Begg Shoes

Begg Shoes, an independent Scottish shoe shop since 1866

Begg Shoes presents itself as Scotland's leading independent shoe shop, a claim the company makes on its own website and backs up with a history dating back to 1866. Its business combines online sales with a network of physical stores, and its catalogue is organised by gender and age — women, men, girls and boys — as well as by product categories such as boots, trainers, waterproof footwear, sandals, smart shoes, clogs and slippers.

A wide catalogue of international brands

The shop's offering brings together a large number of footwear brands. Among the brands featured in its catalogue are Clarks, ECCO, Rieker, Skechers, Gabor, Legero, Birkenstock, Blundstone, Barbour, Merrell, Geox, Crocs, Timberland, Toms, Hush Puppies, Pikolinos, Josef Seibel, Lowa, Scarpa, Teva, Saucony, Brooks, Altra, Vivobarefoot, Xero Barefoot, FitFlop, Fly London, Tamaris, Marco Tozzi, Remonte, Superfit, Start Rite, Ricosta, Lelli Kelly, Primigi, Garvalin, Vans, Sorel, EMU Australia, Shepherd of Sweden, among others. The company also sells its own line under the name Begg Exclusive.

Guided shopping by category, size and use

The site allows the catalogue to be filtered by category, brand, size and colour. Sizes are given in UK sizing, with ranges from 3 to 9 for women, 6 to 12 for men and specific children's sizes. Available colours include black, white, blue, brown, green, grey, navy, metallic, neutral, pink and red. In addition to product classification, the shop groups footwear by purpose: active and outdoors, barefoot, indoor comfort, running, waterproof and work and office.

Children's footwear and school advice

The children's section is divided into girls and boys, with subcategories for babies and first steps, boots, waterproof and Gore-Tex footwear, barefoot, wellies, school, slippers and sandals. The company publishes its own guides on school shoes, children's size conversion and buying tips, and offers the option to book an appointment to try on children's footwear. It also maintains fitting guides for specific brands such as Rieker, Fly London, Birkenstock and Skechers.

Delivery, loyalty and shopping services

Begg Shoes advertises free UK delivery on orders over £30 and easy returns without the need for a printer. It has a loyalty programme that gives a £10 voucher when the customer reaches £200 in spending, whether online or in store, and provides early access to promotions and new arrivals. The website also mentions services such as student discount and a price match promise.

Store network in Scotland and other locations

The company operates several physical stores. In Scotland it has shops in Elgin — two, one at 104 High Street and another under the name Shoes at 105 —, Inverness — on High Street and on Union Street —, Inverurie, Kirkwall, Perth and Peterhead. Outside Scotland, it has a store in Market Harborough. Its online activity is complemented by this network, which is listed in the site's store finder.

Editorial content and customer service

The site includes a blog with articles on brands, trends and shoe care, as well as buying guides for specific needs: footwear for nursing professionals, for bunions, plantar fasciitis, fallen arches, hard skin and calluses, and for walking dogs. Customer service is handled through a help centre, a contact form and a phone number, and the company states its own social and environmental policy.

Headquarters and stores

Elgin store - 104 High Street: 104 High Street, Elgin

Inverness store - High Street: High Street, Inverness

Inverurie store: Inverurie

Kirkwall store: Kirkwall

Market Harborough store: Market Harborough

Perth store: Perth

Peterhead store: Peterhead