Buy shoes for poverty
Shoe lovers in Sydney can help a worthy children’s charity this week by purchasing Toms shoes, which donates one pair of shoes to impoverished countries for every pair of shoes purchased.
With a following of over two million people on social media, Toms shoe company is stocked at Hyped DC and Westfield Shopping Centres in Sydney.
“Along with being a great casual slip on, Toms employ the ‘One for One’ philosophy,” said Marketing Assistant at Hyped DC, Michael Weatherstone.
“With every product you purchase, Toms will help a person in need by donating a pair of shoes in more than 60 countries around the world.”
The company was founded by Blake Mycoskie seven years ago in Texas and LA.
Mr Mycoskie spent years travelling the globe giving footwear and glasses to children in developing countries. He was inspired during a trip to Buenos Aires to donate shoes to a large number of barefoot children.
Based on the ‘Alpargata’ canvas design with a rope sole, Mr Mycoskie’s shoes are made with simple, low-cost production.
Each time a customer buys a pair of shoes, a pair is donated to a barefoot child in an impoverished country.
“We’re also pairing up with Toms and the good folk behind Movember to support men’s health,” said Mr Weatherstone.
“You can buy limited released Toms and Movember shoes from Hype DC throughout November, and not only will you be helping a child in need but a percentage of the sales will go to Movember and support men’s health.”
As of today, TOMS shoes has donated more than ten million pairs of shoes.
“Hype DC have been stocking Toms since 2009,” said Mr Weatherstone.
“At Hype DC we sell all your favourite footwear brands and Toms is certainly one of ours.”
Toms’ marketing model has been credited for shaping the way Generation Y entrepreneurs think about business, through globalising the buy-one, give-one model now popular.
However, there have been some concern raised Toms has created a business model that requires poor children to exist without shoes, in order to market and sell its product.
