Shoe shopping has become a craze here and is not merely for fulfilling the need.
Today buying shoes is a hobby. It is to make oneself feel special and beautiful.
Some women like Stacey Buzay of Maplewood who claims to own around 60-70 pairs of shoes, consider thisobssesion as quiet normal.
Meanwhile, the study by The US Commerce Department supports this belief, as the footwear sales were raised 10.5 percent by November 2005.
Bill Boettge, Former President, National Shoe Retailers Association, notes that the timing of this hype should not be ignored. With the gas price hike and the war in Iraq, people tend to do more things to feel better.
A shopping spree has been the traditional way to lift ones spirits.
Amanda Nagel, the Sales and Membership Coordinator, agrees that the stress of the world around us makes women shop more often.
She also explains that whereas while buying clothes women get conscious of their figure and body, buying shoes does not involve any such complications. Buying shoes somehow relieves a woman giving immense satisfaction.
Another reason that boosts the sales is the wide range of variety in shoes, different shoes for every occasion and every dress.
The prices of the shoes have remained almost the same over the years. The industry has been very competitive.
Gail Thoen, a Psychologist and Professor at the University of Minnesota, gives a rather psychological explanation, saying that protecting the feet was a primal need. Shoes offer comfort and displays wealth.
She also warns that this shoe fetish can become as addictive as the chemical addiction.
A person is not consciously aware of the problem but the bills show them the reality.
The person with serious problem should seek help from a professional or join a support group.