SHOE ZONE
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Shoe zone was founded in 1917 and was called Bensonshoe. In 1980 it was bought by the Smith family. A year later Wassall PLC was bought acquiring 43 stores and doubling the companies turnover. Another company, Tylers, was bought 5 years later in 1986 adding more branches. The store has continued to grow and is now known as the 'shoe giant' Shoe Zone.

THE STORE
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This review is based on the store in Plymouth although I have attended other Shoe Zone stores over the UK and they seem much of a likeness. The store in Plymouth is very eye catching. The sign outside uses 'clashing colours' orange and blue. It is a very basic but an attractive and effective sign.

Outside the store there are several baskets containing shoes that are on offer. At the moment Shoe Zone is selling a lot of plimsolls on offer and children's school shoes, in time for September and the 'back to school rush'. I must admit that I find these baskets very luring and they always manage to lure me into the store.

He store is very well organised and very tidy. I find this quite surprising as in many other shoe shops rejected shoes, hangers and screwed up paper is left lying on the floor. In this store however everything has a place and I can go straight to the section I need and usually straight to the size I need.

The shoes are arranges into ladies, men's and children's. In the Plymouth store the children's shoes are at the back, ladies to the left of the entrance and mend to the right. I know that once finding the shoe I like they will increase in size as I move down the shelf. I never have difficultly finding my size as the shelves are always full and tidy. With the shoes hanging up on the wall the larger sizes are near the back. Maybe I am a little lazy but I don't like this as it nearly always involves me getting in someone's way or poking my eye out with a sticky out pole.

STAFF
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The staff are quite lazy in this store. I have asked a few times for a shoes in my size if I have been unable to find it and they seem to take ages out the back them come out and say "we don't have it in size 7" in a dull dreary voice. Most of the time I am able to get the shoe I want but when I go to buy it the cashier is so grumpy. They tend to wave the shoe in front of the scanner I hear a beep, rustle of the bag and then "that will be £4.99". I give them my card then have to sign on the line and then get my receipt and bag. There is not conversation and the experience just seems a little depressing.

QUALITY OF SHOES
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I bought a pair of sparkly blue sequined shoes back in May for my summer holidays. I wore them every day for a month and still wearing them today and they are as good as when I bough them. The soles are very strong. Unlike many cheap shoe brands the sole has not peeled away and the sequins are all still intact. They are very comfortable and can be worn for very long periods of time without getting blisters or rubbings. These shoes were only £4.99 and I cant believe how much wear I have had out of them.

I also bought a flat pair of black shoes for while I was on teaching practice. I really wanted a comfortable pair of shoes that I could wear all day without having to hobble home. They felt like slippers and were very posh. Working in a school I really don't want to wear expensive shoes as they will only get covered in paint, snot or worse. These shoes cost me £3.99 in the sale and what a fabulous buy.

PRODUCTS + PRICE
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In this store you can get a lot for your money. A pair of flat shoes range from anything between £2.99 and £9.99, high heels range from between £4.99 and £12.99, boots are about £20 for a good pair and sandals between 99p and £4.99.

For the men you can get a great pair of trainers for between £9.99 and £19.99, walking boots for about £9.99 or smart shoes for about £25, sandals range between £2.99 and £14.99

Kids can get miniature versions of the adults shoes for a fraction of the price. A pair of trainers is about £6.99, shoes about £3.99 and sandals about £1.99. These prices are just a basic price and obviously they do range below and above these prices depending on quality, make and material.

SUMMARY
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I love this little shop. It's great for me as I refuse to spend out a lot of money on shoes that will only get ruined. Shoe Zone's shoes are very comfortable and reasonably priced. They last a very long time and I don't need to pay ridiculous amounts for them. The customer service could be a little better but that's just a minor issue. The store is very easy to navigate and I never have trouble finding what I want. I am in shoe heaven here!