The Footwear Retailer

In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with Terry Schalow, Executive Director of the Running Industry Association (RIA), to explore how independent run specialty stores continue to grow—even amid inflation, tariffs, and supply chain uncertainty.

Terry shares the three pillars of RIA's support strategy:

→ Elevating retailers through tools like freight savings and product data systems

→ Strengthening ...

In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with siblings and second-generation owners Morgan and Everett Kunitz of Kunitz Shoes—a proudly independent retailer that’s scaled with intention, weathered challenges, and built a private label brand that speaks directly to their Edmonton customers.

From navigating family succession to building out a highly functional eCommerce platform and crossing oceans to sour...

In this episode, Melodie van der Baan, co-founder of MaxRetail, dives deep into one of retail’s most persistent challenges: excess inventory.

Rather than starting with her background, Pete will immediately lead with a thought-provoking question to set the stage for a conversation packed with actionable insights.

Listeners will walk away with:
✅ A better understanding of how excess inventory impacts their business.
✅ Practic...

Pete Mohr welcomes Dane from Management One for a no-nonsense conversation about one of the most critical and misunderstood aspects of retail: inventory. They explore the difference between inventory management and inventory planning, why open-to-buy isn’t outdated, and how retailers can use data to stop guessing and start profiting—even in uncertain times.

What You’ll Learn:
 → Why slashing expenses won’t save your store
 →...

Want more customers walking through your door? This episode is a masterclass in marketing for independent shoe store owners. Pete is joined by Kody Fitzjerrells, founder of Omni Digital Group, to unpack the biggest marketing mistakes retailers make—and how to fix them.

💬 You’ll hear about:

→ The "Five-Mile Famous" strategy that puts your store in front of the right people
→ What most retailers get wrong about Meta ads...

In this powerful conversation, Pete Mohr sits down with industry legend Alan Miklofsky to unpack the real reasons some footwear retailers thrive—and others close their doors too soon. From building a business that's not dependent on you, to understanding KPIs, valuation, and exit readiness, this episode offers essential strategies for every independent shoe store owner.

💬 Topics Covered:
 → How to calculate selle...

Struggling to grow your footwear retail business without getting overwhelmed? Josh Habre shares how he expanded from 6 to 15 stores, mastered acquisitions over openings, and built a leadership structure that fuels success. Learn how to apply EOS systems, decision-making frameworks, and succession planning to your business—whether you're a single-store retailer or managing multiple locations.

💡 Key Takeaways:
 → How to scal...

Independent retailers struggle with declining foot traffic, social media overwhelm, and marketing fatigue. But what if there was a way to turn things around? In this episode, Pete Mohr sits down with social media expert Crystal Vilkaitis to uncover strategies that help retailers grow their business, connect with customers, and increase sales.

What You'll Learn:

→ The best ways to use social media to attract loyal customers

→ How ...

Are you a footwear retailer looking for expert mentorship, networking opportunities, and business growth strategies? In this episode, Pete Mohr sits down with Mark Denkler, President of the National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA), to discuss how independent retailers can access exclusive industry resources to grow and future-proof their businesses.

Learn how to:
→ Connect with a powerful retail network that helps you suc...

Do you ever feel drained at work or stuck in a routine that doesn’t align with your strengths? It doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr introduces the Best Job Blueprint, a strategic tool designed to help you align your work with your strengths, passions, and goals.

Learn how to:

→ Define your dream role and ideal workday.
→ Align your tasks with what energizes you.
→ Identif...

What is your business worth? For many footwear retailers, the answer isn’t clear. In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr introduces the Business Value Blueprint, a practical framework to align your operations, grow profitably, and build a legacy. Discover the 6 Ps of Retail Success—Promise, Product, Process, People, Promotion, and Profit—and how they connect with the CMA Leadership Core of communication, manage...

In this episode, Pete Mohr speaks with Mark Wagner, a sixth-generation retailer and HR Director at Shoe Fly, about how to lead and scale a successful retail business. Learn how Mark integrates legacy with innovation, creates impactful onboarding processes, and aligns his team for sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways:
• How multi-generational leadership shapes business growth.
• Building a scalable onboarding process with digita...

In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr welcomes retail expert Bob Negen of WhizBang! Retail Training. They discuss how independent retailers can thrive by creating a customer-first culture, mastering sales techniques, and providing exceptional experiences that keep customers coming back. Bob shares his “Perfect Purchase” framework and insights from his decades of retail expertise.

Key Takeaways:
• ...

In this very first episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, host Pete Mohr dives into the challenges of running a shoe store and how you can take back control of your business. Learn how to simplify the chaos, implement proven strategies, and reclaim your time and profits. This episode introduces the Business Value Blueprint, focusing on foundational strategies, growth techniques, and legacy building.

Whether you're managing i...