Thanks Chris.
Research is the key, if you are selling shoes then obviously there are buyers out.
If you are looking at the shoe market, already very competitive and have money behind you. Don't know your financial situation but you would be amazed what a few thousand can do.
My recommendation would be this - are you going to compete selling well known brands against the likes of big shoe companys like footlocker etc? No probably not.
I would go the China route, (may involve a trip there - which hey isn't a bad thing) and going to shoe manufacturers and creating your own brand. Combine price with comfort or Cost with quality and get them made for around $15 a pair. Then come back and make a margin of around 300% if not more. For me this is what China is all about, none of this iPod rubbish just real business!
If you can design a few innovative models. Maybe a black loafer with a bright green sort of logo/design on it. Maybe a couple in red. People WILL buy this. If you are the only company that does this then people will love it.
Granted the shoes maybe not to your taste but you don't have to sell what you like. I will be honest and say I wouldn't ever sell on eBay half the stuff my buyers do but they sell it. Would I wear all the clothes I sell? No!
But people will buy it, we are entering a stage now where innovation is everything, no longer can you just copy someone elses idea and find a good income (sadly) those days are well gone.
I will leave saying that these things are the items that become overnight successes! You get a celeb wearing your shoes, it gets featured in a magazine next thing you know you will have orders by the thousands and being offered distribution services by every company going...