The shoe still fits for Saunders' Sally

IN HER SHOES: Sally Summers has spent 65 years selling shoes - and wouldn't have it any other way.

Not once, in over six decades, can Sally Summers remember not wanting to go to work.

Mrs Summers is one of Masterton's longest serving retailers, having recently celebrated her 65th anniversary of working for Saunders Shoes on Queen St.

She marked the special occasion by taking a week's holiday -- and receiving "lots of hugs" from her regular customers on returning to work.

While New Zealanders are known to hold an average of three careers throughout their life, Mrs Summers is happiest on that familiar shoe shop floor -- and has no plans for stepping down.

"It gives me something to get up for," Mrs Summers, who works three days a week at the Saunders outlet store, said.

"I don't think I've ever woken up and thought 'I don't want to go to work today'.

"No-one's ever said 'why don't you retire?' or 'haven't you had enough?'"

Mrs Summers began work at Saunders in August 1950, having answered an advertisement in the newspaper.

Her original plan after leaving school was to train as a nurse -- but her family discouraged her from pursuing a high-pressure career, as her health was weakened from a childhood bout of diptheria.

"I was just looking for a job, any job."

Back in those days, she said, shoes came in "brown, white, navy and black -- and that was it."

"You didn't get the variety we have these days. All the shoes were manufactured in New Zealand, which doesn't happen now -- I've seen a few brands go off the shelves completely."

When fitting a shoe, Mrs Summers advises customers to chose "comfort over looks".

"If it's not on them right, I'll say so.

"If we sell them a shoe which isn't the proper fit, they won't come back again."

One of the best parts of the job is knowing she has helped a customer find "their perfect match".

"People will buy new shoes for a special occasion, like a wedding, and they'll come back and show you photos of them, all dressed up."

Saunders outlet store manager Amanda Sim said working with Mrs Summers is "an inspiration".

"She remembers everyone's shoe sizes, what shoes they like, who their grandmother was. We have customers who come in just to see her."

"You do meet some lovely people -- I think I'm on to serving my first customers' great-grandchildren now," Mrs Summers said.