers?

Also MN i would love it if you had anything to say about the shoes Brantano are selling to small children? Are you comfortable taking money from a company that sells these to children?

Have you given up on Let Girls be Girls and Let Clothes Be Clothes?

Type in "heels" in to the Brantano search function and the very first suggestion is "heels for kids".

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@FertileUrkel

Also MN i would love it if you had anything to say about the shoes Brantano are selling to small children? Are you comfortable taking money from a company that sells these to children?

Have you given up on Let Girls be Girls and Let Clothes Be Clothes?

Type in "heels" in to the Brantano search function and the very first suggestion is "heels for kids".

Hello FertileUrkel. The thinking behind LGBG was to give voice to a fairly widespread sense of disquiet among MNers about clothes and accessories playing on an adult version of sexuality. As such, we (MNHQ) tend not to make pre-emptive decisions about certain items being acceptable or not - the idea of the campaign was to encourage a greater awareness among retailers, and put some power in the hands of parents. Obviously some items (t-shirts saying 'future porn star' and so on) don't take much deliberation, but strappy sandals with a small heel seem to us to be more open to argument - quite a lot of parents might buy something similar for a party or for dressing up? Anyway as ever we're up for hearing what you think.

The NHS has very clear guidance that heeled shoes for children should be avoided, even for occasional use. Play shoes, and dressing up is one thing - but what Brantano are selling is the idea that because these shoes are on the shelf, they are safe and practical footwear for girls. They are not according to the experts, including the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. Children's feet are different to adults, and the bones in a girls foot will continue developing up to the age of 14. Until then, they need practical, supporting shoes - and that doesn't include heels.

I find it disturbing this is being explored as a matter of taste by Mumsnet, and this is why we are going to launch our #Healthnotheels campaign to remind retailers of their code of conduct with regards to responsible retailing and make the warnings of health experts really really clear to parents.

Can I also add that Brantano have been one of the worst for not just selling high heels (and small point heels that create even more instability) but also marketing them as fun and practical footwear (under "play" signs etc)

The damage to a girls foot from wearing heels, wedges or ballet flats, can be permanent.

Absolutely spot on! I am amazed that Mumsnet would entertain Brantano given their Let Girls Be Girls campaign...

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Where's the thread to review fitting in stores?

Note to Brantano: The majority of the options regarding foot health would have been better phrased "could" or "can't" as poorly fitting shoes aren't the only reason behind some of the conditions.

It might have been interesting to ask whether people were asked in store if they wanted to be fitted - can't remember the last time I was approached, it's usually diy.

If the fitter does a good job of measuring but then is clearly trying to get you to buy the shoes that are the most expensive then parents may start to ignore the advice. Better to ask if the customer has a budget in mind and try to get the best fitting shoes in that range.

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Just to comment, regarding getting shoes fitted; I always get my dc's feet measured and fitted for school shoes as they wear them so much, but less so for things like trainers or sandals.
We usually shop in Clarks as there is a conveniently located store.
The last school shoes that we purchased for my dd left her heels covered in blisters. We returned to the store the following day and they exchanged them for a better fitting pair with no questions asked.
They apologised, saying that a well fitted pair of shoes should never leave blisters.
I have never shopped in Brantano, but a friend recently had a similar problem and Brantano apparently refused to exchange the shoes.

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And re "expert" fitting, we have always used Clarks, until they brought in the ridiculous iPad fitting app. It has never once measured my children's feet correctly. Last time was the last straw. The app claimed my DD was a whole size smaller in February than she'd been measured at in September last year. The fitter brought out that size shoe, forced it onto DD's foot, and claimed it was a perfect fit despite DD not being able to walk/run around the shop. Even after a few minutes of trying it, the shoe left red marks on her feet.

We went to JL instead, where they still use the old fashioned manual foot measurers. Lo and behold, she'd gone up a full size, not down

We try and use an independent fitter in the sales.
Then I get the next size up from EBay when needed.
I used a high street fitter, then by way of experiment used the same chain in a different town. A different size was offered.
Parents should realise that the experts fitting shoes often aren't.

A few notes about Brantano, we shopped in here today. Both children (DD1 9 Yrs & DS1 2 Yrs) had their feet measured. On a good note we received fantastic customer service. We asked for a certain price range which they stuck to. We bought some lovely Clark Sandals for our son. Whereas with our daughter we dod come away with no shoes, due to there not really any being suitable (yes heels, but also colours i didn't like etc). I really don't want my daughter wearing heels at 9 yrs old. But what i am trying to say is they catered really well for my sons age but not my daughters x

Done. Sad to see support of shoes wasn't on the list.

Interesting that all the things they raise are all the reasons why I would never buy school shoes in Brantano. Which does somewhat bring into question why I am completing the survey to win a voucher . I would use them for occasional shoes, or possibly trainers, where I feel more comfortable checking the fitting myself, but honestly wouldn't trust their fitters the way I trust our local independent shoe shop, who frequently check my DC's shoes and send us away saying that what they have is still fine. They also checked DC1's first baby shoes (cruising stage - they never had shoes before that) on DC2 and told me they were a perfect fit and there was no point buying new ones .

Done. Question 1 assumes they don't walk to nursery - my DD does!