10 Best Shoes for Retail Workers 2020 [Buying Guide]

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Heather
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Jennifer
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Samantha
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How to Choose the Best Shoes for Retail Workers

When you work retail, the first thing you’re going to need is great shoes. Anyone who has ever worked in retail will tell you that this makes all the difference between good shifts and terrible ones. That’s where we come in! We’ve put together this list of the best shoes for retail workers, men and women both. Before you tread on down to the list, here are some things that you should know about the shoes.

Upper Material: What is the main part of the shoe made of? This is the portion of the shoe that’s going to be facing upwards, so you’ll want something that’s durable and sturdy enough to deflect any mishaps in the workplace.

Gender: We’ll let you know here if the shoes are made for men or women. This is only important because men’s shoes and women’s shoes are sized entirely differently, so you want to make sure you’re buying the correct size.

Slip Resistant: Slip-resistant shoes are extremely important for retail work. You need a shoe that’s going to keep you standing on your feet even through those long days, and with slick floors, you’ll need something that has grip.

Style: There are a few different styles of shoes on our list, though the overall most popular are the slip-on shoes and lace-up shoes. This is entirely down to personal preference and what is accepted at your workplace.

Color: What color are they? Again, this is going to be useful if your job has a dress code requirement that only allows you to wear a certain color of shoe. Most of these shoes have other colors available as well.

Oil Resistant: Oil-resistant shoes won’t be stained, degraded, or ruined by any oil that might come into contact with them. If this is a problem at your job, go for shoes that aren’t going to be affected by it.

Top 10 Products

With that information under your belt, we can show you the shoes! We’ve done our research in order to bring you the best shoes available right now. Our top pick and budget pick are our current favorites, but you should walk on down the list as well to find even more great footwear. You might just find your next work shoe on our list, so give them all a chance. Let’s get to work!

Timberland PRO Renova Slip-On

These women’s Renova slip-on shoes by Timberland are the greatest shoes for retail workers that we found during our research. No laces mean less hassle, as you can just slip these shoes on and off. The sole is a non-slip rubber that will grip to just about any surface, and the entire leather shoe is resistant to oil. This is also a great shoe for work in the food service industry because it’s solid and resists damage pretty well. for a professional shoe, you can’t go wrong here. It’s made of full-grain leather and microsuede on the inside to give your foot a little more cushion for those long days on your feet. It also gives you a bit of a heel, with a 0.75-inch lift from the sole. The entire upper surface of the shoe is covered with 3M Scotchgard so it’s resistant to stains from oil and whatever else you may encounter at work.

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VenusCelia Walking Flat Loafer

VenusCelia makes some of the best dress shoes for retail work that we found during our research. These shoes are moccasin-style loafers that come in 27 different colors to fit your dress code and fashion choices. The shoe is made of faux leather with a rubber sole, so it looks great and will feel great on the bottom of your foot. The sole is non-slip and made with special discs right on the bottom that help to massage your foot while you walk and stand. They are incredibly lightweight, so you won’t even be able to feel them on your feet. That’s great for retail work when you’re walking around all day. They can be worn as casual shoes as well, but they have a completely different design than most of the other work shoes on our list. We love that you can wear them with your fancier uniforms and still be comfortable on the job.

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Reebok Work N Cushion Shoe

These men’s walking shoes are great for working long days at department stores and other retail positions. They are both slip and oil resistant so they’ll keep you upright even in slippery situations. The upper is made of synthetic materials and leather, though it’s lined with a mesh that helps your foot breathe. The sole is incredibly cushioned, and when used with cushioned socks it feels like you’re walking on air. There is no greater feeling when you know you’ve got eight hours on your feet ahead of you. Reebok is, of course, a trusted name in shoes. You know you’re going to be getting some quality kicks that will last you a long time when you’re buying from Reebok. And these shoes definitely will. You’re going to love walking on them even during particularly punishing shifts, and your feet will thank you when you get home. These shoes help to greatly reduce fatigue from walking all day.

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New Balance Hook and Loop Shoe

One of the coolest things about these shoes by New Balance is the closure. They close with Velcro rather than with laces, which makes them easy to tighten and adjust while you’re on the job. They come in three colors, including black, white, and beige to fit the dress code at your workplace. These shoes are slip-resistant, and the sole is made of synthetic materials. They will grip onto any surface that you need them to without breaking a sweat. These are great walking shoes, and you can even use them for long walks when you aren’t at work. The all-black version is slick and great for fast food work as well as retail. These shoes are going to be extremely comfortable no matter what type of work you do, and your feet are going to thank you after long days walking around in them. They’re on the lighter side, so your ankles and knees will be pleased too!

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Dickies Athletic Work Shoe

These slip-on shoes by Dickies are comfortable and practical. The rubber sole is slip-resistant so you’ll stay on your feet even when you’re walking on slick surfaces. Plus, the outsole has channels that help to funnel liquid away. There are a few amazing features on these shoes, including the padded tongue and collar to make sure that you aren’t going to get any friction blisters. The midsole is also made of molded EVA foam that’s light and will help support your arches. That’s great for eliminating foot fatigue. There are also elastic side gores at the opening of the shoe, which is really useful for wicking away sweat and other moisture. That way, you get a breathable interior that keeps your feet dry and keeps odors away. These are some of the most comfortable shoes for retail workers that we found during our research. The padding, comfortable sole and gores make it great for long shifts on the retail floor.

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Skechers Flex Advantage Slip-On

Skechers makes these comfortable slip-ons for men. The sole is synthetic but contains grooves to help keep water from pooling under your foot and reducing friction. The upper is made of a mesh fabric that keeps your foot cool, and this works particularly well when combined with the side gores at the opening. Combined, they keep your feet dry and help to reduce odors and discomfort. The lining is a soft material with memory foam on the bottom. That’s an especially nice touch that’s going to feel great when you’re on your feet all day. The collar is padded so that it doesn’t rub against your heels, and the seams are reinforced so that you don’t have to worry about them splitting anytime soon. Everything about this shoe is either geared toward function or comfort, and that’s how these shoes earned a place on our list. The comfortable insole can make all of the difference on your feet.

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VANGELO Chef Shoe

These beautifully-colored clogs by VENGELO just had to earn a spot on our list! It’s a fairly unique shoe design for a retail job, but these shoes work well for nurses, so they have to be good. The body is made of lightweight EVA foam that’s supportive all over. It also comes with an Ortholite insole that shines through on the outside of the shoe, making an attractive color pattern through the holes. But it’s so much more than just pretty. These shoes are shaped specifically to channel away fluids and to grip even super slick surfaces. That’s part of the reason why they’re recommended for nurses, and why they make such good shoes for retail workers. They are unisex shoes that come in a variety of men and women’s sizes, as well as being available in line green and white as well. These shoes are sure to make your long shifts that much more bearable.

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YKH Platform Walking Shoes

These knit walking shoes are comfortable and great for any job where you have to be on your feet all day. The lightweight, padded soles on these shoes will make your shifts a breeze, at least where your feet and fatigue are concerned. They’re made with a sort of elastic knit, with a platform measuring about .59 inches. The insole is flexible and gives you comfort with each and every step. What we really like is the roller bottom. Not only does this help tone your legs, but it also protects damaged foot tendons that might lead to increased foot pain. If you’re going to be standing or walking around all day, you should definitely try these shoes! The knit upper portion creates a ton of ventilation for your tired feet, and they are easy to put on and remove with the assistance of the tabs on the front and back. These shoes come in five amazing colors!

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HKR Platform Slip-On Loafers

These suede slip-on shoes are some of the best dress shoes for retail workers that we could find. These are platform wedge shoes, so you’ll also gain quite a bit of height while wearing them. They are lined with pig leather that helps absorb sweat and your feet smell fresh. They’re super comfortable shoes that come in 13 different colors, including red suede with a black sole that looks pretty amazing. The sole is made of polyurethane, so it’s lightweight and slips resistant. They have an elastic band around the opening so that your feet fit inside more comfortably and securely. These shoes are comfortable enough to wear all day long and formal enough that you can wear them to a more formal retail job and still be within your dress code. You’re definitely going to enjoy the polyurethane sole after a long day walking around on concrete floors. Your feet are going to thank you!

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DREAM PAIRS Restaurant Work

The first thing that catches your eye about these shoes is that they don’t at all look like work shoes. In fact, they look like dress oxfords, which is a genius design for a shoe that you can wear either way. It’s made of leather, with approximately a 1.25-inch heel. The footbed is cushioned nearly that whole way, so you can experience comfortable walking on a shoe that looks like its all business. The soles are rubber though, and these shoes are slip-resistant so you can keep your feet even when your job gets slippery. The collar is padded as well for a comfortable wear against your ankle. There are black and brown varieties available and different styles where there are fewer laces. It’s entirely up to you, but this shoe is made of genuine leather and is going to be super comfortable while you’re working retail. And you’re going to love how stylish they are!

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About the Author

Kimberly Graf

Expert Researcher and Writer

Kimberly Graf is a researcher and writer for GeekWrapped.com. She covers kitchen, cooking, and home products.

Best Shoes for Retail Workers

Top 10 Buying Guide

Our Recommendations

Timberland PRO Renova Slip-On

VenusCelia Walking Flat Loafer

How to Choose the Best Shoes for Retail Workers

Top 10 Products

Timberland PRO Renova Slip-On

VenusCelia Walking Flat Loafer

Reebok Work N Cushion Shoe

New Balance Hook and Loop Shoe

Dickies Athletic Work Shoe

Skechers Flex Advantage Slip-On

VANGELO Chef Shoe

YKH Platform Walking Shoes

HKR Platform Slip-On Loafers

DREAM PAIRS Restaurant Work

About the Author

TOP PICK

Timberland PRO Renova Slip-On