Foot-Patrol Interview!

With the sneaker game developing year by year, and with the new generation creating a different sort of demand, stores are having to keep up with differing trends. One of the best has to be Foot-Patrol. Boosting a large customer base, and the most exclusive kicks available Foot-Patrol has been at the forefront for more then 10 years. I recently had a chance to speak with Kohei (one of the man people behind Foot-Patrol) about all things limited and pressure of running a store. Take a look at what’s going on, the futures live!

Hype Beast – Hi tell us a little bit about yourself and your history before Foot-Patrol?
Foot-Patrol – I don’t know how far everyone wants to know about my career… It doesn’t really relate to sneakers, so lets just keep it simple. Born and lived in Kyoto/Japan till 1989. Moved here. Studied Fine Art at college in London. Worked as freelance painter/illustrator, and now here I am.

HB – How did you end up at Foot-Patrol?
FP – I used to work for the head office (Gimme Five). When Foot-Patrol opened up in May 2002, they just shifted me there.

HB – Was the concept of FOOTPATROL new to you? Did you feel comfortable about it in the beginning?
Well, yes, I was fine. I mean I’ve been into footwear generally, and I used to check those kind of shops all the time – probably more than the supermarket.

HB – How does FOOTPATROL work, how do you go about sourcing stock?
FP – We’re here with the aim of offering a streamlined selection of what we feel are some of the best models available at any given time. We don’t source shoes and generally deal in new releases with the occasional dead stock item. Working closely with our suppliers has afforded us the chance to stock many limited edition special sneakers.

Picture of Nike Foot-Patrol Epic

HB – I’ve heard that you have a Quick Strike account; do you choose what you want to receive?
FP – As I said above, we get what they can supply and we pick up what we think its good from the streamlined selection. It’s the same with in-line stuff. Pretty simple.

HB – With all the confusion around the Nike ‘Union’ Air 180 release why wasn’t it chosen?
FP – That was seriously crap. Honestly, I have absolutely no idea why. But some people from Nike UK/EU who allocate products had a misunderstanding with which shop gets what. You guys know we work very close with Union, but some don’t understand how these relationships work, and maybe need to do more research or consideration. Hopefully it works out okay in the end though…

HB – With all the Hype around Limited Editions sneaker etc how do you feel it’ll develop in the future?
FP – To be honest, I can’t see it developing much more in the current way. I’m thinking that in a lot of places, the old crew is starting to move somewhere else, and a completely new generation is here. From here, maybe the new generation will take it somewhere different.

HB – Are you baffled by the amount of people that queue at FOOTPATROL for Limited releases? It seems like a normal occurrence now?
FP – When I first had queues for sneakers I thought it was insane. However, the more I experienced it, I simply got used to it. I mean I wouldn’t queue for every single limited sneakers but I kind of understand those people because they purely want those sneakers. Some people queue up to buy and send them overseas but….

HB – On a side note, did the terrorist attacks in London have any major impact on business?
FP – Yes.

HB – Do you sometimes feel you’re missing out on the Nike Dunk SB craze by not stocking it?
FP – SBs are very different to the other stuff you see in some other shops and they are all wicked. I have to admit that I own quite a few of them. However, SBs aren’t everything. There are always more good products around as you know. They seem to be highly demanded in the market but if you try to look at other stuff, there is always great stuff out there, which I call “hidden beauties”.

HB – How do some of your collaboration’s come about (e.g. Adidas Consortiums)?
FP – Basically, we get an offer. Sometimes those companies give a specific model that they want us to work on, and sometimes we pick whatever we want. Depends on the case. Done couple of things that are scheduled to release mid – end November this year as you guys have seen them already – Foot-Patrol Air Max 90 & Foot-Patrol Air Stab. We’re dropping those two shoes at the same time and we are planning to make big event of it. It’ll definitely be worth coming down for the special treat. I’m working on this project at the moment too. I think it’ll be out sometime next year. Again, I’ll keep close to the chest for now…. Sorry. Keep an eye out.

HB – You don’t seem to be pushing your clothing line as much as UNDFTD and Union etc do, what’s the reason behind that?
FP – Well, at the end of the day, our aim is simple. We are a select sneaker boutique. We occasionally introduce apparel but the most important aim to be here is to supply good sneakers.

HB – What brands are you feeling at the moment? Any up and coming brands we should know about?
FP – Footwear or Clothes? Umm… I have always been into VISVIM. They are such a amazing creator. We carried some VISVIM shoes when we first opened over 3 years ago. But as the range grew it worked better in our sister shop “THE HIDEOUT”. Otherwise, TAS are also wicked – they’re one of my favourite sneaker brands. Hope to work with those guys again. Clothes wise, ACRONYM is fantastic. iDiom is super good. They are def. ultra high-end gear that you should check out. Supreme is always a top brand. Even though I don’t skate anymore, it still turns me on. I’m really looking forward to seeing what STUSSY will be doing this year and next.

HB – What’s your favourite sneaker of all time?
FP – Gum sole! I’ve liked all sorts of shoes, but something with a gum sole is the best for me.

HB – Any thoughts about Hype Beast?
FP – Great website. Real quick and wicked contents. Good work.