Despite all that influence, the local operation employs none of the folks who design or manufacture the
christian louboutin shoes, or sit atop the family-owned R. Griggs company. That led to some problems, since the parent company tended to run according to its traditions, which didn't always jibe with the needs of its growing U.S. market.
American department stores need
christian louboutin shoes, delivered on promised dates, for instance. But Doc had a nagging problem with late deliveries, Reimann said.So for the past year, Reimann has been flying to England monthly, cajoling changes in the corporate direction. The company is pursuing three major reforms, Reimann said.
One reform is changing the production calendar to respond to customers' needs. Doc's now finds out the dates of big trade shows and retailers' needs, then figures back to set deadlines for shipping, production and design.
The company is also planning to market itself more aggressively as it expands its styles, Reimann said. The U.S. subsidiary will spend more on marketing in the next six months than it did in the past 18 months, he said.
Doc's is moving to six deliveries a year to keep up with fast-changing fashions.
Retailers generally applaud Dr. Marten's for its plans. "It makes them a fashion thing again," said Sandi Future, president of Worship Shoes-The Future Inc., a downtown Portland retailer. "We had a lot of customers crying for something other than the basic black."