Putting a Comfortable and Fashionable Step Forward

 

Advertorial featured in In Touch Magazine - November 2016

Robyn McLennan had always done things a little differently. At the age of 22 when many women from small country towns were “getting married and starting families,” she was buying

her first business – a mini department store in the tiny rural region of Adelong (population 1000).

Nine years later, when profits were booming, and business was great, she sold the store and dove headfirst into the previously unexplored world of wholesale footwear, selling nursing shoes to retailers across the country.

When the value of the Aussie dollar made the going too tough in the wholesale game, Robyn returned to her first love – retail. With a plan to sell shoes to country women over the age of 35 who were searching for, and failing to find, a range of footwear that combined both fashion and function in one

comfortable package, Robyn put her plan into action.

While the words "style" and "comfort" are not often uttered in the same sentence when it comes to  shoes, Robyn was once again determined to do things a little differently and fill a glaringly obvious gap in the market.

“My philosophy was that even though you live several hours from the city you still want to feel and look fashionable. And regional women like to be a bit more adventurous than the black and nude you always find in other stores – they like a bit of colour too,” she said.

Her first Easy Living Footwear store was opened in Bathurst in 2002, followed by outlets in Dubbo, Wagga, Orange, Tamworth and, most recently, Newcastle. Aside from sourcing a range of quality styles direct from Europe such as Ara, Rieker, Waldlaufer and Mephisto, Robyn also ventured into the world of shoe design, taking inspiration from what was on the market to create a line exclusive to her stores.

She now makes several overseas buying trips each year, also visiting footwear factories in China to oversee the manufacture of her lines, which is where her passion for style and comfort really comes to the fore.

“From day one I envisaged having several stores and using the knowledge I had obtained in  wholesale, I knew I could manufacture my own shoe collection specifically for country

women,” Robyn said.

“I work with family factories in China and we choose all our own leathers, we choose everything right down to the colour of the stitching, the lining and the buckle. A lot of attention is paid to the components; the foam, the type of heels we use, the leather uppers we use, they all make a little bit of difference.

“And while a lot of fashion shoes don’t accommodate things like bunions, we design with those humps and bumps in mind because we believe you can be comfortable and fashionable.”

It is this attention to detail, alongside her unwavering commitment to customer service and satisfaction, which have been Robyn’s secrets to success during her 30-year retail career. And she hopes to continue that success during her first foray into the Hunter Region. 

Easy Living Footwear threw open its doors at the revamped Junction Fair Shopping Centre on September 30 and the foot traffic through the store during the past month has been encouraging.

“The reason we came to this area was that in our other stores we’d find almost every week we’d have somebody in from Newcastle, the Hunter or the Central Coast and some people would travel up twice a year to do their seasonal shoe shop.

“That’s what gave me the idea of expanding to Newcastle. We opened on September 30, and we’ve had a great response so far. We’re not your stock standard shoe store and if people want a six-inch stiletto, then they won’t come to us. We offer people something they can wear every day – but you don’t have to jeopardise fashion to do it.”

Aside from looking good, Robyn said her customers will also leave the shop feeling great, with all staff expertly trained in shoe fitting and foot anatomy.

“I heard a customer say once ‘Your shoes are so kind to my feet!’ When I spoke to her she had driven several hours just to visit us. This is what it’s all about for me – happy customers who get so excited when they find the perfect shoe."

Easy Living Footwear has arrived in Newcastle!

 

Advertorial featured in The Herald - November 2016

 Easy Living Footwear is not your typical shoe store. Based in regional NSW, the shoe store has focused on supplying women with fashion, comfort and leisure footwear that is often unavailable in
the country.

With its fifth store opening within the newly revamped Junction Fair Shopping Centre, Managing Director Robyn McLennan knows the new store will be well received in the Newcastle area.

“We’ve had many ladies visiting our regional stores asking when we were opening on the coast. They’d often make a special trip just to buy their shoes, so we knew a coastal store would be well received,” she said.

Th e company has evolved over the last 15 years, and now boasts an impressive range of quality  footwear with hundreds of styles to choose from, and a loyal following of ladies who continue to visit the stores every season.

“Our beautiful new Junction Fair store is one of our smaller stores, but we’ve managed to stock the shelves with products that will appeal to our coastal ladies. We’ve only been open for a month, and already have excited ladies returning to the store to find new styles!”

Easy Living Footwear manufactures their own exclusive product line in both the Easy Living and Audrey Avenue labels, focusing on classic fashion and a wide range of colourful leisure styles.

They also stock quality European brands Rieker and Ara, and the always popular Django & Juliette
and Zeta brands.

“Our new Junction Fair location was ideal for us. The shopping centre has undergone a big refurbishment, and our store compliments the surrounding stores quite nicely.

“There’s underground parking beneath the centre, and an easy-access ramp or lift for our older
customers.

“Our staff are fully trained in fitting, and are there to help you find the best shoes for you. Our
customer service is what sets us apart from other shoe shops, and why our ladies return time and
again.” Robyn said.

Call into Shop 21, Junction Fair, 200 Union Street, The Junction.

October is Foot Health Month

How many steps do you do in a day? While those feet of yours take you from point A to B, and everywhere in between, how often do you stop to think about the toll that continual usage takes on your feet?  

Over the years, your daily work and walking routines have a significant impact on the condition of your feet. Untreated foot conditions can detrimentally affect your lifestyle and livelihood. If your feet are unhappy, it’s likely the rest of you isn’t too happy either!!

Keeping those feet healthy literally starts from the ground up.  Hard surfaces or continual all-day movement can create stress in the feet, and means you need more support and cushioning to accommodate.

For those with foot problems like heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, bunions, wide or hard to fit feet – having the correct shoes on your feet is very important. The wrong shoes can create more issues, so having your feet correctly fitted in supportive, comfortable shoes is a must!

October is Foot Health Month – an initiative by the Australasian Podiatry Council – the peak body for podiatry in Australia. If you’re experiencing issues with your feet, we encourage you to visit your local podiatrist, and find ways to greater foot health.

Check out the links below to see our range of shoes in the categories for healthy feet:

• Orthotic Friendly
• Comfort
• Work
• Walking styles

 

 * * * * *

 
See the range at  www.easylivingfootwear.com.au or call into your nearest store in Bathurst, Dubbo, Junction Fair (Newcastle), Tamworth or Wagga Wagga! 

NEW Junction Fair store NOW OPEN!

OUR NEW JUNCTION FAIR STORE IS NOW OPEN!!   After months of fitouts and preparation, our gorgeous new JUNCTION FAIR store has officially opened its doors!! It's the first of our stores outside of regional NSW, and the first within a shopping centre location!     Our brand new staff are ready to meet and greet our Coastal customers, and look forward to showing you through the beautifully appointed store with our fabulous Summer styles! Call into the new store at the Junction Fair Shopping Centre, 202 Union Street, The Junction (Newcastle).

Our Summer Collection has arrived!

OUR SUMMER COLLECTION HAS ARRIVED! We’ve been dreaming of warmer days and longer afternoons after a cold (and late) winter, and we’re so excited to see the change of season bringing forth the sunshine!! Our Summer 2016 collection is as big as ever, with more styles and colour throughout our stores – a lovely change from the dark colours of Winter! SUMMER TRENDS: include the always-popular colourful espadrilles, cork wedges, block heels and lasercut leathers. You’ll see a shift in colour with white, silver, blue and tan featured heavily throughout the range. Dots and stripes bring in some summer fun, and you’ll love the huge range of leisure sandals for those warmer days! STORE NEWS: After much consideration, our ORANGE store is set to close in October. Our Bathurst ladies are ready to welcome our Orange customers with the same great service and styles that you know and love. Rest assured your vouchers/credits are still valid in the Bathurst store. OPENING SOON: Our brand new JUNCTION FAIR store is set to open by the end of the month.  Stay tuned for more details to follow! See the range at  www.easylivingfootwear.com.au or call into your nearest store in Bathurst, Dubbo, Tamworth or Wagga Wagga! * Styles featured may not be available in all stores. Call your nearest store to confirm.

Get yourself a Winter Tan!

Bring a glow to your wardrobe in your Winter Tan!

This season the classic 'tan' has made a resurgence with lots of hues to choose from! 

From classic dark brown, to latte and moccas - we have a little of everything on offer. 

Check out some of our favourite TAN colours and styles this season...

See the range at  www.easylivingfootwear.com.au or call into your nearest store -
Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Tamworth or Wagga Wagga
* Not all styles featured online are available in every store. Call your nearest store to confirm availability.


"MATCH THE LOOK"

 

 

 

Visit www.easylivingfootwear.com.au to see our entire range!

Exercise for healthy feet

We often overlook the role our feet play in our day to day lives, but just like the rest of your body, your feet need exercise to keep them strong and healthy too!

Your feet have some 26 bones and a complex framework of muscles, tendons and ligaments – an intricate ‘machine’ that absorbs the impact of your full body weight with every step. For those actively exercising to help strengthen their cardiovascular and muscle systems for greater overall health - how often do you remember to stop and actively work on the muscles of your feet?!

Just as you’d tone your muscles in your body, using foot-based exercises to tone and strengthen your feet can be an incredibly beneficial process. It’s not until our feet are sore or suffering the impact of our day-to-day activities that we really remember the role they play in actually DOING those activities!

Add some of these easy foot exercises to your regular activities to help strengthen those feet. As with any new exercise regime, take it gently at first and build up that strength slowly. If you’re not used to regular exercise, speak to your Doctor first.


1. POINT YOUR TOES: Sitting down, extend and stretch the foot in as straight a line with the leg, as long as you can. Release and repeat five times. 


2. ROTATE YOUR FEET: Whilst sitting, extend feet one at a time and rotate slowly at the ankle, as if you are trying to draw the largest circle possible with your big toe. Do this first in one direction, then the other – and complete for both feet, multiple times if you feel the need!

3. WIGGLE YOUR TOES: Sit with feet resting on the floor. Move your toes up and down.

4. TOE GRIP: Drop a sock or small towel on the floor and use your toes to grip and lift it off the floor. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat five times with each foot.

5. TOE EXTENSION: Wrap an elastic band around all five toes. Expand your toes outwards, and hold for five seconds; then release. Repeat five times on each foot.

6. CALF RAISE: Stand near a counter or a doorway and hold on lightly for balance. Balance on one foot and rise up onto your toes. Hold for 10 seconds, then lower to your starting position. Repeat 10 times on each foot.

7. CALF STRETCH: Sit with one leg stretched out in front of you and wrap a towel around the ball of the foot. Pull the towel back gently until you feel a stretch in the arch of the foot and the calf. Hold for 10 seconds; release. Repeat five times on each leg.

8. MASSAGE: Once you’ve finished these exercises, reward your hardworking feet with a frozen-golf-ball massage.
The icy, textured ball can get into the tiny muscles of the foot, and gives you a deep massage to soothe the sole!  Simply pop a ball in the freezer for a few hours, then roll under each foot while sitting down.


Whilst we can’t “lift weights” with our feet to help strengthen the muscles like you would your biceps, the easiest and best way to exercise them is to just take a walk! It doesn’t have to be a marathon, but taking a walk each day will keep those muscles firm and your tendons and ligaments flexible. Take your dog with you for motivation and company – they’ll appreciate it as much as you do!

If you’re just starting out and your feet aren’t used to the impact of walking on pavement – try walking on grass, dirt or a soft track to help. You’ll find as you progress that you can handle more distance and impact as those tootsies get stronger.

If walking causes you sore legs or feet, you may need to look into arch supports to help support your weight. You can often find over-the-counter arch supports at pharmacies or supermarkets, but we suggest you visit your Podiatrist if you have particularly problematical pain or injuries to contend with. They will soon advise you of the best tools to help address these issues, and can guide you through other exercises to help alleviate the pain and strengthen the muscles from the ground up!

Just like your body, healthy strong foot muscles will benefit you in a multitude of ways! Taking the time to do a few foot exercises in the morning and night will help minimise injury and keep you active in all areas of your life!

Here's to happy, healthy feet!

~ The Easy Living Footwear Team