Leading footwear industry executives, innovators and college industrial design students gathered in Boston last week for Vibram's third Sneaker Forum event. Fabrizio Gamberini (pictured above, standing), president of Vibram Corp and Global Chief Brand Officer, moderated a panel that discussed the formula for building a winning team in the footwear industry. Participants included: Todd Dalhausser, president of Altra Running; Isack Fadlon, CEO of Sportie LA; Melissa Worth, SVP/GM North America for New Balance; and D’Wayne Edwards, Founder of PENSOLE Design Academy.‍

Crocs’ global revenues rose 13 percent to $1.2 billion in 2019 as average price rose 3 percent on a constant-currency basis to $17.81. The company is forecasting an 8 percent to 12 percent total revenue gain in 2020, including $10 million in negative currency impact and a $40 to $60 million impact related to the novel coronavirus.

Big 5 Sporting Goods realized a less than 0.5 percent decline in athletic and sport footwear sales in 2019 to $279.7 million for the 12 months ended Dec. 31. The category represented 28.2 percent of the chain’s annual sales versus 28.6 percent in FY18.

FootJoy golfwear sales rose 0.5 percent in 2019 to $441.9 million, reported parent Acushnet Cos., but were 2.5 percent higher on a constant currency basis at $450.7 million. Sales gain was driven by higher average selling prices for apparel that were partially offset by lower average selling prices for footwear. The company intends to enrich its footwear “consumer connection initiatives” this year with digital content, product trial and fit experiences in key global markets.

As Nashville and surrounding areas begin to assess the damage inflicted by the tornadoes that ripped through the area late at night on March 2, killing at least 24 people and destroying business and homes, businesses are trying to take stock of local needs. Christi Beth Adams, owner of the three Fleet Feet Nashville stores, said that all of her employees are safe, and that all locations are open and serving as official drop-off locations for supplies. But, she said, it will take time to calculate just what is needed.

“Nashville is a very resilient and responsive town — I think we learned just from yesterday that we all need to take a breath and make sure money and manpower and supplies are collected and distributed thoughtfully,” she told Footwear Insight in an email. “Vendors and other run specialty stores have offered shoes and supplies, but we are pausing to truly assess what the needs are. Shoes are great but organizations like the Red Cross need money and blood donations. We need time to assess and we need people’s willingness to help to extend into the weeks ahead once there is a better idea of what is most helpful!”