Footwear News | Shoes and Boots News | Fashion Trends – Footwear-News.com

Footwear News: reporting on the latest in shoes industry , Sneaker & Boots trends, fashion news and celebrity style.Footwear-News.com

  • HOME

Archive for April, 2024

FN Summit 2024 Speakers Revealed: See Who’s on ‘The Hot List’

FN Summit, June 2024, Crocs, Deckers, On, Golden Goose
FN’s power-packed summit is set for June 25.
COURTESY OF COMPANIES

During a critical period for the industry, FN is assembling the innovative architects at the center of the biggest success stories in shoes for a day-long summit on June 25 in New York.

Welcome to “The Hot List.”

In addition to showcasing the new powers, the event — which will take place at 583 Park — centers around several key themes: the hot markets that are driving the industry forward; the retail innovations that are fueling a brick-and-mortar comeback; the AI revolution; and the critical DEI conversation.

“The industry is clearly in a period of transition, and we feel it is vital to have the really successful players on stage to talk, inspire and debate the current state of business and the huge technological advances looming with the wider adoption of AI and retail transformation,” said Michael Atmore, Editorial Director of FN and Chief Brand Officer of Fairchild Media Group.

Below, we reveal the big names who will take stage. More speakers will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Dave Powers, president and chief executive officer of Deckers Brands, has been steering incredible growth at not just one, but two blockbuster brands — Hoka and Ugg. As the executive prepares to retire, he will share valuable leadership lessons and secrets to success.

Speaking of success, Crocs has racked up win after win, thanks to its quirky and comfortable product and attention-grabbing collections. Its influential women-in-power duo — outgoing president Michelle Poole and incoming president (and current chief financial officer) Anne Mehlman — will sit down with FN for a special conversation.

Few brands have captured the attention of consumers like Golden Goose, which has major momentum ahead of a likely IPO later this year. CEO Silvio Campara will open his playbook for summit attendees as the company continues to emphasize its one-of-a-kind product, open cool stores around the world and team up with of-the-moment collaborators.

As the huge momentum in the running market continues, On is racing ahead. Chief Commercial Officer Britt Olsen, who steers the DTC strategy and wholesale partnerships, will give the audience insight into Retail 3.0 as the landscape quickly evolves.

From intern to chief merchandising officer, Saks’ Tracy Margolies has been at the center of the retail world for more than two decades. Through it all, she’s been a central force in the shoe industry and will give us a look at her incredible ride.

The event will also go inside the burning issues shaking up the industry right now.

As corporate diversity progress stalls amid a period of backlash, André Pinard, director of culture at Exposure and former Adidas executive, will lead an important conversation about the road ahead and examine what’s really working in DEI — and what’s not.

There’s no question that AI is reshaping every aspect of the business, from product to retail to hiring. A group of executives and experts, including PacSun chief digital officer Shirley Gao, will look at the huge developments that will drive business in the back half of 2024 and beyond.

2024
04/24
CATEGORY
BUSINESS
TAGS
CEO
Hoka
hot
key
key themes
list
Officer
revealed
running
see
speakers
summit
Ugg
Welcome
who
wholesale
35 comments

Foot Locker vs. Dick’s Sporting Goods vs. JD Sports Are Battling for Market Share: Who Owns What?

JD Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods, Foot Locker
Clockwise: JD Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker storefronts.
GETTY IMAGES

The race to get a grip on the athletic footwear and sporting goods retail landscape continues.

On Tuesday, U.K.-based sneaker retailer JD Sports revealed its plans to acquire Birmingham, Ala.-based retailer Hibbett. The acquisition is JD’s latest move to make inroads in the hyper-competitive U.S. retail landscape, which began in March 2018 when it announced the acquisition of Finish Line for $558 million.

Currently, JD Sports has a fleet of 3,400 stores in 32 countries, and is continuing to expand. Its primary competitors in the U.S. are Foot Locker Inc., which operates 2,600 retail stores in 26 countries, and Dick’s Sporting goods, which has more than 850 doors between all of its banners.

Below is a breakdown of the banners JD Sports, Foot Locker Inc. and Dick’s Sporting Goods owns.

JD Sports

  • In March 2018, JD Sports announced the acquisition of Finish Line for $558 million.
  • In December 2020, JD Sports announced its acquisition of Shoe Palace Corp. for $325 million.
  • DTLR was acquired by JD Sports in February 2021 for $495 million.
  • JD Sports announced plans to acquire Hibbett in April 2024, and stated the transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of the year.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

  • Dick’s Sporting Goods agreed to buy Golf Galaxy in November 2006 for $225 million, and the acquisition was finalized in February 2007.
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods announced in November 2020 that it would enter the outdoor category with Public Lands. The first store opened in Cranberry Township, Pa., in September 2021.
  • In April 2021, the retailer revealed a new store concept, House of Sport, replete with “multisport experiences.”
  • Dick’s announced its off-price debut in May 2021 with Going, Going, Gone!, as well as its Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse Sale store format.
  • In February 2023, Dick’s Sporting Goods announced the acquisition of outdoor retailer Moosejaw from Walmart. The terms were not disclosed.

Foot Locker Inc.

  • Champs Sports and Kids Foot Locker are subsidiaries of Foot Locker Inc. In June 2022, Foot Locker Inc. merged the Eastbay.com retail website into the Champs Sports banner, in line with its plan to consolidate the two banners that began in 2019.
  • Foot Locker Inc. announced in August 2021 the acquisition of WSS (Eurostar Inc.) for $750 million and Atmos (Text Trading Company K.K.) for $360 million, both cash deals. (In October 2023, the company confirmed with FN that it was closing Atmos’ three U.S. stores and focus on Japan.)
2024
04/24
CATEGORY
BUSINESS
TAGS
Birmingham
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting
Eastbay
Foot Locker
GETTY IMAGES
goods
Hibbett
Japan
JD Sports
JD’s
Tuesday
two banners
UK
19 comments

New Balance Signs Star Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft

Marvin Harrison Jr., New Balance, NFL, football
Marvin Harrison Jr.
COURTESY OF NEW BALANCE

New Balance has added a promising wide receiver to its loaded roster of athletes ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft: Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Boston-based athletic powerhouse announced on Tuesday that it had signed Harrison Jr., who played college football at Ohio State. During his college days, he earned All-American honors twice and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 2023, which is given to the most outstanding receiver.

Ahead of the draft, which will begin Thursday, Harrison Jr. has been widely projected both as a top-five pick and the first wide receiver to be selected. He is the son of NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who played his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts.

In a statement, New Balance said Harrison Jr. will “play an integral role in the evolution” of its inaugural football cleat collection. Also, New Balance said as it launches its first football products, Harrison Jr. will “help the brand reach young players” and “change the perception that players must sacrifice fit and feel when it comes to cleats.” He will also appear in brand campaigns across performance and lifestyle.

“Family is very important to me and joining a family brand like New Balance felt like I was building a relationship that centers on trust and shared values,” Harrison Jr. said in a statement. “Being able to work closely with the design and product creation team so quickly and helping them launch the new cleats is just icing on the cake. I am excited to do the work and build something that will inspire the next generation and help me excel as I enter my professional football career.”

During his final season at Ohio State, Harrison Jr.’s stats included 14 touchdowns, 67 receptions and 1,211 yards. He is now part of an athlete roster that includes 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff, two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard, two-time Olympic gold medalist track-and-field athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and more.

“From the first conversation with Marvin it was clear that he was a perfect fit for us at New Balance, his drive, passion and incredible work ethic speak to the person that he is on and off the field,” New Balance head of global sports marketing for American football and basketball Naveen Lokesh said in a statement. “His dedication to everything he does will help us launch New Balance into the American football category and push the boundaries of what athletes can do to inspire the next generation. We are excited to start this journey together and co-author our legacy in sport culture.”

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place April 25-27, and coverage will be provided by NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at [email protected].

2024
04/24
CATEGORY
BUSINESS
TAGS
ABC
FOOTBALL
Harrison Jr
Marvin Harrison
NEW BALANCE
nfl
NFL Network
4 comments

Muleboyz Talk Most Surprising Mule Collabs, Nike’s Clogposite Comeback and Crocs’ ‘Godfather’ Status

MuleBoyz, Jian DeLeon, Noah Thomas, Birkenstock, Boston, mules, mens shoes
Noah Thomas and Jian DeLeon alongside a pair of Birkenstock Boston mules.
COURTESY

Jian DeLeon and Noah Thomas love mules.

From what started out as a fun podcast idea when they both worked at Highsnobiety, the duo’s Muleboyz project has since amassed an audience of nearly 44,000 Instagram followers and has brought in multiple brand collaborations in just a few short years.

Indeed, the menswear industry’s go-to mule experts – who frequently work with brands like Birkenstock and Lusso Cloud – have given the term “side hustle” a new meaning; often merging their love of mules into their “day jobs.”

This was notably seen when Birkenstock released an exclusive Muleboyz blue colorway of its popular Boston model at Nordstrom in the summer of 2022, followed by a green colorway for the retailer last summer. (DeLeon is the men’s fashion director at Nordstrom. Thomas also works in the industry as the associate fashion director for men’s and kids at Macy’s.)

MuleBoyz, Birkenstock, Boston, mules, mens shoes

MuleBoyz exclusive blue colorway of the Birkestock Boston for Nordstrom. BRIAN BILLS

The duo’s rise in popularity also makes sense given the increased interest in mules for men over the last few years. According to recent data from Circana’s Retail Tracking Service, sales for men’s mules and clogs totaled $492.6 million in 2023. The retail analytics firm also noted that sales are being driven by more premium price point brands like Birkenstock and Ugg with their key mule and clog items. These styles are also gender neutral and are driving the category for women as well, Circana added.

Here, FN catches up with DeLeon and Thomas to discuss the story behind creating Muleboyz, trends in the category, their holy grail mules and how to style the popular model for beginners.

FN: How did you come up with the Muleboyz concept?

Jian DeLeon: We started Muleboyz when we were both at Highsnobiety. We had a podcast there, and we were just trying to find ways to promote it.

Noah Thomas: We came up with the idea when we were on an elevator. I was wearing my first pair of Birkenstocks, the one’s where they collaborated with 032c, and I was wearing those all around the office. You [Jian] had on the Gucci River mules, and you just started yelling ‘mule boys’.

JD: Once we started people began sending us photos of them wearing different mules. A lot of feet photos with the Muleboyz hashtag. Yeah, guys started sending us photos of their feet in mules, and I guess that’s better than the regular feet photos without shoes.

MuleBoyz, Jian DeLeon, Noah Thomas, Birkenstock, Boston, mules, mens shoes
Jian DeLeon and Noah Thomas. BRIAN BILLS

NT: So, our social media presence started as a story highlight and we kept getting so many pictures, we just decided to launch an account. And we just started posting religiously every single day.

JD: Well, I think COVID helped with the adoption of mules as a go-to shoe. For people going on that bodega run or those times you would just leave the house to go get groceries. You leave a pair by the door and they’re very useful. All the brands started to take notice, too. Countless brands started to chop the heel off of their shoes.

NT: There’s always an item that menswear adopts that’s been around forever. Men get excited about these items like they’re brand new and I think we kind of jumped on mules right before it became that item.

FN: What is your go-to mule by the door?

JD: Birkenstock Bostons, Crocs Dylan, the 3sixteen collab we did, the Lusso Clouds.

NT: The Lusso Cloud collab that we did are by my door all the time. Keens are also a nice addition to keep by the door, and I’d also add the Birkenstock Boston forever.

JD: I also keep a pair of LVs by the door too. Louis Vuitton made some nice mules starting with the Nigo collab they did with Virgil [Abloh], and I still have a pair of monograms – I wear those regularly. They’re my flight mules.

FN: What trends stand out in the mule world right now?

JD: There’s a tactical mule thing happening right now that can be seen in the Crocs collab with Beams, and Nicole McLaughlin’s tie-up with Merrell on the Moc Speed 1TRL.

NT: I also like how mules are becoming very light. That made mules a bit more accessible to the average wearer that were concerned with how heavy and clunky they used to be sometimes. So now mules are becoming a lot more lightweight by using EVA or that Extralight sole.

Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God, Footwear News, Footwear News Achievement Awards
Jerry Lorenzo wearing the Fear of God California mule. HANNAH FAITH LORD

JD: Almost every luxury brand has some version of that molded shoe like the Fear of God California.

NT: That kind of set the category off. I mean Crocs has been around forever and is a bit of a ‘godfather’ in the category. But what actually got the fashion world on its toes immediately, I would say, is the Fear of God California mule. Then that mixed with Salehe [Bembury] doing the Croc made people want to actually spend resale prices on something that wasn’t a sneaker. That’s when everything went crazy.

FN: What have been some surprising releases in the mule world?

NT: The Dior x Birkenstock collab and the Manolo x Birkenstock collab.

JD: The Dior Birkenstock came out of nowhere. There’s been a lot of great collaborations but also in-line at brands like Toga Virilis, which is doing some interesting styles with a big western style buckle.

NT: Also, to see Nike bring back the Clogposite, clearly, they were seeing the demand for the category for Nike to bring it back. That was exciting.

JD: It’s also exciting to see what Ugg has been doing, too. Like the Gallery Dept. collaboration came out of nowhere and they’ve done some great collabs with Denim Tears what were nice.

NT: Those are grails – the Denim Tears x Ugg mules inspired by Tremaine Emory’s great grandmother’s Black Seminole heritage were incredible.

dior, dior birkenstock, birkenstock, kim jones, dior homme, dior men's, men's fall 2022, fall 2022, runway, fashion
Birkenstock’s new Tokio mule and Milano sandal for its collaboration with Dior Men’s was one of the hottest mules for fall ’22. COURTESY OF DIOR

Q: What are some of the greatest mules of all time?

NT: The Birkenstock A630 and A640 mule that’s more of a chef or gardening shoe, that’s the best shoe in the world to me. It goes with absolutely everything. Also, the Hermès clog, the Birkenstock Boston is forever, the Crocs Dylan and the Marni Fussbett. Marni’s Fussbett was one of the first commercially successful styles in the designer space. The green gives very Grinch energy, which I love.

JD: JW Anderson really led the charge in designer mules as well. He started with a lot of loafer takes and the exaggerated chains, followed by the collab with Wellipets on the frog mules. Martine Rose is definitely up there. Not only with her in-line mules with the square toe, but also the collab she did with Nike where she did the Shox with the heeled mule. Those were so good.

NT: Salehe also changed the game. I’m sure Crocs is very happy.

Martine Rose x Nike Shox mule. FARFETCH

Q: What clogs do you predict will be popular this spring and summer?

JD: Birkenstock 1774’s new 222 West model as well as the main line Tokio. I want to get my hands on those. Also, Martine Rose and her Clarks collaboration, the next one is about to come out with a mule. At.Kollektive, Ecco’s experimental line, should also be watched as well.

NT: Uggs, too. They are making other models and more of a slip on with a rubber footbed, the clog energy is strong.

Salehe Bembury X Crocs Pollex Clog
Salehe Bembury X Crocs Pollex Clog.COURTESY OF CROCS

FN: What advice do you have for guys that only wear sneakers and are interested in trying out mules for the first time?

JD: The Birkenstock Boston is the gateway into the mule world.

NT: I would say the Birkenstock Boston is very much like wearing a raw denim where it’s going to take a little bit of time for you to break it in and for the shoe to mold to your foot. So, I can see how that might be hard to get used to, but some sneakers are not comfortable either. So you just kind of have to get used to it.

JD: But there are also mule-sneaker hybrids. New Balance probably did it the best. They have the 2002R model and the 990 version that looks super sleek. Even Junya Watanabe and Comme des Garçons have upcoming collaborations with New Balance. The Junya collab is more of a loafer, but Comme des Garçons has more of a slip-on coming as well.

NT: And not to keep plugging, but Lusso Cloud as a brand is great. Even they’re whole brand mantra is a ‘cloud.’ I would even try those first as a entry into mules.

2024
04/24
CATEGORY
BUSINESS
TAGS
Birkenstock
Birkenstock Bostons
Clarks
Clarks collaboration
clogposite
collabs
comeback
crocs
Crocs Dylan
godfather
green colorway
Instagram followers
keep
Louis Vuitton
most
mule
mule experts
muleboyz
mules
nike
Nike Shox
Nordstrom
status
surprising
talk
Ugg
3 comments

FN and Two Ten Unveil Details for Women Who Rock ‘Power of Mentoring’ Event on June 5

Women Who Rock, FN, Two Ten, June 5, event
From left: Sharifa Murdock; Marcia Kilgore; Tamara Mellon; Marina Larroudé
COURTESY OF COMPANIES

Cultivating the next generation of female footwear leaders has never been more critical — and Women Who Rock 2024 will shine a spotlight on the power of mentoring.

On June 5, FN and Two Ten will once again partner for Women Who Rock — which takes place during market week in New York — for an evening of networking, cocktails and content. For more information and to buy tickets, click here.

This year’s speakers will take the stage to talk about finding and becoming a great mentor, valuable leadership lessons and the road ahead for women in leadership. (More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.)

Our influential lineup includes: Marcia Kilgore, founder of FitFlop; Marina Larroudé, co-founder and chief creative officer of Larroudé; Tamara Mellon, founder of her namesake brand and co-founder of Jimmy Choo; and Sharifa Murdock, chief impact officer at Kith.

Kilgore has founded a number of game-changing global companies in the worlds of beauty and wellness, including FitFlop, Bliss, Soap & Glory and Soaper Duper. In 2016, she launched Beauty Pie, a concept aimed at democratizing the beauty industry and disrupting its outdated business model.

Larroudé is the force behind one of the footwear industry’s fastest-growing emerging brands, which she started with her husband Ricardo Larroudé during the pandemic. During a difficult climate for new labels, the former Barneys fashion director has defied the odds with her mix of trend-right product at accessible prices, attention-grabbing collaborations and social media prowess.

Mellon’s shoe story began when she co-founded Jimmy Choo at the age of 27 and helped turn the brand into a household name. In 2013, two years after exiting the British label, the designer went out on her own, founding her eponymous label with a unique vision. Now Mellon’s growing the business and expanding into wholesale via a partnership with Titan Industries. Last week, she opened a pop-up in Beverly Hills, Calif.

At Kith, Murdock spearheads the brand’s diversity and social impact initiatives and oversees The Kinnect Foundation, the company’s in-house non-profit. Prior to her role at the influential retailer, Murdock worked her way through the trade show circuit, co-founding Liberty and Project alongside her mentor Sam Ben-Avraham.

For more information and to buy tickets, go here or email Trish Reidy at [email protected] For sponsorship inquiries, email Hillari Lazzara at [email protected].

Women Who Rock is being supported by Rack Room Shoes.

As part of our event partnership, FN will make a donation to support Two Ten’s work to advance women in the industry and promote a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industry.

2024
04/24
CATEGORY
BUSINESS
TAGS
COURTESY OF COMPANIES
MARCIA KILGORE
MARINA LARROUDE
SHARIFA MURDOCK
TAMARA MELLON
3 comments

Footwear News

reporting on the latest in shoes industry , Sneaker & Boots trends, fashion news and celebrity style.Footwear-News.com
RSS FEED

Categories

  • BOOTS
  • BUSINESS
  • FASHION
  • SANDALS
  • SHOES

Archives

  • February 2025
  • October 2024
  • August 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • November 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023

Recent Posts

  • P448 Promotes Lori Sigismondo to Brand President
  • Shoe Price Increases Accelerated in January — And With Trump’s Tariffs, The Hikes Might Just Be Beginning
  • Steve Madden Snaps Up Kurt Geiger for $360 Million
  • 7 Best Compression Socks of 2024
  • Crocs On The Clock Work Slip-On Clogs

Recent Comments

    April 2024
    M T W T F S S
    1234567
    891011121314
    15161718192021
    22232425262728
    2930  
    « Nov   May »

    Tags

    Adidas back best black boots clogs crocs day dress earnings fashion finds first Foot Locker footwear Footwear News how keep low men new nike opens origin plans prices pumps range red release released sandals school season shoe shoes size sneaker sneakers style summer Under Armour up what women
    • Copyright ©  2023-2025 Footwear News | Shoes and Boots News | Fashion Trends – Footwear-News.com

      hey dude | clarks outlet | on running | jared jewelry | Allen Edmonds Shoes | sam edelman shoes | Tory Burch Outlet | irish setter boots | danner boots | Running Shoes | olukai shoes | mountain bikes | oofos shoes | brooks shoes | indestructible shoes | saLomon boots | lucchese boots | on cloud shoes | coach outlet | sperry shoes | keen shoes | asics shoes | dickies pants | on cloud sneakers | Munro Shoes | moon boots | fjallraven kanken | vans outlet | thursday boots | Bogg Bags | brahmin handbags | converse shoes | on cloud shoes | Blowfish Shoes | Venus Clothing | thorogood boots | Venus Swimwear | Red Wing Boots | birdies shoes | keds shoes | kizik shoes | teva sandals | bzees shoes | born shoes | steve madden | allbirds shoes | guess canada | Sorel Boots | reef sandals | boc shoes | coach outlet online | Clarks Shoes Canada | boots online shopping | boots online shopping | dooney and bourke | dickies pants | Lifestride Shoes | PF Flyers Shoes | reebok sneakers | consuela bags | rick owens shoes | wrangler jeans | caterpillar shoes | Off White Shoes | Bali Bras | Vamos Schuhe Damen | Bombas Socks | Compression Socks | bzees shoes | born shoes | bionica shoes | on schuhe damen | marc jacobs handbags | rieker boots | bates boots | tory burch outlet | Clarks Shoes Canada | Chico's Clothing | hoka shoes | kelly and katie | brahmin handbags | brahmin outlet | Gabor Schuhe | frye boots | vasque boots | mint velvet uk | mango outlet | sorel boots | cody james boots |