navigating today’s normalsimply watching an online presentation and make the experience immersive...

TRENDS, PERSPECTIVE & ANALYSIS • JUNE 2020 • A FORMULA4 MEDIA PUBLICATION

NAVIGATING TODAY’S NORMAL

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FOOTWEAR SHOPS SOUND OFFON RETAIL AFTER REOPENING

TRADE SHOWS REEVALUATE

TRENDS THAT WORK NOW

Please contact your local sales representative to preview our Fall 2020 Collection.

06REIMAGINING TRADE SHOWS The heads of the KICK Show, Grassroots Connect, MICAM Americas and Atlanta Shoe Market on how they are adapting.

12

SNEAKERS FOREVER Comfort meets sport meets style: These sneaker standouts are the right fashion footnote at any time of year.

14THE SANDAL SPECTRUM There’s a sandal for every mood for spring ’20, with luxe materials and comfort features elevating the summer staple.

18NAVIGATING THE NEW NORMAL What lessons are independents taking with them as they reopen? We asked past winners of the Gold Medal Service Awards, and they delivered.

26TREND INSIGHT We asked shoppers about in-store shopping in the COVID-19 era — and when they see a return to “normal.”

30LINES WE LIKE The celebrations look a little different this year, but brands are celebrating Pride all month long with these colorful footwear picks.

FOOTWEAR INSIGHT®

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Editorial Director Cara Griffin

Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Ernst Beaudry

Senior Editor Bob McGee

Contributors Nancy Ruhling Suzanne Blecher

Publisher Jeff Nott [email protected] 516-305-4711

Advertising Katie O’Donohue [email protected] 828-244-3043

Sam Selvaggio [email protected] 212-398-5021

Ron Stern [email protected] 201-774-2432

Art Director Francis Klaess

Production / Digital Brandon Christie 516-305-4710 [email protected]

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Please contact your local sales representative to preview our Fall 2020 Collection.

JUNE 2020

Karavel Shoes has transformed its interior space to adapt to COVID-19.

I’ve started this letter and scrapped it more times than I can count at this

point — it’s been a month of unprecedented upheaval in the world and

footwear business, and trying to figure out what we wanted to say with

this issue of the magazine has changed every day.

You may be finding the same. Every state and every community has

faced and is facing a different pictures when it comes to the rate of COVID-

19 infections in its area, the restrictions on business operations and the

pace of reopening — and, as the month has unfolded, everyone has been

waiting to see what comes next, how consumers react and what the long-

term effects will be.

Nationally — and in fact, internationally — the death of George Floyd in

Minneapolis has sparked protest and a reckoning across the board about

racism in today’s society that footwear brands, retailers and individuals

have been grappling with, some in private and many in public.

All that seems clear is that the industry, and maybe more, is in a state of

transformation, and this is just the beginning. And that what’s critical now is

showing up and putting in the work. We’re here to do both along with you.

Putting in the Work

TIME OUT | JENNIFER ERNST BEAUDRY

4 • Footwear Insight ~ June 2020 footwearinsight.com

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Comfort. Trust.

Service.

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THE FOOTWEAR EYE


Reimagining Trade Shows for the COVID-19 Era

Terry Schalow, Executive Director, RIA

The run specialty oriented Running Industry Association announced in March that it would be canceling the second edi-tion of its KICK show, originally planned for May 11 to 15 in Denver. This month, the group announced that it had created KICK On-Demand, a virtual event for group members and partner brands. What were the factors that went into deciding to switch to a virtual show versus a modified, in-person show? When we first recognized that a physi-cal show wasn’t possible, we considered some sort of hybrid show model. However, the hybrid show strategy left us with too many unknowns; we had no idea when any type of gathering,

however small, would be possible. The digital format, in contrast, allows for a safe and productive meeting environ-ment, and we arrived at the decision to move in that direction fairly early in the planning process.

What are your main goals for the virtual KICK On-Demand? We have three key goals for RIA KICK On-Demand. One, we’re focused on offering the same “working-show” theme that differentiates KICK from the standard trade show model. Our goal for KICK On-Demand is to repli-cate that. Two, we want to go beyond simply watching an online presentation and make the experience immersive for buyers. To that end, we’re partner-ing with Elastic by Plum River to offer brands the option of a digital catalog. Buyers will be able to use this tool to follow the presentation and plan assort-ments in real time, which we feel will make the order process easier. It’s important to add that not all brands that participate in KICK On-Demand will be able to offer the Elastic plat-form, and that’s OK. We see digital catalogs as an important part of creat-ing business efficiency, so if all we do is introduce the idea to our members, we’ll be moving the channel in the right direction. Finally, we want KICK On-Demand to be accessible to every-one, so there are no fees involved. All that is required for attendance is an RIA membership. To make membership a no-brainer, we’re deferring dues for new retail members until January 2021.

What advantages does a virtual event offer over a physical one? The obvious answer is the cost savings: There are no booth fees for the brands, and no costs associated with transport-ing and housing staff and materials to a physical show. Similarly, retailers will not have to budget for travel expenses, and can be in their stores to support sales efforts as stores ramp back up. Perhaps even more important, consider-ing the wide variety of challenges that our brands face, a virtual event offers flexibility for both brands and retailers. KICK On-Demand won’t be constrained by venue or time, so for the brands, many of whom may be experiencing supply chain disruptions and sample delays, we’re offering them the abil-ity to present when they are ready. If that turns out to be July or even later? No problem on our end. For retailers, they’ll have the option of joining a live presentation or reviewing at a later time. What downsides are you anticipating? It’s always great to have the industry gathered in one place for networking and the sense of community that comes with a large group; that, unfortunately, just isn’t possible at present. Buyers will miss the tactile element of being able to touch and feel new products. However, I’ve heard that several brands are plan-ning workarounds by supplying samples or fabrics in advance of their presenta-tion where it makes sense. What do you see as the role of a trade show for the industry? Trade shows serve a variety of pur-poses, from introducing new products to educational opportunities to network-ing, and as I mentioned earlier, fostering a sense of community. The RIA KICK On-Demand show follows suit, but in a very focused way by dialing in the idea of a true working show and elimi-nating the superfluous stuff that can drive costs up. We’re positioning KICK On-Demand as a “no frills working show” because that’s exactly what it is, and hopefully a welcome evolution to the standard trade show model.

OUTLOOK

The COVID-19 crisis created seismic change across almost every aspect of the footwear industry — and that included the traditional buying cycle. Faced with retail shutdowns, travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders and product shortages, the hows and whens of getting product in front of retailers looking to buy has been an open question. Should shows be postponed? Canceled? Modified? And what will this season of disruption mean in the larger picture, when trade shows of all kinds

have faced fundamental questions about where and how they should best operate. To find out, we went to the source. Footwear Insight spoke to representatives from four major trade shows, each of whom has taken a different tack to serving their brand and retail constituents, to get their take on how shows need to serve the industry now and what role they can will play in the going forward.

Kelly Helfman, President of MICAM Americas, WWDMAGIC, Project Womens & Sourcing at MAGIC, and Belinda Pina, Head of Footwear Sales, Informa Markets

Slated to be the first edition of the longtime Vegas show under its new part-nership with MICAM, MICAM Americas parent Informa Markets announced this month that its new show dates would be Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, instead of Aug. 17 to 19. (Initially the show had been slated for Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, but was revised to avoid overlap with the Yom Kippur holi-day.) In May, Informa said it would be partnering with wholesale e-commerce platform NuOrder to create a digital ver-sion of the trade show. What factors went into picking the revised Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 dates?

The health and safety of all our attend-ees is of the utmost importance. We sent a survey to all of our retailers in May, and while many retailers signaled that they plan on attending tradeshows this season, many also stated they were uncomfortable with traveling this season. While we know pushing our dates back six weeks won’t change everyone’s mind, it does provide more peace of mind for everyone in terms of refining protocols and procedures within the buildings and facilities we will be using. Having more time to see what other shows have implemented, identify best and most efficient practices and fine-tune our safety measures hopefully creates more security for our undecided

attendees. We all foresee the opportu-nity for Fall and Holiday buys taking place at our show given that so many deliveries were postponed and retail sales are already picking up. We think retailers will need to replenish inven-tory and will be seeking out immediate inventory in addition to placing final Spring ’21 orders.

A number of other summer shows have decided not to hold an in-person event this year. Was that ever a consideration? [In our May survey,] results came back heavily that the industry wants the event to take place. Between postpon-ing dates and investing in our safety and health measures, we feel very confident we can continue to serve our community so they can conduct business. We felt this time around, the hybrid of the phys-ical and digital was the right solution.

How will the new virtual trade show operate alongside the physical trade show? Is it a duplicate of the real-world event, or is it designed as a virtual com-plement with a different experience? The digital event will complement the live event and will last for eight weeks, Sept 1 to Nov 1, versus three days. It’s an accessible alternative for those cli-ents who cannot travel or do not feel comfortable doing so, and offers a sup-plemental experience to our live event. Buyers can utilize our digital event to view and discover products before and after the live event to enhance the buying process. Our partnership with NuOrder allows us to extend the typical live event experience to an eight-week format and will offer incredible con-tent, trend stories and media — far more than we can organize within our live events. The digital event will offer buyers a user-friendly environment with robust search capabilities by show, brand, product and type, mirroring the architecture of shopping on a website. Buyers will also be able to get very spe-cific in their product searches, leading to more brand discovery, and have the functionality to like products, create line sheets, connect with new brands, gener-ate orders and conduct transactions on the platform. Brands will have visibility in a myriad of ways and NuOrder brings their expertise in technology and a user

database of 500,000 retailers to the table, which brings tremendous value to our customers through amplified brand exposure as well as providing a wide net for net new lead gen opportunities.

Given that so many things are changing, what initial safety measures and other changes to the format are you planning for the September dates? Do the later dates alter any of the programing or experience? Informa is a member of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), so we will be adhering to all guidelines they lay out for large events. We have also established 10 pillars of safety we will adhere to for our events this year. Some of the areas we will address at the live event include contactless registration, spreading booths further apart, creat-ing 15-foot aisles, only utilizing 25 to 50 percent of our hall space for booths, grab-and-go food service, and enabling customers to preschedule appointments via our tools such as the MAGIC App. From an experiential standpoint, the show will look quite different, and we are looking into providing retail support instead of investing into the show floor experience to the degree we normally would. It goes without saying that the more retailers we have at the live event, the better the results and commerce for everyone.

What do you see as the role of the in-person trade show for the industry? Business is about relationships — most importantly, relationships with our cus-tomers and partners. In order to have the most meaningful conversations and reinforce the friendships we share, we have to be in front of one another. The live experience is special because it’s memorable and gives us all something to look forward to: a time for everyone to get together and really catch up with one another. We believe the future of the B2B channel will be a hybrid model of live and digital events. The chal-lenges of the current business climate and state of burgeoning opportunity in the online environment has compelled everyone to get into digital. We all must pivot and adapt in order to build better businesses and succeed. Let’s get back to selling shoes!

THE FOOTWEAR EYE

footwearinsight.com June 2020 ~ Footwear Insight • 7

Kelly Helfman

Rich Hill, President, Grassroots Outdoor AllianceThe specialty-oriented Grassroots Connect show, open to members and select guests of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, announced in March that it was canceling the June edition of the show originally scheduled for June 12-15 in Knoxville, TN. On June 2, the GOA opened its new virtual resource, ConnectHub, that will host sales tools, product images, workbooks and links to other B2B sales platforms to serve as a resource for retailers looking to plan their Spring ’21 buys. It also announced that it would be opening the process to select brands and retail-ers outside GOA membership. Did you consider hosting a virtual event, or was it evident from the start that something more like the Hub was the way to go? In the weeks after our Connect trade show in Knoxville was canceled, we certainly evaluated the pros and cons of a virtual event versus a resource tool like the Connect Hub. During that time, almost every company we talked with — whether retailer, brand, rep, or third-party servicer — was dealing with a reduction in cash, reduced staffing, and increased chal-lenges. With so much uncertainty still on the horizon, it was clear to us that the limited and time-constrained approach of a virtual event would unintentionally have excluded far too many from the community we wanted to sup-port.

How much interest have you had from brands and retailers not in GOA to participate? We just opened the Connect Hub to “non-Grassroots” brands a few days ago, and in the first 24 hours we had more than 30 vendors begin the upload process. Retailers will be invited in another couple weeks, so it’s too early to tell how much interest there will be.

That said, we believe that open accessibility for the greatest possible number of vendors and retailers is of utmost importance to the specialty outdoor marketplace. The Connect Hub provides that range of access, as it is built from the ground up to support our members and our industry at whatever level they are able to come to the table, and whenever it works best for them.

The conversations about what role trade shows play in the industry has taken on a new dimension. When the COVID crisis has passed, do you think the role of the trade show will have changed? Without a doubt, we are super grateful for all the modern tools and innovative thinking that is being put forth during this incredibly challenging time. These tools are going to deliver some remarkable and truly needed benefits in a time when we could all use some help. At the same time, we’re also con-fident that even with a ton of digital support, the outdoor industry is going to find them-selves deeply nostalgic for many aspects of the pre-COVID way of doing businesses — for the personal connections, for the random discoveries, and for the engagement that only a physical gathering can provide. When it’s safe to reconvene, there’s always going to be a place for an efficient, face-to-face sales gathering like Grassroots Connect, and for natural experiences, outdoor communities and exceptional personal service.

Laura Conwell-O’Brien, Executive Director, The Southeastern Shoe Travelers AssociationThe Atlanta Shoe Market is one of the few industry events that kept its original date and format. The show is scheduled for Aug. 22 to 24 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

With so many events cancelled, what factors did you consider in deciding to move forward with an in-person show? Here in Atlanta and in Georgia specifically, I feel comfortable moving ahead with an Aug. 22 show. If I were in another state, I would not. I really think it will work. We’ve had great response from the companies: I am very happy to inform you that we are at about 60 percent of the companies registered compared to last year. I do expect a large number of companies to register within the next week, as many are finally opening June 13. The retailers are coming and they’re really upbeat. It has exceeded by expecta-tions for sure! Both retailers and vendors have been very supportive of the Atlanta Shoe Market.

In what ways will the August show be a departure from past shows? This show is going to be different — you don’t want anybody to feel not protected. We always have an opening night party with a band, and I’ve canceled that — how can you social distance in a ballroom? Last week I finally received the guidelines that the CDC and state recommended: Temperature checks before entering the halls; masks to be provided for attendees; Hand sanitizer sta-tions; HVAC system maintenance to facilitate ventilation and reduce recirculated air, the same system as used in hospitals; redesigned floor plans to allow for wider aisles and one-way aisles; plexiglas shields available for rental through the RPM Service Kit at $155 each; [all] food and beverages provided in a no-contact way, i.e., all prepackaged food, with no self-serve buffets. And each attendee will have to sign a waiver.

Are attendees feeling optimistic about an in-person event? Buyers are just getting back to work, and this next 90-some days is going to be crucial in knowing how this will play out. But our headquarter hotel, the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel and Convention Center is already booked. And the six other hotels are slowing booking up. That’s telling me a lot. I’m cautiously optimistic. Could some-thing happen and there’s a resurgence and everything’s canceled? Maybe, but you have to proceed somehow. It’s going to be a dif-ferent and there will be a learning curve for everybody, no question. It’s a crazy time and none of us know how it’s all going to work. We can have our best plans and hope-fully they work. l

THE FOOTWEAR EYE


THE FOOTWEAR EYE

Market momentum for the Hoka One One brand, whose global revenues rose 58 percent in FY20 to $353 million, is forecast to continue this fiscal year, but at a slower rate. Senior executives at parent Deckers Outdoor Corp. last week told analysts that Hoka’s projected

sales increase for the fiscal year that began April 1 is likely to be lower than the “low 30 percent range” sales gain achieved by the brand during the first 45 days of the FY.

“We will continue to fuel the Hoka brand with digital marketing campaigns and virtual touchpoints to engage with consumers,” Dave Powers, president and CEO of Goleta, CA-based Deckers told analysts. “There’s little to no discounting on the brand. That’s because we managed inventory tightly…It’s selling through, the margins are high, and our partners are benefitting from that high average retail and margin.”

While specialty run retail has been crucial to Hoka’s trajectory, the brand could take a small hit if some of these businesses don’t continue post-COVID-19. Decker’s senior management is hopeful any lost business transfers online or to another account. Hoka recently opened Dick’s Sporting Goods after a test some three or four years ago.

As for some other Deckers’ brands, Ugg sales increased 5 percent for a second consecutive year in FY20, helped by a more diversified product assortment; and Koolaburra global revenues jumped 58 percent last year to $70 million, bol-stered by market share gains in the U.S. family value channel. Koolaburra, which is expanding into loungewear via a license this fall, is said to be well positioned to grab demand from budget-conscious consumers.

As of last week, Deckers hadn’t experienced a large number of cancellations for any of its brands. Nonetheless, it’s taking a cautious approach in planning the back half of its FY21 busi-ness. Backlog at March 31 was up 4.6 percent year-over-year.

“I think what we’re finding is both Hoka and Ugg are proving to be really important brands for consumers right now,” Powers said. “Ugg on the work from home comfort, lifestyle perspec-tive. And then a lot of consumers are doing home workouts and trying to exercise more.” —Bob McGee

Deckers Will Continue Investing in HOKASTRATEGY

Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5

Shoe Carnival said it was pleased with the perfor-mance of athletic and children’s styles in a challenging period as it moved swiftly to ramp up e-commerce and real-

ized a triple-digit increase in the segment in the first quarter. CEO Cliff Sifford pre-dicted continued strength in laidback looks, saying, “Lifestyle is going to be much more casual going into next year.”

As chainwide e-commerce revenues grew more than 500 percent for the four weeks ended May 16, the Evansville,

IN-based family footwear retailer said more than 70 percent of sales in reopened doors were generated by its loyalty club members.

Menomonee Falls, WI-based Kohl’s is exiting eight women’s private apparel brands this year but says it remains com-mitted to growing the active category, pointing out that it has doubled the seg-ment’s sales since 2013. New brands being introduced this fall online and in-store include Toms, which the retailer believes will resonate with its Millennial customers.

Hibbett Sports, which had its 1,000-plus store base open for approximately 60

percent of the period, suffered a 21 percent drop in first-quarter sales and a year-over-year comp sales decline of 19.5 percent. Still, the Birmingham, AL-based sporting goods retailer realized a nearly 111 per-cent increase in first-quarter e-commerce sales to slightly more than 22 percent of period revenues, or an implied $59.4 mil-lion. Responding to customer need during the pandemic, Hibbett implemented a curbside pick-up program in a six-hour period. Susquehanna’s Sam Poser think the retailer has a distinct advantage going forward, with most of its locations in rural areas or off-mall.—Bob McGee

Retailers See Casual Athletic On TopEARNINGS REPORT


THE FOOTWEAR EYE


Retailers Look at B-T-S: Walk the Tightrope And Keep Your Eyes Wide Open

By Bob McGee

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey may have faded into the annals of U.S. history, but there will be plenty of balancing acts to watch this upcoming Back-to-School season

as retailers try to figure out a strategy for a B-T-S the likes of which we’ve never experi-enced before.

Footwear retailers have always had to hedge their pre-season buying bets on the brands and styles young consumers will gravitate to as they return to classrooms. Over the years, this task has been complicated by staggered school start dates, regional differences and a growing inclination by students to delay their purchases until the actual classroom return.

Complicating the 2020 back-to-school retail approach are overhang effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some school districts may continue remote learning, delaying or limiting students’ return to the classroom — and the need for parents to purchase the hottest kicks. These instances are a worst-case scenario for footwear retailers already dealing with factors that impact consumer purchases. Among them: Economic uncertainty and unemployment impacting discretionary spending; ongoing health con-cerns; promotional environment and excess inventory impact; rising e-commerce and curbside pickup demands; and pared back brand assortments.

In 2019, the annual National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics survey projected that U.S. families with chil-dren in elementary through high school would spend $696.70 on average for the upcoming back-to-school season. The study also found that 51 percent of all school-related purchases would be influenced by sales and promotions. This year, given all the footwear and apparel that remained in closed brick-and-mortar doors between mid-March and mid-May, coupled with recent retail bankruptcies and

closures, the availability of “special buys” will likely rise. To limit the margin impact, some footwear vendors are taking back excess inventory to sell through on their direct-to-consumer sites and promising to deliver a steady dose of product “freshness” for those headed back to classrooms and college campuses. In other cases, unsold core footwear styles are being packed away for retail re-release in Spring 2021.

In a recent blog post about sports retail under COVID-19, NPD’s Matt Powell offered a number of insights. Among his observations:

there are heightened levels of consumer interest in wellness and fitness post-pandemic; rising brand loyalty among consumers; a possible shift away from sport lifestyle footwear to more ver-satile, multipurpose performance shoes; a likely resurgence in running footwear and

ongoing strength in e-commerce and DTC sales by vendors and key retailers alike. More disturbing for B-T-S prospects, Powell also suggested a “bumpy recovery” for physical

retail stores, citing CivicScience research suggesting 50 percent of Academy Sports & Fitness customers will be comfortable shopping in-store in more than four months and 30 percent of Foot Locker and The Finish Line customers citing the same four-month window. (Dick’s Sporting Goods’ customers had a more favorable outlook, with approxi-mately half suggesting they would shop in-store soon.)

Dick’s CEO Ed Stack recently said the full-line sporting goods retailers will be “very aggressive in the athletic footwear category, especially around running” with a broader assortment.

Caleres CEO and President Diane Sullivan cited performance categories, sport lifestyle casual and easy-wearing footwear as where the market is today, and added Famous will continue to support iconic brands that have been performing well in the banner, but will lower investments in traditional casual and dress footwear.

Cliff Sifford, CEO of Shoe Carnival, told analysts that the last 10 days of fiscal July 2019 began the chain’s seasonal ramp-up last year and generated 50 percent of its sales for the month.

“If schools continue e-learnings or delay the B-T-S start date, we could see a high-single-digit decline in fiscal July [2020], resulting in a low-single-digit decline for the second quarter,” he said. “However, if we see a traditional start to B-T-S, we could see a low- to mid-single-digit comp increase for the quarter.”

In spite of a challenging first quarter, Shoe Carnival was pleased with the sales perfor-mance of athletic and children’s during the period. Sifford also agreed with an assessment from Susquehanna’s Sam Poser that lifestyle footwear is going to be “much more casual” going into 2021.

Kohl’s, which has doubled its active busi-ness since 2013, says it remains committed to the category and that continues to show momentum due to customers’ renewed focus on staying healthy. The 1,000-plus store chain is utilizing 40 percent of its doors to

FORECAST

“If schools con-tinue e-learnings or delay the B-T-S start date, we could see a high-single-digit decline in fiscal July [2020], resulting in a low-single-digit decline for the second quarter.”Cliff Sifford, CEO of Shoe Carnival

fulfill online orders and has seen adoption of its recently launched drive-up pick-up service quickly surpass BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick-Up In Store).

As for the chain’s overall B-T-S approach, CEO Michelle Gass says it is planning “very prudently and cautiously,” but will bring in fresh merchandise for the season.

Zumiez CEO Rick Brooks recently told analysts that the lifestyle chain, which grew

its online sales nearly 76 percent during the last two months of the first quarter, believes the banner’s young customer has “pent-up demand from two months of quarantine

and is looking for newness and interactions with the brands they trust…And we believe there’s less competition for discretionary dollars.”

The chain’s merchandising team worked diligently to cancel or push out orders in the first quarter due to the pandemic, ending the period with only a 0.3 percent increase

in year-over-year inventory. “We feel there are just so many uncertain-

ties about what B-T-S is going to look like,” Brooks said. “We certainly have reduced hours. Remember, we’re doing these [sales] results in most cases in a large majority of our locations where traffic has been metered between 25 to 50 percent of occupancy. So we’re still uncertain about what all that means [and] how does that translate into a peak season?”

Nonetheless Zumiez buyers are continuing to pursue fall inventory, particularly in the skate and apparel segments, despite some market supply chain challenges.

Foot Locker, which found its apparel business “a little bit difficult” in the first quarter, believes one of the big positives in the upside-down first quarter, when the vast majority of its doors were shuttered, was its omnichannel status, which it plans to leverage even further.

“We’ll use our digital assets to drive people to the stores,” CEO Dick Johnson told ana-lysts. “We’ll use our store assets to make sure that we’re connecting with people and

getting them to look at our digital and social content… I think that consumer has become more adaptive and more comfortable to shop across channels with us.”

Foot Locker’s inventory was up approxi-mately 20 percent at the end of the first

quarter. Management is focused on managing the flow of products as its stores reopen.

“There are mul-tiple scenarios that we planned against, but I think we’ve demonstrated how very nimble we are in adjusting that and

responding to how our customers are responding to the products,” said Lauren Peters, Foot Locker CFO.

The many possible impacts on 2020 Back-to-School will require retailers of all sorts to improve their balancing act skills to effectively “walk the tightrope” and reach the other side: The holiday season and a path to a (hopefully) less-pandemic-affected 2021. l

THE FOOTWEAR EYE

“We feel there are just so many uncertainties about what B-T-S is going to look like.”Rick BrooksCEO, Zumiez

“We’ll use our store assets to make sure that we’re connecting with people and getting them to look at our digital and social content.” Dick JohnsonCEO, Foot Locker

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The $170 Aerantis from GEOX has a breathable nappa leather upper and a contrast heel for style that stays cool around the clock.


FALL ’20 TREND

Versatile, stylish, comfortable—there’s a sneaker for every outfit and very season, as these fall ’20 picks prove.

Satin and suede make for a potent package in the $120 Nana cushioned everyday sneaker from VIONIC.

The $75 TravelBound from PROPET is a streamlined take on modern athletic.

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AS BRANDS LOOK AHEAD TO SPRING ’21,

they’re planning for a season of opposites.

In the wake of the unprecedented

disruption the COVID-19 shutdowns caused

this Spring, comfort labels are planning

for fresh new looks for retailers who want

to add vibrancy to their core offering

— as well as stocking classic looks that

transcend seasons.

“For Spring, we are looking to keep with

more closed-up product as our focus, as we

know there is going to be a lot of Spring ’20

sandal inventory with all of the disruption,”

said Jennifer Sokso, director of marketing

and customer service for Propet USA.

“Accounts are looking for value-priced

contemporary comfort casual sandals.

Footbed sandals are in demand as are

flat sandals with bold ornamentation in

a mix bright, vibrant colors. We’re also

seeing a demand for neutrals,” added

Angela Paterson, national sales manager

for Camtrade Footwear.

But no matter the aesthetic, comfort is key.

Adjustable closures, cushioned footbeds

and easy-wearing, increasingly sustainable

materials make for all-day wear. l

T H E

SPRING ’21 TREND


The Regina C5 sandal ($105) from RIEKER brings the sunshine with a cheerful yellow upper and a natural contrast heel strap.

The flirty Platium heeled sandal ($130) from SPRING STEP L’ARTISTE pairs a chunky heel with a trend-right perfed upper in eye-catching colors.


The sophisticated Amata Cork Wedge ($80) style from ENJOIYA sets off classic lines with a natural cork midsole.

Trend-right orange adds a punch of color to SOFT COMFORT’sPerforated Wedge sandal ($50), which has adjustable upper straps and a hook-and-loop closure for accessibility.

The $90 Santa Monica Sunrise Backstrap from TIMBERLAND serves utility chic with a toothy camo midsole and a bold upper made with leather from a LWG Silver-rated tannery.

SECRET CELEBRITY’s Floral Thong Sandal ($40) sets off turquoise shades with delicate gold embellishment. A cushioned footbed serves all-day comfort.

REMONTE’s $115 Jocelyn 50 style has three points of adjustability, a cushioned footbed and a festival-ready multicolored upper.

WALDLAUFFER’s orthotic-friendly $160 Bailey sandal has closed-up style to spare with a printed leather upper and an adjustable hook-and-loop closure.

The flirty Platium heeled sandal ($130) from SPRING STEP L’ARTISTE pairs a chunky heel with a trend-right perfed upper in eye-catching colors.

To our industry friends and partners, While the world around us has been shifting dramatically, so too has the

way we are collectively running our businesses. We have all been forces to evaluate every area of our operations and work in new ways amid a changing landscape.

Yet, while these are unusual and difficult times, we have been inspired

by the amazing resiliency, creativity and passion we see every day. Ours is a unique and amazing community – a fact that’s been confirmed by all of you, our partners, as well as the consumers you serve. Furthermore, as communities across the country grapple with the reality and the effects of overt and systemic racism in our own cities and beyond, HOKA affirms its position as actively anti-racist, and applauds those who are taking strides to make our industry, and our world, safer and more welcoming for everyone.

To thank you for the work you do, we are now accepting nominations for

this year’s HOKA ONE ONE Community Service Award. This annual award highlights outstanding retailers whose reach goes beyond selling footwear to building and improving your communities. You can nominate a retailer by contacting your local HOKA Account Executive.

We thank you for your partnership – yesterday, today and tomorrow. We

are in this together, are here to support one another, and will continue to support you and your customers at the highest level.

It’s Time to Fly™

WATCH JP ALIPIO’S STORY ABOUT CREATING NEW COMMUNITIES TO PROTECT THE MOUNTAINS IN THE PHILIPPINESAT HOKAONEONE.COM


NAVIGATING THE NEW NORMAL

Customer service used to mean a thorough fit process, thoughtful product recommendations and personal attention. We should know: Footwear Insight has been recognizing shops that excel with the Gold Medal Service

Award since 2015. But in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdowns that resulted, the footwear independents who set the standard for treating customers right have had to grapple with an entirely new world: Service with a smile looks a lot different

when you’re smiling behind a mask.But even amidst uncertainty, the country’s best shops have been

moving forward with innovative business models that let them stay in touch with the customers and kept business going, even under unprecedented challenges. We asked some top-scoring, Gold Medal Service Award winning shops how the crisis will change their business. Here, we break down the lessons they’ll be carrying forward into the new normal.

Private booths are the latest safety measures at Austin’s Karavel Shoes.

BY JENNIFER ERNST BEAUDRY

PAST GOLD MEDAL SERVICE AWARD WINNERS ON THE PANDEMIC AND SHUTDOWN’S LASTING EFFECTS

Brenda Felger, owner of Felger’s Footwear in Houma, LA, said thor-oughly disinfecting and cleaning all surfaces after each customer

— counters, samples, door handles — is the new order of the day. “We’ve always had a strong cleaning regiment and now it’s stronger, which I didn’t think was pos-sible,” Felger said.

Every store that spoke to Footwear Insight is requiring masks for employees (stores were split on whether they would enforce mask-wearing for patrons), and most are limiting the number of shoppers who come in the door at a given time.

Felger said she isn’t requiring masks for shoppers, although many do wear them.

“Most of them would rather be done with this — they’ve had enough,” she said. “They’re [feeling] refreshed to shop and to get out.”

Some stores, like Karavel Shoes, have completely changed their in-store environ-ment in response to the virus. Owner Rick Ravel has set up 16 booths on the floor of his 6,000-sq.ft. Austin shop, allowing for 32 customers to be served at a time. Initially by appointment only and now serving walk-ups as space allows, Karavel reopened requiring masks and tempera-ture checks for all shoppers. (The store has also been making and selling — to cus-tomers and other retailers — 3D printed face shields. The cost is $10, donated to the food bank of the buyer’s choice, and the initiative has raised more than $2,000 for food banks across the country thus far.) Ravel said he’s had one customer

object to the precautions, but that by and large, they’ve been welcomed by his shop-pers, who tend to fall into the high-risk senior citizen category.

In fact, he’s incorporated the message into his TV advertising, showing pictures of the set up with the message, “Your safety is our biggest concern.”

“We found that our customers are extremely comfortable and impressed,” he said.

Lanne Stauffer, co-owner of Seattle’s Market Street Shoes, said her staff has worked hard to strike a balance. Masks are required, and touchless hand sanitizer dispensers and floor clings illustrating a “responsible radius” (she adopted the “friendlier” term, she said, from her daugh-ter, who learned it at nursing school) have

been installed. And Stauffer said she’s ordered name badges with each employ-ee’s picture on them, so customers can still see their smiling faces even when they are masked. And co-owner Ryan Stauffer said the store used the weeks it was closed to invest in additional training on sales tech-niques and customer service so the staff would be absolutely ready when the doors reopened.

“We really want people to feel welcome,” Lanne Stauffer said, “And not feel like they’re breaking the rules, that it’s a not a punitive situation.”

Most shops said all the additional ways to shop they launched during shutdown — curbside pickups, private shopping during extended hours, phone consultations and free shipping or options to buy online — will continue, and Lanne Stauffer said that’s definitely the case at Market Street.

“After-hours appointments, curbside pickup — as long as this is happening, until there’s a vaccine, I’ll accommodate anything,” she said. l


CUSTOMERS WANT TO FEEL SAFE, WELCOME AND CARED FOR

1

Store owners say customer service post-shutdown boils down to a balancing act: Demonstrating the ways you’re keeping shoppers safe,

while making the shopping experience as enjoyable as possible.

“Most customers would rather be done with this.They’re feeling refreshed to shop, and to get out.”Brenda Felger, Felger’s Footwear

Rick Ravel shows off his shop’s 3D printed face shields.

PAST GOLD MEDAL SERVICE AWARD WINNERS ON THE PANDEMIC AND SHUTDOWN’S LASTING EFFECTS


CATEGORIES MAY SHIFT2

As customers return to stores, owners are seeing material differences in how and what they are buying.

THE PANDEMIC AND SHUTDOWN’S LASTING EFFECTS

A s his five Alan’s Shoes stores in Tucson, AZ reopened in the begin-ning of May, owner Alan Miklofsky said he and his staff have been

diving into the numbers — and seeing changes. For starters: Men’s sales have bounced back in a way women’s have not. “Men seem less reluctant to come back in store,” Miklofsky said, noting that the store will be tweaking its social media messaging to appeal more to women.

But it’s not just the gender split. “We’ve been data mining, and my athletic business is not down as much as other segments,” he said. “We think after talking to other people that the ‘need’ business has resumed, and the ‘want’ business is lackluster.”

The shift has been dramatic, he said: “Since we’ve been reopened, athletic is 45 percent of our business when it was 31 per-cent of our business.”

For the 14 Beck’s Shoes stores in Northern

California and Nevada, a shift has occurred, too — but possibly in the other direction. With a portion of the workboot-focused chain operating continuously through the

shutdown as an essential business and all doors open since mid-May, CEO Adam Beck said the industrial demand is “definitely there for us.” But Beck’s has seen a surge in lifestyle footwear and accessories sales. By volume, he said, the core industrial offering makes up 40 to 45 percent of the business, but has receded to about 10 to 15 percent of sales. He credits it to shoppers hungry to buy when so many places have been shut.

Steve Rueda, owner of Turnpike Comfort Footwear in Queens, N.Y., said he’s pre-dicting post-shutdown sales will follow the need-versus-want pattern as well, and he’s adjusting accordingly. Rueda said his plan is to concentrate much more narrowly on the comfort staples and his pedorthic/custom modification business, and put less emphasis on fashion styles.

“Going into the fall, I’m not going to build on dress footwear — no one’s going out,” he said. l

“We think after talking to other people that the ‘need’ business has resumed, and the ‘want’ business is lackluster.”Alan Miklofsky

Alan Miklofsky

The sales floor at Turnpike Comfort Footwear.


Contact: Keith KeokukBusiness Development [email protected]

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THE BACK END ISN’T BUSINESS AS USUAL3

For many businesses, decisions on buying, marking down and future orders are being reevaluated

using a completely overhauled set of criteria.

We’ve kept people employed, we’re communicating more than we ever did and we’re managing cash flow better than ever before.”Adam Beck, Beck’s Shoes

Multiple retailers told Footwear Insight that the shutdown had made liquidity a top prior-ity for the foreseeable future.

CARES Act funds have been a bridge, although many retailers said planning for longer-term viability will require multiple approaches.

At Wesley’s Shoes in Chicago, owner Bruce Wesley said being approved for the Paycheck Protection Program as well as the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs have helped rebuild the busi-ness, but that rent abatements from the University of Chicago (the store’s land-lord) and working with vendor partners have been critical.

Alan’s Shoes’ Miklofsky said most stores will need to think differently for at least

the balance of 2020, maintaining liquidity to keep their merchandise mix appropri-ate and meet business needs.

“The overall equation is that it’s less about profit this year than it is about cash flow,” he said. “Cash is king, and you’ll need to hoard or obtain as much cash as possible to get through the year.”

“The no. 1 takeaway is cash flow, cash flow, cash flow,” Beck agreed. But Beck said his shop has seen a silver lining in the struggles. “Company morale is at an all-time high. We’ve kept people employed, we’re communicating more than we ever did and we’re managing cash flow better than ever before,” he said. “It’s been a lot to take in, but we’re going to be better business people because of the pandemic.” l

The Beck’s Shoes sales floor.

Felger’s Footwear



Visit nsra.org, or call 800-673-8446

National Shoe Retailers AssociationAmerica’s largest organization supporting

independent footwear retailers — since 1912

On this difficult road to recovery, we wish for the health and safety of the

footwear community, families and friends.

We are committed to helping our members and sponsors restore and strengthen the

independent footwear retailing channel.

Independent retailers are survivors, and

have the heart, passion and innovation to pull

through this tough time.

FI NSRA Pandemic MayJune 2020.indd 1 5/13/2020 11:48:39 AM


SERVICE IS THE WAY FORWARD4

The bottom line is that the effects of the pandemic and the shutdown are far from over.

Even as doors have reopened, most shops are planning for a year where sales will be down 25 percent, 50 percent or more, with many saying

they’ll feel fortunate to break even for 2020. And many store owners said they didn’t expect to see fully normal traffic again until a vaccine was widely deployed. What will keep stores moving forward now and after, they said, was the service they offer.

“We’re in the sit-and-fit business and that’s still going to be around. We get people in whose feet hurt, but what we really sell is service. They can get the shoes anywhere. You want that experience,” Ravel said.

Miklofsky said the shutdown and reopen-ing have only underscored how critical it is for shops to be connected to their shoppers.

“The people that have the advantage right now have very close relationships to their cus-tomers — their customers need and want them to be open,” he said. “If you haven’t already built a tight relationship with your consumer, you need to be thinking about what you can do in the next few weeks to build and multiply that strength.” l

Sales staff have adapted to the new protocols. Clockwise from top left: Karavel Shoes; Market Street Shoes; Felger’s Footwear; Wesley’s Shoes.

“What we really sell is service. They can get the shoes anywhere. You want that experience.”Rick Ravel, Karavel Shoes


TRENDINSIGHT We surveyed 312 consumers. Here is what they told us.


Trend Insight Consumer is a feature within Textile Insight that delivers research conducted on the MESH01 Platform. MESH01 collects data from a select panel of sports enthusiasts. For information on the Mesh1 Platform, contact Brian Bednarek at 603-766-0957or [email protected]. For more information on Trend Insight Consumer and how your company can participate, contact Jeff Nott at 516-305-4711 or [email protected].

With most areas of the country open or soon to open to shopping, stores are looking to see how consumers will behave. We surveyed 312 shoppers ages 18 to 60 about their expected buying behavior. Most shoppers (58 percent of our respondents) have yet to make it back

in to their local footwear independents. But there’s some good news for shops: 79 percent of consumers say the measures they’ve seen in stores say that the safety measures they witnessed were “the right

amount.” And of consumers, 63 percent said they planned to shop in-store with the same frequency they did before the pandemic. n

CARPETRENDEM

THE SURVEY:

Shopping After Shutdown

S E I Z E T H E T R E N D !

Have retail shops reopened to some degree in your area?

If you answered “yes’ or “never closed,” have you started shopping at your local footwear retail establishments?

Did the safety measures seem to be…

12%

87%

YES NO

NO

The survey, conducted by MESH01, included 312 respondents, men and women, with an average age of 35 years old.

*1 Percent Never Closed

YES

THERIGHT AMOUNT

INSUFFICIENT

EXCESSIVE

79%10%11%

58%42%

POWERED BYwww.mesh01.com


Which of the below offerings at a brick-and-mortar footwear store would make you more likely to shop there?

26%

53%

21%

I will be buying less I will be buyingsimilar or new stylesand spending the

same amount

I will be buyingsimilar or new

styles but looking for lower prices

(In order of importance from 1 to 9 with 1 being the most important).

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#8

#7

#9

Require face covering for store associates

Limiting the amount of customers in store at any one time

Curbside pickup

Require face covering for customers

Sharing details of the cleaning process the stores undertake

Local delivery

Individual appointment shopping

I plan to shop as I have always done prior to the health crisis

Virtual fitting or consultation via video conference

What services (not mentioned in the rankings above) would make you feel more comfortable shopping at your favorite footwear store?

“Acknowledgement of the risk [and] assurance that things are being cleaned.” MALE, 44

“Keep[ing] everyone apart [and] clean[ing] shoes if you try on and don’t buy.” FEMALE, 25

“[A] temperature check at the entrance door would be beneficial, too.” MALE, 30

“A clean atmosphere with everyone respecting social distancing.” MALE, 29

“Return policy information.” FEMALE, 36

“Ensure there is hand sanitizer for customers. Have associates bring shoes to customers instead of customers going through the merchandise.” FEMALE, 51

“Just go back to the way it was. I’m comfortable with not wearing a mask and being around people.” MALE, 47

“Hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipes available [and] Plexiglas shield at checkout.” FEMALE, 41

“Make sure disposable socks are available for people trying on shoes.” MALE, 36

“Maybe designated hours for seniors and high-risk [shoppers].” FEMALE, 43

“Limitations on trying on shoes.” MALE, 32

“I am fine as it is. I don’t like wearing a mask and can’t wait for it to be done with.” FEMALE, 22

“Treating customers with respect and not like we are carrying diseases.” FEMALE, 36

“Stop hosting massive group runs with zero precautions.” FEMALE, 40

“Instructions on keeping distance in lines. Automatic door that don’t need to be touched.” MALE, 33

“More cleaning, less customers.” FEMALE, 38

“Gloves when trying shoes on.”MALE, 26

“Free delivery and returns. You have to try on shoes: There is no getting around it.” FEMALE, 55

Will you be adjusting your overall spending on footwear in response to the health crisis?


“None — love free delivery.” MALE, 44

“Too many email advertisements.” FEMALE, 46

“None. Local stores all offered similar services, and I would like to see them as permanent features.” MALE, 39

“Drop the masks — totally pointless. If people are in fear, they should stay home.” FEMALE, 38

“All of them except cleaning. That should have always been a priority.” MALE, 47

“Zoom fittings.” FEMALE, 51

“I don’t want another email telling me how they are cleaning the stores. That is required.” FEMALE, 58

“None. Love that it expanded their services and creativity to reach out to their customers and make us feel like we matter.” FEMALE, 49

“Customers need help with fitting a shoe. I’d prefer workers help the customer and then sanitize afterward instead of avoiding helping customers.” MALE, 35

“I am not aware of any special services. Just the extra cleaning, which is not a bad idea to keep.” FEMALE, 30

“Only old people can shop in the morning.” FEMALE 40

“None. I believe all special services during this time are advantageous to a customer.” FEMALE, 33

“Not my concern. Private business needs to be able to make business choices for themselves. Customers can make the choice to shop or not.” MALE 58

“I would like to see less emails from my favorite footwear store(s), as these increased during the crisis.” MALE, 26

“Face masks required for customers. While I understand this, I don’t like to shop with my mask on and likely wouldn’t go into a store that required it, just because I would want to get in and out quickly.” FEMALE, 35

TRENDINSIGHT We surveyed 312 consumers. Here is what they told us.

Multiple times each week

Weekly Monthly Every other month

I do not anticipateshopping at local

independentfootwear stores:

2%

3%

63%

31%

8%

26%

42%

21%

More often than before

About the same as before

Less often than before

How often do you anticipate shopping in local independent footwear establishments over the next few months?

Compared to before the pandemic, is that amount…

What services that your favorite footwear store extended during the crisis would you like to see dropped?

“I don’t think it will ever be normal again. I think there will always be some degree of separation or distance between people.” FEMALE, 25

“I’m glad stores are starting to reopen. I appreciate their efforts to help everyone feel safe in the stores. Normal has changed so much, hasn’t it? I would say that cleanliness has always remained my #1 priority, along with customer service and pricing. I don’t expect those items to change.” FEMALE, 44

“Normal would be no masks, and I don’t anticipate normal until a vaccine is found and disseminated, and/or we get better at treating this or preventing the spread.” FEMALE, 31

“I am not convinced that things will ever go back to ‘normal.’” FEMALE, 36

“No floor markings. No limits. No masks.” FEMALE, 42

“Is something we have to adjust [to], but normal will be for me to feel free to go shop without a mask.” FEMALE, 31

“I believe by the end of June/early July. Normal would be with masks, with sanitizing products in the store, limited customers, barriers between customers and cashiers.” FEMALE, 51

“In Pennsylvania, the Governor is ridiculous. No normal until a vaccine is established.” FEMALE, 43

“I don’t expect brick-and-mortar stores to return to ‘normal’ until at least spring of 2021. I also don’t know how to define ‘normal’ — I will be comfortable shopping (with a mask and sanitizer and with limited other shoppers) later this year… FEMALE, 39

“I don’t think it’ll happen anytime soon, but ‘normal’ is no masks, no clear dividers between customers and cashiers, no limit on number of people in the store. I appreciate the cleaning and hand sanitizer and hope that stays.” FEMALE, 35

“Locally, most have with the exception of limits on capacity. However, most local stores are rarely ever at capacity. I feel like this is the new normal. Masks during cold/flu season, increased service options to compete with online-only businesses, and more community engagement to promote their brand.” MALE, 39

“Never. I live in Illinois and they will never allow normal.” FEMALE, 48

“Expect to be back to normal in a month or two. Normal means no face mask, normal business hours and back to 100 percent capacity.” MALE, 47

“Hopefully ASAP. Normal means not worrying about this.” MALE, 46

“Not soon enough.” MALE, 32

“I would expect for them to return to normal only once this pandemic has been determined to be undoubtedly resolved through the availability of a cure and/or safe immunization for the general public. This would be for the sake of our society’s physical health and well-being as a whole. In my point of view, ‘normal’ in the context of shopping at brick-and-mortars would include doing away with: heavily implementing social-distancing, limiting number of customers in-store, prohibiting use of our own reusable bags, and debit/credit card as only forms of payment, just to name a few.” FEMALE, 33

“Nothing will ever be normal again. If someone sneezes, the whole state will be on lockdown again.” FEMALE, 22

“I think we are living the new normal.” FEMALE, 29

“Normal = my running store having group run events again. I think this will happen to some extent by the end of summer.” FEMALE, 30

“I don’t see normal for at least two years — [normal meaning] the good ole days going in to try 50 pairs of shoes on, converse with employees and enjoying a good laugh without fear.” FEMALE, 44

“Before Christmas hopefully, and no more face masks!” FEMALE 32

“To me, I think every store should be open now. Except for the deep-cleaning practices, normal now should be as it was before the virus.” FEMALE, 30

“Ours have, for the most part. Normal here [FLA] is defined as having your head in the sand and thinking the pandemic is a liberal conspiracy.” FEMALE, 40

“Normal is me being able to sit and linger at the store as long as I want so as I would not be pressured to decide on buying new shoes.” FEMALE, 32

“Normal would mean not wearing masks. The cleaning protocol should be adopted permanently. I don’t anticipate a return to normal until January 2021.” MALE, 35

“I don’t think brick-and-mortar stores will ever return to normal. I view normal as allowing unlimited customers to enter, to roam as they please, touch merchandise, etc.” FEMALE, 43

“I don’t think we will return to the same normal until there is a proven vaccine.” FEMALE, 24

“Never. I think this will be the new normal.” MALE, 47

“Labor Day. Normal would be defined as actions and standards (by customers and businesses) the same as prior to the pandemic.” MALE, 29

“Oh geez let me think. Well . . . probably not for the remainder of this year, but then again, we have a short-term memory here in the U.S., so the likelihood of us acting like we did prior would take only a month in my opinion. Now, continuance depends on how measures are enforced. To me, normal is the same standards prior to the pandemic.” MALE, 37

“A year? I’m not sure what normal looks like anymore. I don’t think we will be going back to the old normal and I hope we don’t need to continue at the current level of precautions. Hopefully we will end up somewhere in the middle.” FEMALE, 54

“Probably not for another year or so — it will be back to normal once there is a vaccine. Normal is when we go into a store without having to wear a mask or worrying about touching items or seeing people in public.” FEMALE, 40

“I hope it happens this month, and it would be whatever all stores were doing in January and February.” MALE, 21

“I feel that we will have a new normal for the foreseeable future until there is a vaccine available for COVID-19. We as Americans have a short memory so I feel within the next year, normal life will resume again. I do hope that the normal will include the hygiene practices that people have started to use (even though it should have been part of their normal routine anyways) and the cleaning practices now being used by businesses to help keep public places and surfaces cleaner.” MALE, 33


POWERED BYwww.mesh01.com

When do you expect brick-and-mortar stores to return to “normal” and how would you define “normal”?

Style Statement

LINES WE LIKE


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Brooks Tempo Knit Crew from the Run Proud collection.

Above: Reebok Instapump Fury Pride from the All Types of Love Collection benefitting the It Gets Better Project. At right: Reebok Club C 85 Pride.

Adidas NMD_R1 Pride sneaker, created in partnership with Athlete Ally and Stonewall.

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Reef slide from the Pride collection benefiting PFLAG National.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star from the Pride Footwear collection.

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