With the credit crunch continuing to dominate the headlines, Brits are looking for new and innovative ways in which to survive the economic crisis. Retailers are slashing prices and offering huge discounts to get people through the door as consumer confidence plummets. Mounting concerns over job losses and worries of a recession leave consumers tightening their purse strings.
Many of us are now thinking twice before reaching for our plastic at the checkout. However, the credit crunch is not all doom and gloom as consumers are choosing to recycle their wardrobes and bringing about the rebirth of a dying trade. Cobblers, seamstresses and tailors throughout the country are experiencing a boom in business as people choose to care and repair rather than replace.
It is not just us mere mortals who are feeling the pinch; Princess Anne recently stepped out in a dress she first wore 27 years ago and the Queen has also been spotted wearing a recycled outfit. On a recent visit to a shoe factory in Manchester, Sophie Countess of Wessex followed suit and asked cobblers to mend and smarten up her worn shoes. This trend is reflected in London as shoe shiners have seen a 20% increase in trade as city boys shun the shops and revamp their shoes.
Shoes can say a lot about you and are often used as a tool to judge economic and social status. So, to keep up appearances in these hard times, don’t splash out on pricey new pairs – just give yours a little TLC. A fairly inexpensive pair of leather shoes will last a couple years if looked after properly and a good quality pair could last you over a decade! The average cost of shoes in the UK represents 0.83% of the average yearly salary. Save your pennies and spend just 0.01% on polish to revive your footwear instead.
To get a ‘good as new’ finish use Kiwi Shoe polish – this traditional polish nourishes and protects your leather shoes perfectly, providing a long-lasting shine and increasing water resistance. Each polish will cost you just 5p! [Kiwi Shoe Polish is available in Black, Neutral and Dark Tan]
Follow these top tips to get the perfect shine:
1 – Dirt and other debris can easily embed into leather. Therefore, your leather shoes or boots need to be cleaned before you start polishing. KIWI Shoe Brushes and Wipes can easily be used to remove excess dirt and debris.
2 – To polish your shoes effectively, always remove the shoelaces from your shoe before you start polishing your shoes. This is the best way to get to clean the tongue of the shoe and avoid staining the laces.
3 – For best results using shoe polishes or creams, first apply the shoe polish or cream evenly to leather shoes and boots with a brush or soft cloth. Once the polish has properly dried, simply buff to a brilliant shine using a natural bristle brush. Note that it is important to use a separate brush and cloth for applying and buffing different coloured shoes.
4 - If you prefer a more convenient alternative there are instant shine liquids. Simply remove excess dirt and then apply the liquid evenly to your shoes. The formulation restores colour and dries to an instant shine – without the need to buff.
5 – Use KIWI Protector products to help waterproof your shoes thoroughly to protect them from common stains caused by water, mud, dust, snow or salt.
If you don’t have time for the traditional ‘spit and polish’ method, the Kiwi Express Sponge is a unique self-shine sponge that provides shine time after time to any shoe colour. You don’t even have to take your shoes off!
Kiwi Express Cream is perfect for storing in your office drawer or glove compartment. This easy to spread cream provides shine and protection for leather instantly. [Kiwi Express Cream is available in Black, Neutral and Brown]
Great for high-flyers who are in and out of meetings and always on the go are Kiwi Express Wipes – because you never know when you need to make a good impression. These convenient, disposable, no mess wipes leave your shoes looking clean and respectable in seconds and fit easily into your bag or suit pocket.
# Kiwi Shoe Polish – available in Black, Neutral and Dark Tan nationwide at Tesco, Sainsbury’s,Morrisons and Waitrose (£0.99 rrsp)
# Kiwi Express Cream – available in Black, Neutral and Brown nationwide at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose (£2.49 rrsp)
# Kiwi Express Sponge – available nationwide at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Morrisons (£2.19 rrsp)
# Kiwi Express Wipes – available nationwide at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Morrisons (£2.49 rrsp)
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