Story at a glance
- Zappos Adaptive has just launched a new shopping experience that allows customers to purchase single and different sized shoes.
- The pilot program comes from years of customer feedback, asking the retailer to carry single shoes for the physically disabled to purchase.
- Big name brands such as Converse and Nike have signed on to sell their shoes as a part of the program.
Popular online shoe retailer Zappos just launched a refreshingly inclusive shopping experience, in which single and different sized shoes are now available for purchase. The pilot program is the first-of-its-kind, and allows customers with physical disabilities the opportunity to purchase exactly what they need for their specific situation.
“The Single and Different Size Shoes Test Program is very close to our hearts – we wanted our community to know that we heard them, and continue to listen and innovate based on their needs and wants,” said Dana Zumbo, Business Development Manager, Zappos Adaptive. “Customer service is our number one goal, and we’re endlessly committed to ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and confident in their own shoe or shoes.”
According to its website, Zappos is launching the program as a “test” and starting with a small number of powerful brands: Converse, Nike, Kizik New Balance, Stride Ride, BILLY Footwear and Plae. The shoe retailer has mentioned multiple times how customer feedback “over the years” led to the existence of the new program, which now features single shoe options for a wide range of sizes from toddlers to adults in medium to extra, extra wide sizes.
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The new program falls under Zappos Adaptive, the retailer’s response to disabled customers looking for shoes and apparel that offered them more convenience. First launched in 2017 with just two brands, Zappos Adaptive now features adaptive intimates and underwear, petite sizes, medical wear and easy-off sandals.
“We listen to feedback, read customer reviews, speak with people with disabilities at events like the Abilities Expo, research continuously, work with experts like our Advisory Council, and we conduct focus groups to learn what people need. Although we don’t currently manufacture our own clothing and footwear, we work closely with our brands to share what we learn about customer needs so they can develop products that work for more and more people. We then bring these products together in one place for an easy shopping experience,” they say on their website.
The launch of single shoes by Zappos Adaptive was also in partnership with comedian, author and para-athlete Josh Sundquist, who said that he’s “so excited about this program. As an amputee, I’ve never been able to buy a single shoe before, so this is a game-changing moment for amputees and people with disabilities.”
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