As stay-at-home orders are lifted and in-store shopping resumes en masse, it’s important that retailers take the responsibility to keep their employees and customers safe. KEEN is helping to make that possible by creating a safer footwear shopping environment with its new Fit Shield.
The Fit Shield was built to create a “together-but-protected shoe-fitting experience” at the retail level. The “unobtrusive” design features an impermeable ultra-clear vinyl plastic shield to protect against coughs, sneezes and communicable diseases such as COVID-19 while still allowing a store employee to consult and fit a shopper.
“It’s important for us to recognize the new norms and be mindful of the human interactions inherent within our footwear business,” said Chris Heffernan, general manager at KEEN. “The Fit Shield offers peace of mind and an additional level of safety for retailers and shoppers alike.”
According to KEEN, the lightweight, six-foot tall frame can be easily moved in any high-traffic area and is ideal for stool-height service during shoe fitting.
“We’ve been talking about what it looks like to safely transition our employees back into the workplace while also determining what kinds of personal protective equipment we can offer. The KEEN Fit Shield fits the bill for our associates as well as for our customers,” said Doug Sorenson, president, Haney Shoe Stores in Omaha, Neb. “Our customers trust us for their footwear choices and it’s awesome to be able to offer a safe option for finding their fit with KEEN.”
The KEEN Fit Shield represents the evolution of the brand’s Together We Can Help program, said the company. In late March, as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation, KEEN reacted swiftly, empowering its community to give away 100,000 pairs of shoes globally to those impacted by the virus. KEEN also converted a production line at its own factory in Thailand to make non-medical, cloth face masks from upcycled materials sourced from its shoes. KEEN donated 250,000 of these cloth masks to everyday heroes and essential workers including Fred Meyer grocery clerks and their families along with KEEN retail store partner employees and KEEN employees, families and friends.
KEEN Fit Shields were made available in limited quantities to KEEN retailers beginning in June. They will now be made available to more select KEEN and KEEN Utility retailers.
