Specialty retail can be critically important on several fronts for running-focused gear brands. These standout products cover a broad spectrum of what runners might need for the run — before, during, or after.

Molly Hanks Doyle, merchandising manager at Title Nine, and Joy Haizen, managing director, Anita USA, share their insights on the sports bra category.

There’s plenty of “wow factor” appeal to be found in trail running and light hiking footwear across the board in 2023. Brands are tuned in to consumer trends and leaning into tech. And there is increasingly a blurred line between some of the performance details in road and trail shoes. 

Canada Goose has made changes to its executive suite, including the naming of former Wolverine executive Matt Blonder as chief digital officer with responsibility for all consumer-facing digital platforms.

Overall U.S. footwear industry sales revenue was down 3% in Q1 this year versus Q1 2022, but the performance category was up 2% in that period, according to point-of-sale data from Circana (formerly IRI and The NPD Group).

Nike’s new Motiva shoe features rocker geometry and is made for walking, jogging and running. Specifically, the brand says, it is made for varied activities and fluctuating paces.

Hoka has launched its first ever collection of footwear for kids. The new line includes youth sizes of three popular Hoka styles, the Clifton 9, Speedgoat 5, and Ora 3 Slide.

Streetwear and sneaker retailer SNIPES recently launched its Pay It Forward initiative, a nationwide campaign that aims to “provide opportunities for underrepresented communities and empower the next generation of leaders by supporting education and creating a platform for important conversations.”

It appears that U.S. households with kids are pulling back on footwear spending more so than those without, as parents are forgoing footwear purchases for themselves, according to Circana (formerly IRI and The NPD Group).

Keds, which Designer Brands recently acquired from Wolverine Worldwide, announced a brand refresh, including an updated logo in a new blue hue...

New brand leadership appointments announced by VF Corp. include a change at the top at Altra. Todd Dalhausser, previously brand president of Altra, is moving to the position of global brand president, Dickies...

Crocs is leaning into its digital-first brand strategy, launching a new customization program for bulk orders of Classic Clogs and Jibbitz charms.

Under Armour is strengthening its partnership with NBA superstar Stephen Curry with a new long-term deal that will extend beyond Curry’s playing days.

Authentic Brands Group announced it has made a binding offer to purchase global action sports and lifestyle company Boardriders.

Recovery footwear brand OOFOS announced it recently completed a growth investment round of funding led by three of its brand ambassadors — NFL quarterback Derek Carr, retired quarterback Alex Smith and University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley.

A star-studded pickleball event set to be televised on ESPN will be sponsored by K-Swiss. The Pickleball Slam will feature tennis legends John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Michael Chang competing for a $1 million dollar purse.

In our latest survey, we asked 335 consumers, all of whom described themselves as “walkers,” a variety of questions focused on footwear and foot health, including how they shop.

When it comes to workplace footwear, consumers are clear on what they want.

A look at sustainability stories around the footwear industry.

For healthcare and hospitality workers who are often on their feet all day, proper footwear can make a significant difference in how their bodies feel at the end of a shift.

There’s something special about all four of these standout styles.

Mark Wachter, who founded the San Francisco-based specialty store On The Run, died on March 11. Born in 1954, he immigrated to the United States from Poland as a child with his sister and parents.

James M. (Jim) Chick, a legend in the world of sporting goods retail, died last week at the age of 76. Chick was president & CEO of Chick’s Sporting Goods, headquartered in Covina, CA, for nearly 40 years.

OrthoLite announced this week that it is partnering with Novamont in the creation of OrthoLite Cirql, the world’s first circular foam material solution for footwear. OrthoLite Cirql was first unveiled to the industry last year — initial production is slated for the back half of 2023.

Salomon has introduced the INDEX.02, a new recyclable running shoe that builds upon its INDEX.01 model introduced two years ago.