Douglas Sheridan’s Post

According to new data from Circana’s consumer tracking service, running shoes — one of the hottest categories in the U.S. footwear market in 2024 — is a $7.1 billion business, with the women’s segment growing even faster than men’s and has almost caught up to its size in the past 12 months. Running shoe sales have grown by $1.3 billion in the past three years, Circana noted, with running footwear dollar sales increasing by 12 percent in the 12 months ending April 2024. As for how consumers are wearing these shoes, it varies. Circana added that it found that 43 percent of consumers bought running shoes for sport and exercise, while over half of the dollars spent are attributed to non-athletic uses, including casual or everyday use (33 percent) and work (7 percent). “While performance is paramount in running footwear, the innovation in the category is also attracting casual wearers that are looking for everyday comfort,” Beth Goldstein, footwear industry analyst at Circana, said in a statement. “The visible functional elements have become fashion for both runners and non-runners alike, commanding premium price points." ”https://lnkd.in/eFdHvGbi

Global Running Day is here, and the annual celebration of the sport has arrived at a time when the running shoe market is alive and well. According to new data from Circana’s consumer tracking service, running shoes — one of the hottest categories in the U.S. footwear market in 2024 — is a $7.1 billion business, with the women’s segment growing even faster than men’s and has almost caught up to its size in the past 12 months. This new data comes as product innovation are top of mind for many performance footwear brands, with several releasing new shoes before or on Global Running Day. 

Brooks Running finished 2023 with record revenue of $1.2 billion, up 5 percent year-over-year (YoY), and a record 20 million-plus units sold. Despite the mid-single-digit gain for the year, Brooks reported its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeded 14 percent since 2018. In North America, revenue reportedly increased 7 percent YoY, reaching $1 billion in the region for the first time. Brooks said it executed its multi-channel business strategy as it right-sized inventory, invested in key markets and delivered performance products across regions to drive the brand’s success in 2023. Brooks said it has maintained the #1 spot in the adult performance running footwear market at U.S. retail from quarter to quarter in 2023, with 21 percent market share for the year when measuring U.S. dollar sales, according to data from Circana. The company said the Brooks Ghost and the Adrenaline GTS shoes also remained the top two adult performance running styles at U.S. retail, commanding more than 12 percent share combined in 2023, based on the Circana data. Additionally, according to its yearly global trend report, the Brooks Ghost was said to be among the top running styles on the fitness tracking app Strava. SGB Media Jim Weber Dan Sheridan #running #runningshoes #performance

Have you thought about whether or not it's time for a new pair of running shoes? It is important to update your current pair regularly in order to prevent foot and ankle pain. This is what you will need to consider: Shoe Milage Generally you should get about 500-800km out of your footwear. However, other factors may influence your mileage including, the type of surface you are exercising on, body weight and running biomechanics. Wear of Tread Once a running shoe has become quite worn, you will be aware of some slipping. This will be due to a loss of grip on the bottom of the shoe. If you look underneath the shoe and feel it is smooth in certain parts, it is time for a new pair. Midsole Compression Over a period of time and repetitive force and pressure through our shoes, they will become compressed and flatten. As a result they will not provide enough support and cushioning, putting you at risk of aches and pains. Blisters and Callus When our shoes become more worn, we may begin to feel a blister forming on our feet. This is due to wear and tear causing the shoe to become ill-fitting making them uncomfortable. Foot Pain We may feel new pains in our feet and ankles when our footwear become more worn. This is when we know it is time to change our footwear. #sportsfit #sportsfitphysioandhealth #physiotherapy #footwear #running #walking #healthylifestyle

Footwear Study Reveals Data Proving the BOA Performfit Wrap Improves Runner Speed, Stability, Efficiency on Trail Terrain - https://lnkd.in/gVBFTtGT #trailrunning #shoes #BOAfitsystem

It's just running shoes. But that doesn't mean they aren't important. Running shoes probably won't change the world. We can survive if we don't have the fastest shoes and the latest tech. But running shoes are special. Running shoes are the first "athletic" equipment that a kid gets. Running shoes enable a freedom of movement, and allow us to understand what our body is capable of. Running shoes protect us from the ground and ground us to the Earth. Running shoes can inspire and motivate us for competition. Ask any runner and they will tell you that there's no feeling like unboxing a new pair of shoes and going for a run. No matter the shoe, you can race faster with new shoes. Running shoes can transcend. Running shoes have the capability to connect culturally beyond sport. Running shoes can be both personal and social. What group we belong to, aspirational goals, style, and self-expression are just as important in running shoes as the foam, rubber and fabric. I'm not a sneakerhead and I don't care about hype. I love designing running shoes because everyone loves running shoes. All ages, all genders, all athletic abilities....everyone wants to know more and has an opinion about running shoes when I tell them I'm a footwear designer. Running shoes are important. I'm the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design studio. We make great footwear, not just sketches of footwear. Mostly running shoes. https://lnkd.in/gDKyWDbD #runningshoes #footweardesign #footweardesigner

Winter brings with it the beauty of snow-covered landscapes and the joy of outdoor activities. However, navigating through the snow requires the right footwear to ensure comfort, warmth, and safety. While cowboy boots are synonymous with Western fashion, the question arises: Are cowboy boots good for snow? #arecowboybootswaterproof #cancowboybootsgetwet #cowboybootsinthewinter #cowboysnowboots #shortdresswithcowboyboots #westernwinterboots #wintercowboyboots #winterdresseswithboots #winterequestrianboots #winterequestrianridingboots

Get set, go! 🏃🏃♀️ The running shoe market is racing to new heights as innovation attracts both performance-driven consumers and comfort seekers. 👟 Running shoe sales grew by $1.3 billion in the last three years. 💸 Running shoes is a $7.1 billion business, with the women’s segment growing even faster than men’s and nearly matching its size in the past year. 💨 43% of consumers purchase running shoes for sport and exercise, but over half of the dollars spent are attributed to non-athletic uses, including casual or everyday use (33%) and work (7%). https://lnkd.in/daHQthM8 #GlobalRunningDay #Footwear #FootwearTrends

Great insights and super smart business moves for any company thinking about leaning into the running market. TL;DR: "REI's run business has consistently grown double digits, and it is growing “significantly faster” than total REI." More interestingly: "[...R]oad running footwear now accounts for roughly 60 percent of [REI's] running sales, with trail running accounting for the remaining 40 percent." That's an interesting flip from pre-pandemic data for this outdoor giant, and reiterates amazing growth in the running industry. Lululemon knows this, too, as they've also invested heavily in running (have you *seen* the #further campaign? #amazing).

Private label footwear is an interesting discussion. I was surprised to hear REI getting out of making their own footwear. It looked good and I think offered a well-branded, unique approach offering some good value and performance (Vibram outsoles, etc.). There seemed to be an authentic story and reason to exist. Often private label is synonymous with cheap. Footwear in particular can be hard to execute well when it's at a very competitive price point, often with a large SKU offering and has the realities of tooling costs and technical development. Most commonly private label footwear is pawned off to a trading company to stick a logo on "knock-off" designs with open tooling produced at a questionable quality and performance standard. But I think private labels can compete. My first experience in footwear was with Power Footwear, possibly the largest global private label - a "house brand" of Bata Group. It showed me it is possible to craft real performance with value in mind and we did so with design as a strength. Original tooling, original technology, original design. Decathlon is also doing it really well. Some of the latest KIPRUN products I think can go head to head with Nike, Adidas, etc. Amazing design and cutting edge performance and sponsored top athletes. They have turned in-house resources and brands into a showcase for products that bring consumers into the stores. The whole point of private label in the first place. What do you think? Can private label footwear exist in today's retail landscape where a brand is more than product and needs to be supported by marketing, social, and the full experience? Do consumers want private labels? Do they know/care they aren't "real" brands? --- I’m the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design consultancy. We make great footwear, not just great sketches. #design #footwear #footweardesign