EXPERT OPINION

EXPERT OPINION

Plan B

Making The Brand: Sweet Pedtooties

Ever wonder what it would be like to start your own footwear brand? Susie Freedman Tapper, a footwear industry outsider, did. Last year she and her partner Mara Zipursky had a bright idea for an infant shoe line and began working on Sweet Pedtooties. We ...More

EXPERT OPINION

For Every Season, Turn, Turn, Turn

Paul Erickson Says Inventory Is Your Key to Success

You’ve artfully finessed your store displays, carefully trained your sales staff and done everything you possibly can to make your shoe store shine. But have you given enough thought to your inventory? “Inventory is the largest asset on your asset sheet,” says Paul Erickson. “It’s ...More

TOP SELLERS

High Steppin’ in Nebraska

One Devoted Customer Talks Shop

When April Lee bowed her shoe boutique, Steppin’ Out, almost six years ago, a loyal group of customers soon followed. “The majority of my customers have been with me since I opened,” she says. Among them is Linda Dreessen, a retiree who loves art and ...More

INDUSTRY NEWS

Heading Eastland

Edgy designs give the brand a whole new attitude

Best known for comfort casual weekend footwear, Eastland is getting edgier for fall ’09 thanks to the input of a new men’s designer.

Jordan Klein comes to the brand from Steve Madden and promises to put a new twist on the brand while ...More

SNEAK PREVIEW

FALL/WINTER '07

Sanita, Alpro Update Clogs

Comfort Comes in Cork, Rubber and Flex Materials

The traditional clog has come a long way from the hand-carved wooden versions of yore. Today, a roomy upper can be found not only on wooden soles, but cork, rubber and flexible materials....More

TOP SELLERS

Alabama Girls Gravitate To SunSan, Primigi

Black And Brights Ring In The Summer

Located in the remodeled warehouse district of downtown Cullman, Ala., If The Shoe Fits, Etc. stocks a wide selection of children’s styles—from flip flops to dress shoes—to keep kids on-trend. Started 13 years ago by friends Kerry Green and Dawn Cook, ...More

EXPERT OPINION

She’s Just Being Coye

Luxury Designer Dished on Inaugural Collection

Armed with a business background and a love for shoes, Coye Nokes stepped onto the footwear scene with the debut of her eponymous collection for fall ’09. “I recognized an opportunity around functional shoes for the professional woman that are modern and have ...More

FALL/WINTER

Birkenstock, Betula Slip Into Something Wonderful

Clogs Are A Classic Silhouette For Fall

A world apart from the traditional Danish clog, this season’s comfy slip-on styles take the classic shoe into uncharted territory with new twists. Perfect for casual, everyday wear, the durable construction and myriad comfort features with have ladies swooning, but it’s the updated ...More

LATEST NEWS

Industry Insider

Industry News

FIDM Hosts Open Portfolio Day

Meet the Footwear Designers of the Future

LOS ANGELES (June 17, 2009)—The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) is hosting Open Portfolio Day on June 22, an opportunity for the public to see the latest designs ...More

Industry News

JanSport Adds Rubber Sole

Limited-Edition Bags Target Sneakerheads

JanSport will send sneakerheads packing this fall with its limited-edition Sole Packs. The 1,500-bag collection will feature two designs—Sole Vert and Sole Pack—each outfitted with a custom-made rubber-molded ...More

Industry News

LaCrosse Acquires END

Outdoor Brand Established Subsidiary for the Deal

PORTLAND, Ore. (May 12, 2009)—LFI, a subsidiary of LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. (BOOT), was created to acquire certain assets of Environmentally Neutral Design Outdoor, Inc. Under the ...More

Industry News

Durea Gets U.S. Distribution With Drew

Comfort Shoe Company To Stock Dutch Comfort Brand

LANCASTER, Ohio (May 6, 2009)—Durea, a Netherlands-based manufacturer of women’s comfort shoes, has named Drew Shoe Corporation as its exclusive distributor for the United States and Canada regions.

Industry News

Crocs Reports Mixed 1Q Results

Quarter Shows Improvement Over End of Year

NIWOT, Colo. (May 8, 2009)—According to the financial results for Crocs, Inc., (CROX), the company’s first quarter showed improvement over the fourth quarter of 2008, but significant decreases ...More

Industry News

Skechers Sales Down In Q1

Company Focused on Reducing Inventory and Expenses

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. (May 4, 2009)—The first quarter ended March 31 was a challenging one for Skechers USA, Inc. (SKX). Net sales dropped more than $40 million reaching ...More

Industry News

Every Step Counts At Runway Show

Fashion Event Benefits Survivors of Abuse

ST. LOUIS (April 28, 2009)—Every Step Counts, Inc. (EstepCo) hosted its annual Walk in Her Shoes designer shoe fashion and trunk show April 11. The event, which benefited ...More

Industry News

Deckers Maintains Record Growth

First Quarter Net Sales Rise Almost 70 Percent

GOLETA, Calif. (Apr. 27, 2009)—Deckers Outdoor Corp. (DECK) reported record results for a positive first quarter led by the success of Ugg, which experienced 66.9 percent ...More

Industry News

Crocs Creates Athletic Recovery Line

Prepair Collection Offers Ergonomic Benefits

NIWOT, Colo. (Apr. 27, 2009)—Athletes can now wind down from their workout or competition by slipping into a pair of Crocs (CROX). The molded footwear company has launched ...More