Can Specialty Run Handle More Competition? Is the ‘Super Shoe’ Here to Stay? + More Burning Questions for the Running Market

The running market continues to be the hot spot in athletic footwear, and everyone wants a piece of it. For instance, Nike, which had been prioritizing its direct-to-consumer channels, renewed its partnerships with non-athletic retailers Macy’s and DSW earlier this year. And Hoka — FN’s Brand of the Year and a name that has been a star in the running market — has been welcomed by mainstream and fashion retailers in recent years. Overall, sales for adult road running shoes grew 6 percent by dollar amount from January through August, according to market insights firm Circana. That’s in part thanks to the higher price points on some of the category’s hot brands. To that end, DSW parent company Designer Brands Inc. has said it’s investing in growth for its Topo Athletic label, which it acquired last December. And REI Co-op announced last year that it was bolstering its commitment to the running category. Matt Powell, an advisor at Spurwink River, believes the increased competition from big-name retailers should worry the run specialty channel. “The formula they have is a great formula, but it’s not a formula that only they can own,” he said. “If another retailer says, ‘I’m going to make a commitment to talking

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