Italian brand Unleash Your Nature (UYN, pronounced “win”) is launching running footwear for spring 2024. The company’s running shoes, engineered from socks, will include road, trail and cross trail options for men and women. UYN Running’s zero-seam structure wraps around the foot and stabilizes it while respecting the natural shape. This design prevents abrasion and hot spots and provides best in class flexibility, stability and breathability, according to the brand. Other features in the shoes include: Merino Wool for a soft feel on the skin and temperature regulation; Heel Active Ligament Outerframe (H.A.L.O) for support and stability; Power Chassis, a rigid platform built into the midsole, making the shoe more rigid and providing energy return; and ultra-lightweight UYN Propulsyon foam. Styles in the line include the Synapsis for road running, $179; the Neuron for trail running, $179; and the 6Sense for cross trail, $199. UYN Running will be available at select specialty stores and online starting spring 2024 at uynsports.com/en_us.

Journeys has partnered with thredUP to launch an online resale platform for apparel called “Journeys Second-Hand,” that will allow Journeys customers to shop secondhand apparel directly from Journeys’ website and resell gently-worn items for Journeys shopping credit. To participate, customers can generate a prepaid shipping label from journeys.thredup.com, fill any shippable box or bag with apparel, shoes, and accessories from any brand in their closet, and ship it to thredUP for free. For items that sell, customers receive Journeys credit that can be used both online and in-store. Journeys is the first footwear retailer with an apparel-only resale site powered by thredUP. More than half of Gen Z are more likely to shop with a brand that offers secondhand clothing alongside new, according to thredUP’s 2023 Resale Report.

Deloitte’s annual Back to School Survey, released last week, predicts total spending will fall 10 percent year-over-year with a purchase focus on necessities such as school supplies. Meanwhile, both apparel (-14%) and tech (-13%) spending for junior are forecast to be down this year.

REI recently presented its 2023 Vendor Partner of the Year awards, with On being named REI’s overall 2023 Vendor Partner of the Year award. Other REI honors went to Danner (footwear and basics), Exped (camp), Quality Bicycle Products (action sports) and Smartwool (apparel). The Vendor Partner of the Year awards program honors brands for partnering with REI to meet customer needs, raise the bar for product quality and drive sustainable business practices.

Easy Spirit is launching its first ever pickleball shoe, designed specifically for women, the Easy Spirit x Denise Austin Dilli court shoe. Part of Austin’s fall collab capsule launching this month, the shoe features a shock absorbing cushioned footbed, reinforced stitched forefoot and a traction-dimpled outsole. It also has a moisture wicking lining and a breathable soft leather upper. The Easy Spirit x Denise Austin footwear collection will be sold at Macy's, Zappos, HSN Nordstrom and other major retailers.