Shoe-in

This week we are sharing all the ways FDRA is serving the industry. Checking out our site is always a great place to start, but on this episode we have a conversation about what we are doing regarding sustainability, diversity, supply chain and customs issues, and more!

COVID threw many people into the digital stream, but there are new tools being added to help brands adapt not only their 3D design and development, but how they use new dynamic digital tools to sell shoes to customers. Romans CAD has helped shoe companies digitize for decades and Jean-Marc Pedeboy joins us to talk about what companies are doing well, and the new tools they are launching to help optimize shoe orders that update everything automatically in the backend. A total workflow solution!

Leadership Series: Faryl Morse, Founder and CEO of Farylrobin Footwear joins the Shoe-In Show for the first time! Faryl shares her journey from working footwear retail as a teenager to owning her own brand. On this episode, we also discuss the importance of company culture during this time, women supporting each other in business and changes in consumer decision-making going forward.

There are a ton of individuals and groups who want to understand how to start a shoe brand and be successful. On this episode, we have on Susannah Davda, aka The Shoe Consultant, who shares with us some of what she offers as a consultant for both start-ups and established brands. We talk about common mistakes, manufacturing, the first steps to starting a brand, marketing and more.

Our leadership series continues with Jad Finck, the Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Allbirds, the fast growing California-based lifestyle brand and Climate Neutral B Corp, well-known for their merino Wool Runners and other ultra-comfy, nature-based footwear and apparel. As Matt Priest puts it, "Allbirds has become the darling of the industry, from an innovation perspective, a sustainability perspective, and a storytelling perspective." As one of the first employees at Allbirds, Jad led the development of the company’s major material innovations including their eucalyptus fiber Tree fabric and SweetFoam™, a TIME Magazine Best Invention of the Year featuring the world’s first carbon capturing, sugarcane-based EVA. Join us as Jad gives the Shoe-in Show an inside look at the stories behind these sustainable creations and takes us through Allbirds’ pioneering work on publishing and reducing the carbon footprints of all their products in their mission to “reverse climate change through better business.”

Dr. David Priest rejoins Shoe-In Show to provide key critical updates on the spread of COVID, vaccine distribution and critical thoughts around corporate travel, communications, and expectations for 2021. He also answers a slew of questions on the minds of our industry during these uncertain times. A must listen!

The Shoe-In Show Leadership Series continues as Diane Sullivan, Chairman & CEO of Caleres, stops by to share her shoe story taking her from chocolate to footwear. You'll also hear Diane's 2021 industry outlook and the key takeaways she has learned throughout the pandemic. Join this fascinating discussion around e-commerce, assortment, inventory management, customer engagement, and more!

This week we continue our leadership series with Tom Nastos, Chief Commercial Officer of Informa Markets, the fashion industry’s premier trade show organizer. Tom is an industry vet and on this episode he shares stories of working with some of the top fashion brands, trend discovery during this time, and what to expect for trade shows in 2021.

Our 2021 leadership series continues with the this fun dynamic conversation with Andy Gilbert, President of Licensed Brands at Genesco. Andy provides his view of how 2021 may play out economically and how that will impact footwear sales. We also discuss how retailers and brands will continue to adjust strategy from product to inventory to channel based on consumer demand shifts. We also get into key tips to successful leadership in a continued work from home environment!

Vans Global Brand President Doug Palladini stops by Shoe-In Show to discuss why culture is king and doing the right thing will always win the day. You will also hear interesting ways the company is using customization and AI to meet the needs of the brand's passionate consumer base. As a part of our continuing Shoe-In Show Footwear Leadership Series, we think this is one of our best conversations and episodes ever!

In the continuation of the Shoe-In Show Leadership Series, we welcome Columbia Sportswear's own Peter Bragdon to the program to explore his 2021 expectations for the outdoor industry and the company's active and creative political engagement.

From footwear factory in England to Chief Operating Officer at Under Armour, Colin Browne joins Shoe-In to share his 2021 outlook for the footwear industry and his very unique shoe story. As a part of our ongoing Footwear Industry Leadership Series we get Colin’s insight on the global footwear marketplace, inventory, productivity and more!

This is an important episode for all our businesses. We look at various issues impacting consumer spending and confidence in 2021 that will impact shoe sales. Gary Raines, FDRA's Chief Economist, is on the hot seat as we talk about trends and possible issues around disposable income, inflation, and other trends we see around Fed policy that will impact consumers and shoe companies!

Happy Holidays! Join us for a short holiday wrap episode as Andy, Matt and Jasmine reflect on the year and all the unexpected things that happened! The Shoe-In Show team also talk holiday shoes, traditions and gifts!

Tony Chiappetta from Chiappetta Shoes is back as he joins the Shoe-In Show team for a discussion on independent footwear retailing, COVID, agility and e-commerce. Jasmine gets Tony to unveil our most interesting pair of shoes yet in her world famous "Whatcha got? Whatcha gettin'?" segment.

Rack Room Shoes President & CEO Mark Lardie joins Matt, Andy and Jasmine as they explore the current state of footwear retail, expectations for 2021 and the success behind the shoes Mark and his team curate for suburban shoppers. Jasmine unveils a new technology that allows for people to scan QR codes off the bottoms of their shoes in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Team FDRA comes together to talk about the importance of the merger of FDRA and FFANY with John Heron, FDRA's Strategic Marketplace Advisor. How often should the industry gather for a trade show? What are the best dates? What should a virtual platform entail? Listen in to hear answers to these questions and more. Jasmine jumps in to discuss mask fashion in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment.

Team FDRA has a fun, enlightening, discussion about the recent election on this episode that covers new ideas you wont hear elsewhere! We go deep into how the election results will reshape policy and politics, what forces inside and outside government will change everyones political calculus and what to look for going forward that could impact your wallets and jobs!

Listen in as an esteemed panel of experts weigh in on 2020 forecasted holiday shoe sales in the midst of a pandemic and the explosion of e-commerce.

With all the discounting taking place at retail, companies are having to rewrite their playbook when it comes to trade, using new strategies to lower costs. KPMG's Nicole Porpiglia joins us to discuss what successful companies are doing today to lower duty costs and raise profits in these challenging times!