Tops for Shoes named one of America's top footwear stores

It is an honor few footwear stores in America can ever hope to achieve: the Gold
Medal Service Award. In June, Tops for Shoes of Asheville, NC was honored as one
of 34 independently owned shoe stores with the best customer service in the U.S.

The 2015 Gold Medal Service Award was announced by Footwear Insight, the leading
footwear industry magazine in the country, during a New York ceremony on June 3
within the former location of the famed Studio 54.

The award, which recognizes and rewards the independent shoe stores that offer the
best customer service, was based on a mystery shopping evaluation of 100 stores
across the nation that took place last March and April by Franklin Retail Solutions, one
of the top retail merchandising companies in the U.S.

The Judges rated the shopping experience using 20 criteria developed by some of the
top independent retailers in the country. Points were given if the sales associates
smiled, measured customers’ feet, provided refreshments, and whether clean socks
were available for try-ons, among other ways the customer experience was enhanced.

“The Gold Medal Service awards define what constitutes great customer service,” said
Mark Sullivan, president of award founder Formula4 Media, Great Neck, N.Y. Tops for
Shoes scored a 94 out of 100, which ranks it 3rd in the country.

Tops for Shoes owner Alex Carr said, “Providing exceptional customer service is
something we do every day, so it’s gratifying to be ‘discovered’ by the mystery
shoppers. For us, there’s simply no other way to do business.”

To see the entire list of winners, log onto www.footwearinsight.com (pg. 36-40 of May
15, 2015 issue).