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Crowd Pleasers

A little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Standout new comfort styles for 2023 add a dash of a few different trends to give consumers what they want.

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Sponsored Content

We Move you Forward

mōshn® is the most comfortable shoe for people on the move. Found in a variety of stylish uppers, mōshn® features Dynamic Motion Technology™, a new technology that works holistically with your foot to stabilize your heel and naturally move you forward.

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Footwear Insight

Magazine Archives

How Consumers Shop For Boots

Comfort and durability are the top traits consumers look for in their boots. And boots are in-style year-round for many consumers. Those are just two of the takeaways from our latest consumer survey which focused on, you guessed it… boots!

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Built for Success

Success is generational at Beck’s Shoes. Founded in 1919, Beck’s Shoes is run today by cousins Adam Beck and Julia Beck-Gomez, the fifth generation to helm the business. Headquartered in Campbell, CA, Beck’s Shoes is the top scoring store on the 2022 Gold Medal Service Award list.

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Secrets to Success

Gold Medal Service Award winning stores share some of their top customer service tips.

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Meeting Customer Service Expectations

Your store’s ability to provide a high level of customer service will set your store apart from all your competitors. I’ve believed it for decades, practiced it, trained my staff and encouraged other retailers to “up their game” and improve what goes on when customers come shopping.

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Forward Motion

Planning for the future of outdoor footwear in 2023 means considering climate, sustainability and crossover appeal.

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Fast Movers

The newest performance running shoes are packed with innovation. Led by perfectly cushioned and tuned road shoes and nimble, versatile trail running styles, here’s a peek at what’s new and what’s next.

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Nike Promising Renewed Focus on Road Running

The Swoosh, perhaps irked by the recent success of smaller rivals in Hoka One One, Asics and On in the road running space, is vowing to put a renewed focus on the running category over the next 6 to 18 months.

Read More

Foot Locker Revitalizes Nike Partnership, Eyes $10 Billion Revenue Mark

Foot Locker’s annual investor day this week, presided over by its new President and CEO Mary Dillon for the first time, was a split decision.

Read More

On Expects Brand Momentum to Persist This Year

After completing its first full year as a public company in 2022, the Swiss company On is aiming to achieve currency-neutral sales growth of 42 percent in FY23 to the equivalent of $1.83 billion. The key areas of focus in On’s 14th year will be running, tennis and younger consumers.

Read More

Designer Brands Forecasting Mid-Single Digit Sales Decline in FY23

Last week, DSW parent company Designer Brands detailed its outlook for the current fiscal year by suggesting a consumer purchasing pullback that commenced last October will continue through H1 followed by a “soft landing” in the back-to-school quarter.

Read More

Obituary: Mark Wachter, Founder of On The Run

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.

Read More

Famous Footwear Dialing into Millennials

Caleres-owned retail chain Famous Footwear, which generated 22 percent sales growth in FY22 to more than $1.32 billion despite closing 21 stores year-over-year, is sharpening its focus on reaching Millennial consumers.

Read More

Adidas Commences “Transition Year” Under New Leadership

Bjorn Gulden, who crossed his German town from Puma SE headquarters to become CEO of Adidas on Jan. 1, isn’t afraid to offer an honest assessment of the challenges that he and his new brand face in 2023.

Read More

Footwear Insight

EXTRA Archives

Shoe Show Acquires Half-Moon Outfitters

Shoe Show Inc., which operates approximately 1,100 footwear stores in 47 states, has acquired outdoor specialty retailer Half-Moon Outfitters. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Dick’s Going All in on ‘House of Sport’ Concept

Dick’s Sporting Goods, the 75-year-old, full-line chain, which calls footwear, athletic apparel and team sports its priority categories, is making the ‘House of Sport’ experiential format its primary square footage growth driver going forward.

Oboz Is Now B Corp Certified

Montana-based outdoor footwear brand Oboz has joined the B Corp community, reinforcing its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Hibbett Sports Gets Boost from Footwear in Q4

The 1,133-door chain Hibbett Sports more than doubled its profits to $38.4 million from $17.7 million in the final period ended Dec. 31 as same store sales rose 14 percent and e-commerce revenues jumped 21 percent year-over-year. Sales were up 20 percent to $458.3 million from $383.3 million.

IN THE NEWS: Salomon, Circana, Rockport

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

Puma Forecasts a ‘Normalization’ of U.S. Market Conditions

Despite achieving record sales and operating profits in FY22, The Cat continues to deal with a myriad of issues, including geopolitical, macroeconomic, and global business uncertainty.

Wolverine Will Be ‘Nimble’ in 2023

After a challenging 2022 that included staff cuts, the divestiture of its Keds business and various challenges to its sourcing, logistics, and warehousing operations, Wolverine Worldwide is looking for improving cash flow and profit performance to improve sequentially throughout 2023.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Acquiring Moosejaw

There’s more room for growth in the outdoors for Dick’s Sporting Goods. Last week, Dick’s announced it has agreed to acquire outdoor retailer Moosejaw from Walmart.

Keen Launches New Walking Shoe, New Tech

This week, Keen launched a new walking shoe called the WK400. The $165 style is designed with patent-pending KEEN.CURVE technology.

In the News: Veja, Pou Chen Corp., 360 Adventure Collective

Veja has launched its first hiking shoe, the Fitz Roy. Designed to be a durable, technical hiking shoe, the Fitz Roy has a wide sole with multi-directional lugs.

Foot Locker Revitalizes Nike Partnership, Eyes $10 Billion Revenue Mark

Foot Locker’s annual investor day this week, presided over by its new President and CEO Mary Dillon for the first time, was a split decision.

Read More

On Expects Brand Momentum to Persist This Year

After completing its first full year as a public company in 2022, the Swiss company On is aiming to achieve currency-neutral sales growth of 42 percent in FY23 to the equivalent of $1.83 billion. The key areas of focus in On’s 14th year will be running, tennis and younger consumers.

Read More

Designer Brands Forecasting Mid-Single Digit Sales Decline in FY23

Last week, DSW parent company Designer Brands detailed its outlook for the current fiscal year by suggesting a consumer purchasing pullback that commenced last October will continue through H1 followed by a “soft landing” in the back-to-school quarter.

Read More

Obituary: Mark Wachter, Founder of On The Run

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.

Read More

Famous Footwear Dialing into Millennials

Caleres-owned retail chain Famous Footwear, which generated 22 percent sales growth in FY22 to more than $1.32 billion despite closing 21 stores year-over-year, is sharpening its focus on reaching Millennial consumers.

Read More

Adidas Commences “Transition Year” Under New Leadership

Bjorn Gulden, who crossed his German town from Puma SE headquarters to become CEO of Adidas on Jan. 1, isn’t afraid to offer an honest assessment of the challenges that he and his new brand face in 2023.

Read More

Footwear Insight

EXTRA Archives

Brooks Achieves Record Revenue in 2022

Brooks’ annual sales rose by 6 percent in 2022 to an implied $1.166 billion despite persistent supply chain obstacles within the running industry. In the U.S., the brand had the highest rating and ranking in the Running Dealer Report from the Running Industry Association.

NPD: 2023 ‘Will Be a Reset Year for the Footwear Industry’

The NPD Group is forecasting annual U.S. footwear sales growth of 1 percent through 2025, with unit sales beginning to improve in 2024, as the pressure from average price increases eases in the footwear market.

In The News: Kane, OrthoLite, Fleet Feet

Recovery brand Kane Footwear has its first major retail partnership — Kane is now available in 12 select Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com, having expanded to six additional brick and mortar stores last week.

New CEO and Target Consumer for Under Armour

Under Armour, which will welcome new CEO Stephanie Linnartz on Feb. 27, is working to evolve its marketing and omnichannel strategies to better connect with 16- to 20-year-olds, many of whom are varsity athletes.

Designer Brands Expands Portfolio with Keds Acquisition

The parent of the DSW chain continues to expand its own brands’ portfolio of casual and athleisure brands that already includes Topo Athletic and Le Tigre.

Asics’ FY22 Revenues Jumped 22 Percent but Operating Profit Fell

North American operating income for Asics declined to ¥26 million, or about $196,000, in 2022 due to higher costs associated with the region’s e-commerce sales.

Adidas Braces for a Tough 2023 After Difficult 2022

Preliminary unaudited 2022 results for Adidas show a 66 percent decline in annual operating profit to €669 million, or an estimated $715.3 million, pushing the operating margin down to 3.0 percent from 9.4 percent in 2021.

In The News: Tread Labs, Zappos, Rocky Brands, Caleres, Canada Goose, Mizuno

Tread Labs, the insole brand established by Chaco founder Mark Paigen, has launched its debut collection of lifestyle sandals for men and women.

New adidas Sportswear Label Is Designed for ‘Sport of Life'

Adidas is launching a new label called adidas Sportswear which will be positioned as a complement to the brand’s Performance and Originals labels. The new adidas Sportswear products feature performance technology, but are designed for “the sport of life,” according to the brand.

Skechers Continues to Eye $10 Billion in Annual Sales by 2026

Fourth quarter sales in the Americas for Skechers rose 22 percent year-over-year to $925.6 million, fueled by double-digit growth across all channels and improved inventory availability.

Foot Locker Revitalizes Nike Partnership, Eyes $10 Billion Revenue Mark

Foot Locker’s annual investor day this week, presided over by its new President and CEO Mary Dillon for the first time, was a split decision.

Read More

On Expects Brand Momentum to Persist This Year

After completing its first full year as a public company in 2022, the Swiss company On is aiming to achieve currency-neutral sales growth of 42 percent in FY23 to the equivalent of $1.83 billion. The key areas of focus in On’s 14th year will be running, tennis and younger consumers.

Read More

Designer Brands Forecasting Mid-Single Digit Sales Decline in FY23

Last week, DSW parent company Designer Brands detailed its outlook for the current fiscal year by suggesting a consumer purchasing pullback that commenced last October will continue through H1 followed by a “soft landing” in the back-to-school quarter.

Read More

Obituary: Mark Wachter, Founder of On The Run

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.

Read More

Famous Footwear Dialing into Millennials

Caleres-owned retail chain Famous Footwear, which generated 22 percent sales growth in FY22 to more than $1.32 billion despite closing 21 stores year-over-year, is sharpening its focus on reaching Millennial consumers.

Read More

Adidas Commences “Transition Year” Under New Leadership

Bjorn Gulden, who crossed his German town from Puma SE headquarters to become CEO of Adidas on Jan. 1, isn’t afraid to offer an honest assessment of the challenges that he and his new brand face in 2023.

Read More

Footwear Insight

EXTRA Archives

Famous Footwear Dialing into Millennials

Caleres-owned retail chain Famous Footwear, which generated 22 percent sales growth in FY22 to more than $1.32 billion despite closing 21 stores year-over-year, is sharpening its focus on reaching Millennial consumers.

Read More

Adidas Commences “Transition Year” Under New Leadership

Bjorn Gulden, who crossed his German town from Puma SE headquarters to become CEO of Adidas on Jan. 1, isn’t afraid to offer an honest assessment of the challenges that he and his new brand face in 2023.

Read More

Allbirds to Slow U.S. Retail Expansion, Expand Wholesale Biz

San Francisco-based brand Allbirds plans to slow the pace of its store openings and continue expanding its wholesale business. Other measures being undertaken as part of a transformation plan include shifting all footwear production to Vietnam by year’s end.

Read More

IN THE NEWS: OrthoLite + Novamont, Import Forecast

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.

Read More

Obituary: James M. Chick, 76

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.

Read More

Shoe Show Acquires Half-Moon Outfitters

Shoe Show Inc., which operates approximately 1,100 footwear stores in 47 states, has acquired outdoor specialty retailer Half-Moon Outfitters. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Read More

Dick’s Going All in on ‘House of Sport’ Concept

Dick’s Sporting Goods, the 75-year-old, full-line chain, which calls footwear, athletic apparel and team sports its priority categories, is making the ‘House of Sport’ experiential format its primary square footage growth driver going forward.

Read More

Oboz Is Now B Corp Certified

Montana-based outdoor footwear brand Oboz has joined the B Corp community, reinforcing its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

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