Fleet Feet • Sorita Discusses Virtual Incentives
A conversation with Sorita at Fleet Feet
Website: fleetfeetwestreading.com
What service are you providing:
We are doing virtual shoe fittings via Zoom, providing curbside deliveries for all sorts of running and workout needs. Fulfilling ecommerce orders for fleetfeet.com. We posted a virtual tour of the store on FaceBook so our customers would see products that they may need. As well as inspiring runners to get out and run solo.
What incentives are you providing:
We are posting run challenges weekly on Instagram and Facebook with chances to win prizes. (#berkssolo and #TogetherWeMove)
How have you modified your daily business flow for COVID-19?
Our doors are closed. Our General Manager (Zach Barker) and Assistant Manager (Alex Watson) take turns in the store with virtual fittings, ecommerce and curbside fulfillments. In addition to their normal duties they are constantly cleaning. I am working from my home office and staying in close touch with vendors, lenders, and other running stores.
What positive thoughts can you share about the “new” way of doing business?
Our running community is even more active with encouraging each other on our new Facebook page “Berks County Solo Runner”. There seems to be more of an awareness to runners about the importance of supporting your local shops.
What are your challenges?
Our business is based on customer service and we pride ourselves on the personal touch of footwear and apparel fittings. It is a challenge to fit shoes without the person and foot in front of you, but we are doing our best with virtual fittings!
We also host a lot of fun events from the store which is not possible now with Covid19. We are putting on a virtual race (pick a distance from 5K, 10K, 13.1 to 26.2 miles). Race participants will receive a technical shirt (Running is Not Cancelled), bib #, and medallion. All of the race swag is produced by local suppliers.
What is the best tip/quote/idea you have learned from this experience so far?
Running is not cancelled! (we can stay active for our health and sanity even with social distancing)
What have you been watching /listening to/eating/making this week?
I am not one to sit still, as my friends like to say I am like a human pinball. I am making sure to get outside daily and run or walk (normally with my trusty companion – Guinness – the dog). Also, making sure that I check off our weekly running challenges (they are fun and motivating). I have been roasting lots of veggies to have on hand, these are especially handy when I am in the middle of attacking lime tortilla chips or chocolate bars (ha).
Other thoughts?
We will get through this and my hope is that the Avenue will have a resurgence and that for months it will be like small business Saturday. In the meantime, please stay away from others, smile, wave to others from a distance and when the heck can my husband go back to teaching???
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