Porter T. Jones
Intimidated by hefty costs and inventory headaches, specialty stores are turning to Porter T. Jones to help add footwear to the floor.
Footwear News
Our Firm
Porter Jones knew that a wardrobe didn’t begin and end with clothing. His experience as a clothing buyer confirmed that every well-dressed man needs perfectly matched shoes and that meant opportunity. In 1948, as a sales representative for E.E. Taylor (now known as Cole Haan), he walked into a men's haberdashery to make a sale. The owner told Jones he'd love to buy the line, but didn't have money to pay for the shoes, and he didn't know anything about selling footwear. To this Jones replied, "What if I buy the shoes for your store, and we'll split the profits?" The owner agreed, and the deal launched one of the first leased shoe departments in the country.
Since that time, the family has built on this tradition and now serves select men’s stores nationwide. Our business is built on trust and partnership. We build your store image by personalizing an inventory to your clientele and market. And we train your team to complete the look on every sale. We’re invested in your inventory and the success of your business.
Our Partnership
The secret of success is a working partnership. You bring the clientele, the space and the sales team. We bring men's footwear expertise and invest in a personalized brand assortment that complements your soft goods. Whether you target a look that’s traditional, high fashion, casual or a blend, we build your business through great service, added convenience and the ideal inventory for your customer.
Our Process
Assessment
Selling men's shoes isn't difficult. The real challenge is in personalizing the inventory to your clientele. That process starts with assessment. What makes your business tick? Beyond your brand and culture, who is your customer? What image are they projecting today and where is that heading next season?
Buying
We canvass all of the top vendors to find those who fit your business. We work in partnership with you to select the right styles, sizes and inventories to make the most of your space and customer preferences.
Sales Support
With a bit of training and new perspective, your sales team will find it natural to extend the sale from soft goods to footwear. We offer product education and incentives to inspire this process.
Reporting & Trend Analysis
Spot on buying is only possible with historic sales reports and an understanding of your store’s overall trends. We work with your management team to make each season’s buys even more effective than the last.
