I recently visited the Bristol Once Upon a Child looking for shoes for my kids and was disappointed with the shoe section. While the shoes are separated into boys’ and girls’ sections, they’re not organized by size. Instead, they’re all mixed together in large bins, so you have to dig through piles of shoes just to find the right size. Only the name-brand shoes are displayed on shelves, while the rest are tossed into bins. It would be much easier if the shoes were organized by size, especially for parents like me who are trying to keep an eye on a 5- and 6-year-old while also digging through bins. It just isn’t worth the hassle. Another issue was the odor. Many of the used shoes had a strong smell, and walking past that section wasn’t pleasant. If the store accepts used shoes, it would be helpful if staff used a deodorizing spray before putting them out for sale to make the shopping experience more enjoyable. I asked why the shoes weren’t organized by size. The employee responded that they would “just get messed up again anyway.” I found that response disappointing. While customers may mix things up, keeping merchandise organized is part of providing a good shopping experience. It makes shopping much easier for parents trying to find the right size for their children. I’ve also shopped at the Waterbury Once Upon a Child, where the shoes are organized by size, making it much easier to shop. I also found the prices there to be lower at the Waterbury Once Upon a Child location than at the Bristol location. I hope the Bristol store considers organizing the shoe bins by size and freshening the used shoes before putting them out for sale. It would make for a much better shopping experience.
