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Power in Partnership

In our annual feature, we shine a light on brands committed to partnerships with independent retailers. Execs talk strategy, product, relationships (& more).

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Sponsored Content

Introducing the brand-new Functional Footwear Area!

The brand-new Functional Footwear Area at Performance Days Munich on October 4-5 and Functional Fabric Fair Fall on November 1-2 will spotlight cutting-edge textiles and accessories tailored specifically for footwear, providing attendees with a unique chance to discover industry innovations from specialized exhibitors.

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Footwear Insight

Magazine Archives

Trend Insight

We asked more than 300 consumers about their current footwear shopping habits. A key takeaway? Consumers are willing to try out new footwear brands... for a price.

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Cubicle Style

Office style is-a-changing. Some days call for a dressed-up look, while others are cooler and more casual. Bottom line, the shoes you choose for work are about comfort and that is non-negotiable. A heel is pretty much always office-appropriate and a laid-back loafer can work well too.

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The Right Stuff

Whether it’s on the work site or on the trail, there are two traits working overtime in new boot styles — versatility and lightweight performance. While many consumers are seeking out modern, athletic looks, some consumers still prefer the classic silhouettes.

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How Perfectionists See It

Footwear Insight, in its quest to get the lowdown on the current state of the retail footwear industry, reached out to some of the best seeking answers.

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Know Your Numbers

It seems to me that the significantly inflated cost of doing business is a huge obstacle to the future financial success of independent shoe retailing on a wide scale basis.

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Pickle Power

Beginners and experienced players alike have been flocking to the pickleball court. The sport’s participation has increased by 158.6% over the last three years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

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Andy Gray Named New President of Journeys Group

Genesco-owned retailer Journeys has hired Andy Gray, who spent more than two decades with Foot Locker that included his last role as global president until Jan. 2023, as its new president.

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Run Buzz: NNormal, Mount To Coast, Hettas, Vimazi

Product innovation and brand launch news from the running industry is in the spotlight today, including NNormal’s Kboix Experience, Mount To Coast’s distance shoes, new women’s brand Hettas, and a walking shoe from Vimazi.

Read More

Pearl iZUMI Brand Has New Owner

Investment firm Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) has acquired United Sports Brands and its portfolio of sporting goods and active lifestyle brands for an undisclosed sum.

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In The News: JD Sports x Instacart, Puma, Caleres

JD Sports is partnering with Instacart to launch same-day delivery from more than 500 JD Sports and Finish Line stores across the U.S. via the Instacart App and website. JD Sports and Finish Line already offer online ordering for in-store pickup and shipping.

Read More

Caleres Sees Speed as Differentiator

Bolstered by its ‘Speed’ strategy programs, which can bring footwear product to market in three months or less to align with consumer demand and key trends, Caleres’ Brand Portfolio delivered record Q3 adjusted operating earnings of $39 million...

Read More

Shoe Carnival Drops FY Guidance on ‘Very Sluggish’ Start to Fall Season

Sales in the most recent quarter fell below expectations for Shoe Carnival, but the chain sees itself in a good position in several areas despite an overall retail family footwear segment that has contracted by approximately 10 percent in dollars year-to-date.

Read More

Footwear is Hibbett’s Strongest Q3 Category

Retail chain Hibbett said its footwear segment’s results in Q3, up low single digits on a comp basis, were driven by basketball, lifestyle, running silhouettes, and a favorable new product launch calendar.

Read More

Footwear Insight

EXTRA Archives

Inside On’s Lofty Objectives

Swiss brand On intends to double its net sales by 2026, increase its gross profit margin to above 60 percent and push its adjusted ebitda above 18 percent.

Saucony Eyes Brighter Days in 2024

With parent Wolverine Worldwide undergoing a corporate overhaul under CEO Chris Hufnagel, Saucony is bracing for a difficult final quarter but encouraged by an improved product pipeline, likely more advertising dollars to spend and at least four new model introductions in 2024.

ASICS’ Global Running Growth, Mizuno’s Improved Results

Double-digit sales increases in Japan, Greater China and Southeast and South Asia contributed to 15.1 percent sales growth in Japanese yen for ASICS’ performance running segments...

Yue Yuen’s Sales Indicative of Global Footwear Demand

In an indication that many athletic and casual footwear brands made less new shoes this year, likely due to still holding a surplus of inventory, Yue Yuen, the globe’s largest manufacturer of footwear who produces shoes for more than a dozen brands...

In The News: Nike, K-Swiss, Swiftwick, Comfort One, Saxon Shoes

There is a senior executive shuffle at Nike. John Hoke, a 30-year Swoosh veteran, is moving from chief design officer to chief innovation officer.

Crocs Giving Heydude Strategy a Makeover

Crocs is developing a new strategy for its Heydude brand. Faced with some immediate challenges, Heydude’s annual revenue target of $1 billion is being pushed back until 2024...

Cavassa Named PrimaLoft President

Former Saucony leader Anne Cavassa is joining material technology company PrimaLoft as president. Cavassa, who left her role as president at Saucony in May after five years in the position, previously held leadership positions at Brooks, Nike and Timberland.

Warson Working with DC, ROXY

Authentic Brands Group is expanding its partnership with Warson Brands to have Warson design, develop and distribute occupational footwear for the Authentic-owned DC Shoes and ROXY brands.

In The News: On, Conservation Alliance, NRF

Swiss brand On has opened a new store in Miami, the brand’s fifth retail location in the U.S. and 27th globally. Located at 125 NE 40th Street in the heart of Miami’s upscale designer precinct...

Vans Looks for Answers, New President

With a brand turnaround unlikely to occur over the next six months and parent VF Corp. embarking on an aggressive ‘Re-invent’ strategy focused on many aspects of its business, Vans is looking for a new global president.

Run Buzz: NNormal, Mount To Coast, Hettas, Vimazi

Product innovation and brand launch news from the running industry is in the spotlight today, including NNormal’s Kboix Experience, Mount To Coast’s distance shoes, new women’s brand Hettas, and a walking shoe from Vimazi.

Read More

Pearl iZUMI Brand Has New Owner

Investment firm Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) has acquired United Sports Brands and its portfolio of sporting goods and active lifestyle brands for an undisclosed sum.

Read More

In The News: JD Sports x Instacart, Puma, Caleres

JD Sports is partnering with Instacart to launch same-day delivery from more than 500 JD Sports and Finish Line stores across the U.S. via the Instacart App and website. JD Sports and Finish Line already offer online ordering for in-store pickup and shipping.

Read More

Caleres Sees Speed as Differentiator

Bolstered by its ‘Speed’ strategy programs, which can bring footwear product to market in three months or less to align with consumer demand and key trends, Caleres’ Brand Portfolio delivered record Q3 adjusted operating earnings of $39 million...

Read More

Shoe Carnival Drops FY Guidance on ‘Very Sluggish’ Start to Fall Season

Sales in the most recent quarter fell below expectations for Shoe Carnival, but the chain sees itself in a good position in several areas despite an overall retail family footwear segment that has contracted by approximately 10 percent in dollars year-to-date.

Read More

Footwear is Hibbett’s Strongest Q3 Category

Retail chain Hibbett said its footwear segment’s results in Q3, up low single digits on a comp basis, were driven by basketball, lifestyle, running silhouettes, and a favorable new product launch calendar.

Read More

Footwear Insight

EXTRA Archives

Brooks Running Maintains Top Spot in U.S. Performance Run Market

Year-to-date global revenues are up 5 percent and 7 percent higher year-over-year in the U.S. for Brooks Running as the Seattle-based company has reached new runners, recovered from Covid-19-related supply chain disruptions, and normalized inventory levels.

Deckers Plots Changes, Hoka, UGG Maintain Momentum

Deckers Brands is not standing pat. As its two top businesses, Hoka and UGG, continue to maintain their respective momentums, the company is preparing to divest its Sanuk business and launch a new label described as...

Skechers Sees ‘Positive Signals’ Emerging in U.S. Wholesale Segment

Although it’s being cautious about its Q4 prospects, given the macroeconomic environment and ongoing uncertainty about consumer spending, Skechers says it’s beginning to see positive signs for its domestic wholesale business...

In The News: Curry Brand, Crocs, Fleet Feet, Grassroots Outdoor

Stephen Curry and Under Armour announced the signing of a multi-year partnership with rising NBA star De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings as the first signature athlete with Curry Brand.

Puma on Track for U.S. Growth in 2024

Despite ongoing geopolitical risks, muted consumer sentiment, macroeconomic headwinds, and the speed of recovery in the U.S. and Greater China markets, Puma says it’s continuing to gain market share worldwide and will continue to concentrate on soccer, performance running, basketball, and golf.

New President at Academy


Academy Sports + Outdoors announced it has promoted Sam J. Johnson to president as Michael P. Mullican has stepped down as president to pursue other personal and professional opportunities.

Nike Connects with Hibbett

In a move that reflects Nike’s renewed focus on select wholesale partners as well as its focus on digital connection, Nike is teaming up with retailer Hibbett on a “connected partnership,” connecting Hibbett and Nike’s loyalty programs and...

In The News: TYR, VF Corp., PTC Retail

California-based swim and fitness brand TYR Sport has opened its first brick-and-mortar retail location at Roosevelt Field in Garden City, NY, on Long Island.

Senior Executive Changes at Adidas, Asics

Two key athletic brands, Adidas, and Asics are getting new senior leadership in North America. U.K.-born Rupert Campbell, who became president of Adidas North America in Jan. 2022 following Three Stripe stints in Russia and Europe, is leaving the company.

Report: Holiday Footwear Buying Insights

Some 60 percent of U.S. consumers with an annual household income of $50,000 or less say their budget or inflation is altering the way they shop for shoes.

Run Buzz: NNormal, Mount To Coast, Hettas, Vimazi

Product innovation and brand launch news from the running industry is in the spotlight today, including NNormal’s Kboix Experience, Mount To Coast’s distance shoes, new women’s brand Hettas, and a walking shoe from Vimazi.

Read More

Pearl iZUMI Brand Has New Owner

Investment firm Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) has acquired United Sports Brands and its portfolio of sporting goods and active lifestyle brands for an undisclosed sum.

Read More

In The News: JD Sports x Instacart, Puma, Caleres

JD Sports is partnering with Instacart to launch same-day delivery from more than 500 JD Sports and Finish Line stores across the U.S. via the Instacart App and website. JD Sports and Finish Line already offer online ordering for in-store pickup and shipping.

Read More

Caleres Sees Speed as Differentiator

Bolstered by its ‘Speed’ strategy programs, which can bring footwear product to market in three months or less to align with consumer demand and key trends, Caleres’ Brand Portfolio delivered record Q3 adjusted operating earnings of $39 million...

Read More

Shoe Carnival Drops FY Guidance on ‘Very Sluggish’ Start to Fall Season

Sales in the most recent quarter fell below expectations for Shoe Carnival, but the chain sees itself in a good position in several areas despite an overall retail family footwear segment that has contracted by approximately 10 percent in dollars year-to-date.

Read More

Footwear is Hibbett’s Strongest Q3 Category

Retail chain Hibbett said its footwear segment’s results in Q3, up low single digits on a comp basis, were driven by basketball, lifestyle, running silhouettes, and a favorable new product launch calendar.

Read More

Footwear Insight

EXTRA Archives

Caleres Sees Speed as Differentiator

Bolstered by its ‘Speed’ strategy programs, which can bring footwear product to market in three months or less to align with consumer demand and key trends, Caleres’ Brand Portfolio delivered record Q3 adjusted operating earnings of $39 million...

Read More

Shoe Carnival Drops FY Guidance on ‘Very Sluggish’ Start to Fall Season

Sales in the most recent quarter fell below expectations for Shoe Carnival, but the chain sees itself in a good position in several areas despite an overall retail family footwear segment that has contracted by approximately 10 percent in dollars year-to-date.

Read More

Footwear is Hibbett’s Strongest Q3 Category

Retail chain Hibbett said its footwear segment’s results in Q3, up low single digits on a comp basis, were driven by basketball, lifestyle, running silhouettes, and a favorable new product launch calendar.

Read More

Fila USA Impacted by ‘Tight Orders’ from Retailers

A persistent promotional environment and conservative orders from retailers negatively impacted Fila USA’s third quarter results.

Read More

In The News: Sorel, Frankie4, Ciele

Columbia Sportswear announced that Cory Long has been named president of the Sorel brand. Long is a veteran of the footwear and apparel industry, most recently serving as global general manager and chief global merchant of DC Shoes.

Read More

Inside On’s Lofty Objectives

Swiss brand On intends to double its net sales by 2026, increase its gross profit margin to above 60 percent and push its adjusted ebitda above 18 percent.

Read More

Saucony Eyes Brighter Days in 2024

With parent Wolverine Worldwide undergoing a corporate overhaul under CEO Chris Hufnagel, Saucony is bracing for a difficult final quarter but encouraged by an improved product pipeline, likely more advertising dollars to spend and at least four new model introductions in 2024.

Read More

ASICS’ Global Running Growth, Mizuno’s Improved Results

Double-digit sales increases in Japan, Greater China and Southeast and South Asia contributed to 15.1 percent sales growth in Japanese yen for ASICS’ performance running segments...

Read More

FOOTWEAR INSIGHT INDEX

With the second quarter closing next week, ominous signs remain for the U.S. economy in this persistent pandemic environment as the number of active U.S. cases rose for a 10th straight day on June 22 to 1.26 million and 23 states reported increases in the number of cases. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the U.S. economy will generate $8 trillion less in economic activity over the next decade than it predicted months ago. And a report in The Atlantic suggests four factors — a great business die-off, the household fiscal cliff, state and local budget shortfalls and the persistent pandemic crisis — put the U.S. risk for a depression. Amid this backdrop, the Dow generated nearly 59 percent of its weekly 261.80-point gain for the week on the period’s final day, June 22. The action helped the Dow post a 1.02 percent increase for the period, about even with the Segment’s 1.06 percent increase as 12 stocks rose and eight declined. Aside from Mizuno, which benefited from currency effects, Nike and Deckers were the period’s biggest gainers. The Swoosh received four stock price target hikes from investment banks ahead of its scheduled fourth-quarter earnings report on June 25. Meanwhile, Nike and Puma are merging running technology and style into styles for the golf course, including The Cat’s RS-G and The Swoosh’s Air Max 270. Shoe Carnival reported that its 389 re-opened U.S. and Puerto Rico stores experienced a 28.1 percent rise in second quarter comparable store sales through  June 22, with brick-and-mortar up 4.0 percent and e-commerce gaining nearly 470 percent year-over-year. Under Armour Founder Kevin Plank has sold his Washington, D.C. mansion for $17.3 million after a reported two years on the market at a 41 percent discount from his 2018 asking price of $29.5 million. — Bob McGee 
The Footwear Insight Index tracks 20 of the most important publicly traded companies that have a substantial footwear business (6 retailers, 14 brands).
Index base of 100 is key to the closing prices of 12/29/17

INDEX: 123

1.06%

Weekly Review

Company name
(Ticker Symbol)

% Change over week
Price 06/15/20 • Price 06/22/20

ASICS Corp.
7936.T

0.35%

$11.38 • $11.34

Boot Barn
BOOT

1.09%

$22.84 • $22.59

Crocs
CROX

2.46%

$31.71 • $32.49

Designer Brands
DBI

4.49%

$7.13 • $6.81

Genesco
GCO

6.41%

$22.51 • $20.73

Mizuno
8022.T

14.12%

$18.41 • $21.01

Puma
PMMAF

1.65%

$72.90 • $74.10

Shoe Carnival
SKVL

0.26%

$27.02 • $27.09

Steve Madden
SHOO

0.13%

$23.30 • $23.33

VF Corp.
VFC

0.82%

$63.12 • $62.60

Company name
(Ticker Symbol)

% Change over week
Price 06/15/20 • Price 06/22/20

Adidas
addyy

0.72%

$132.53 • $133.49

Caleres
CAL

5.71%

$8.58 • $8.09

Deckers
DECK

3.71%

$193.55 • $200.73

Foot Locker
FL

0.99%

$29.23 • $29.52

GEOX
GEO.MI

4.49%

$0.89 • $0.85

Nike
NKE

1.72%

$97.83 • $99.51

Rocky Brands
RCKY

2.74%

$20.78 • $20.21

Skechers
SKX

5.66%

$33.20 • $31.32

Under Armour
UAA

3.55%

$9.86 • $9.51

Wolverine
WWW

0.26%

$23.08 • $23.14

TOTAL
Week over week

1.06%

$849.49 • $858.46