Footwear Week in Review

This Week's Top Footwear

Updates, Articles & Upcoming Events

Make Your Voice Heard!

The Administration plans to advance a number of measures to help stimulate the U.S. economy during the coronavirus outbreak. FDRA is advocating that the relief package should include tools to help footwear companies and retailers manage their operations during the crisis.

Click here to send your message to Congress

To help keep everyone educated while we work from home, we are launching new digital games with 1Huddle! This is a fun way to keep up and compete against others across the industry.

Each game has a set of questions around retail, sourcing, trade and other industry topics. You can play the games several times - and those at the top of the leaderboard will win gift cards! Let's see who the top shoe dog is!

To Start Playing:

FDRA Members can use their email address (the one this message was sent to) to log in via the website below.

You can also download the game through 1Huddle via the App Store or Google Play. Password is gametime .

Play Online

FDRA's 2019 Footwear Industry Leaders of the Year

Despite unprecedented times, the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) would like to recognize those companies and individuals who made a lasting and dramatic impact on our industry in 2019 through increased sales, enhanced e-commerce engagement, effective advocacy and dynamic discussions. Click the link to view our winners.

As Congress Debates the Next Coronavirus Stimulus, This is What's on the Shoe Industry's Wish List

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., may be undecided about the best next steps to prop up a U.S. economy in free fall due to the coronavirus, but the footwear industry has its own wish list to aid struggling brands and retailers.

The federal government's $2.2 trillion CARES Act, passed in late March, included numerous components meant to protect American jobs and inject money into the economy.

Nike Names Ann Hebert VP, GM of North America Geography

Nike Inc. announced senior leadership changes to continue accelerating growth in its flagship market. Effective June 1, Nike veteran Ann Hebert, vice president of global sales, will become vice president, general manager of North America Geography, succeeding long-time executive Tom Peddie who is retiring from Nike.

DSW to Open In-Store Shops Inside Hy-Vee Locations

Designer Brands Inc. in a new partnership plans to roll out several DSW shop-in-shops in Hy-Vee stores over time. The partnership will launch initially with an online experience, offering customers DSW's digital experience via Hy-Vee.com.

VF Corp.'s Dickies Brand to Make 3.4 Million Isolation Gowns for Health Care Workers

Dickies, in partnership with its parent company, VF Corp., announced that it is further supporting the fight against COVID-19 in the U.S. by manufacturing FDA-compliant isolation gowns for hospitals and healthcare workers. These high-demand personal protective equipment (PPE) garments will be distributed to communities throughout the U.S. in cooperation with federal and state government leaders.

Adidas Cleared for 3 Billion Euros in Rescue Loans

Sports apparel and shoe company Adidas says it has been approved by the German government for a 3 billion-euro ($3.3 billion) emergency loan to help the company get through a period of lost business due to the virus outbreak.

Under Armour Names Lisa Collier as Chief Product Officer

Under Armour Inc. announced the appointment of Lisa Collier as chief product officer. With more than 30 years across global brand leadership, product development, supply chain and merchandising, Collier will provide multi-disciplined specialty retail expertise to Under Armour's leadership team. She will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Patrik Frisk and is expected to start on April 27.

Brand Finance Report Sees Significant COVID-19 Impact on Apparel Sector

Nike retained its title as the world's most valuable apparel brand, brand value up 7 percent, according to the Brand Finance Global 500 2020. However, the report found the apparel sector will be among the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Brand Finance Global 500 2020 finds the brand value...

Shoe Sustainability Webinar Saturday

How to make a shift towards business and design systems that are enabling biodegradation and composting, is one of the main subjects that will be discussed in this course. This course features 3 guests that are truly reinventing the future of footwear through biotechnology. Click the link to learn more.

Pou Chen Corp to Suspend Vietnam Operations for Two Days

Pou Chen Corp., the world's largest maker of athletic shoes, has been ordered to suspend production at its Pouyuen Vietnam business over COVID-19 concerns, Vietnamese state media reported. Pouyuen Vietnam was ordered to suspend production for two days from Tuesday after failing to meet local rules on social distancing, according to the Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Superfeet Worldwide Offers Drop-Shipping and Robust Affiliate Programs

Superfeet has lived by this truth: "People first - together we are more than a company, we are a community," which is why the employee-owned business is rolling out two new programs to help support their specialty retail partners during this challenging time.