Why shoes sales rose in Sept and Oct during recession?

Shoe sales increased 7.9% in October compared with the same period in the previous year.
Sales of shoes were the highest in any October since 2006.

Potential Reasons:
1. People wear shoes than handbags.
2. Nowadays shoes are priced reasonably.
3. During a recession, people look back on the basic needs instead of the luxuries.
4. Cost-per-wear of a pair of shoes is much cheaper than that of a dress or other luxurious stuff.
5. Major driver of the shoe sales is the category for children and babies.
6. No worries about gaining weight when you shop for shoes.
7. Emotional purchases.
8. Shoes as accessories.
9. Customers mostly prefer shoes in bight colors like yellow and red, the colors that make people stand out.

Retrieved on Nov. 6th 2009
from The New York Times Economy A Not-So-Guilty Pleasure