The National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA) is a non-profit organization helping independent shoe store owners throughout the United States and Canada improve business performance.

Ten decades is a significant milestone. If you're a “Shoe Dog” who enjoys history... Check out our historical timeline of NSRA's first 100 years of work. NSRA Historical Timeline 1900s - 2010s

At heart, NSRA is still what its founders in 1912 envisioned: a network in which retailers help other retailers.

NSRA's strength has always come from its member retailers. Shoe store owners founded the Association, shaped it, developed services and programs they wanted their association to provide, gave their knowledge to each other and learned collectively how to conquer the many challenges that arose in retailing throughout the 1900s and now into the 2000s.

They believed that, in banding together, they could become more successful themselves. As they became the best, they continued to reach out, welcoming others into their ranks.

Today, NSRA members continue that proud tradition.Despite changes in the business landscape, and an ever-changing global economy, NSRA members understand one crucial business truth: Retail success means being the best.

Now, with over century of experience, we continue with the mission of significantly improve the business performance of its members through vital cost-saving services, exceptional retail education programs, informational resources, and powerful networking opportunities. View 2021 NSRA Board of Directors

NSRA members are independent, owner-operated shoe stores. The backbone of our membership continues to be the family shoe store. Overall, 60% of our members continue to carry a broad merchandise mix of men’s, women’s, children’s, and athletic footwear.

For decades, our members have been primarily located in a traditional downtown environment; however, with the changing retail landscape over the years, many today are located in strip centers or enclosed malls.

Our average member has been a NSRA member for 17 years, and relies on the discounted business services and retail education programs we provide, to keep the many costs of running a business as low as possible and gain insights on industry best practices to improve business performance.

NSRA members stay competitive through high-quality and focused customer service: Store employees know their products and their customers and take pride in measuring and fitting their customers properly. The typical NSRA member’s goal is to make sure the customer is pleased, not only with the purchased product, but also with the overall purchasing experience.

VIEW MEMBER BENEFITS

We rely on vendors who recognize the tremendous benefit it is when independents are selling their products. As a non-profit, the support from our sponsors makes it possible for us to provide quality education programs for independents, which helps guarantee the long-term viability of this very important channel.

Becoming a NSRA sponsor demonstrates [to our members] their commitment to doing business with independent footwear retailers and provides exclusive opportunities to gain exposure in a targeted audience of independents.Hence, helping them get their message and product in front of the most talented salespeople in the industry.

Forging a relationship with NSRA automatically helps our members identify vendors who want to do business them, and helps vendors reach the quality retailers they desire.

To view our current sponsors and industry partners, visit our Product & Service Guide.

To request more information on becoming a vendor partner, please Contact Us.