We sometimes joke that you really cannot advertise to a barefooter. What would you sell? But, in the late-1960s/early-1970s it did happen.
Some stores would advertise for barefoot customers.
For instance, here’s an advertisement from Destin, Florida, in 1973.
Destin, FL, 1973
Admittedly, it’s not much, but they do make a point of saying that you can go “barefoot shopping by the sea”. They’re recognizing that some shoppers in that area won’t want to put shoes on just to go shopping, so they’re at least barefoot-friendly.
Then there’s this ad, from Arlans in Logansport, Indiana, from 1969. There’s a special for those who come in barefoot, because it’s a “Hillbilly Days” promotion.
Arlans of Logansport, 1969
[Click on the ads for larger, more readable versions.]
You can see it down near the bottom: “All customers shopping barefoot during Hillbilly Days awarded gift.”
And do you see that a pair of flip-flops (rubber thongs) cost only 19¢?
And then there’s this one, from the Woolworth’s of Fort Pierce, Florida, from 1971, celebrating “Country-Western Days”.
Woolworth’s in Fort Pierce, 1971
Their special is “10% off to each customer shopping barefooted or in bib overalls.” I’m not too sure exactly what being barefooted has to do with Country-Western, but hey, I’m all for it.
I also notice they didn’t seem too concerned about people getting injured and suing.
And by the way, for those not familiar with it, Woolworth’s was a major chain, kind of like the Wal-mart or K-mart of its day. (Believe it or not, the company still survives . . . as “Foot Locker”.)
Their “Country-Western Days” must have been good for them, because I found another ad from when they repeated it in 1973.
Woolworth’s in Fort Pierce, 1973
In fact, the promotion looks even bigger and better, and still has the 10% discount for shopping barefoot (down at the bottom of the page).
So, I guess they really valued all their customers, whether barefooted or not. Why not try to increase sales catering to them?
And why don’t they try to do that today?
The custom of giving rebates to customers dressing in a certain way seems to have died out in general …
I could imagine drugstores selling specialized skincare products for barefooters, clothing or jewelry stores selling things that look best when worn barefoot, pedicures or foot massages given specifically to barefooters …
The closest I have seen to that is http://sommerdirndl.com/ – it has existed for some time, they sell handmade dresses for young girls, rather pricey, “best worn barefoot”. It is a bit dubious, giving no postal address, you’d have to order by e-mail giving measurements. Seems to be connected to the fabric printer “Koo” … Not sure how many sommerdirndls they actually produce, but they sure make hundreds of photos every year.
Then again I see as an advantage of going barefoot that I don’t have to buy anything for it, that the activity itself is free. I occasionally go skiing where I have to buy equipment (and haul it around), then pay again to use the lifts/slopes. Compared to that, and many other sports, barefoot walking/hiking/running is a refreshingly noncommercializable activity. Some say “it would be more popular if it was marketed as a business” but then again, I doubt it would be any better if it was used to pull the money out of people’s pockets.
Apparently, you can sell nearly anything to a barefooter…as long as they let you in the door first.
I miss Woolworth! -TJ
Speaking of advertising, here is an example of the whole ‘unnatural is natural’ thing in its primeval form (at the top of the page):
http://www.cracked.com/blog/9-ludicrous-trends-in-advertising-well-never-see-again_p3/
Oh, yes, those are hilarious. Along with the “This rigid wedge keeps the bones of the foot in their natural, normal position.”