Just a couple of weeks ago, I was telling a friend at hot yoga how much I liked her new pants. They were from a brand known for its comfortable fabrics; and for silhouettes that straddle the line between lifestyle apparel and performance activewear.

Passionate. Authentic. Knowledgeable. Transparent. ‍Building blocks of community. These are just a few of the words used by footwear brands when asked about the traits of their best retail partners. Being strong partners in business is no easy feat (for retailers or brands). Companies all face their own unique challenges and have a myriad of strategies for success.

Skechers VP of Product Development and Merchandising, Greg Smith, is the brand’s pulse when it comes to pickleball. He’s seeing people try it – and stick with it. “Pickleball is a super social game that anyone can play whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned pro, and that’s likely why it’s gained so much popularity,” he explained.

With the Fall season around the corner, the topic of “running safety” is top-of-mind. Once autumn arrives, for most of the country, morning and evening runs occur in increasingly low light and dusky conditions and unpredictable weather.Of course, “run safety” is also a 12-months per year topic — everyday risks can be posed not only by vehicles, weather and terrain but also by encounters with dangerous people or animals.