"Barefoot" Running Movement Could Pose Problems For Shoe Giants
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Sales Of Minimalist Shoes In $17B Sports
Footwear Market Are Small, But Growing |
Upstart companies are "challenging the running-shoe status quo with thin-sole designs," and the "move toward minimalism could have significant impact on not only running shoes but also on" the entire $17B sports shoe market, according to Amy Cortese of the N.Y. TIMES. Research suggests that running shoes "may not actually do much to improve a runner's performance or prevent injuries," and new companies such as Vibram, Feelmax and Terra Plana have created some new footwear "meant to combine the benefits of going barefoot with a layer of protection." But "shoe industry giants defend their products, saying they help athletes perform better and protect feet from stress and strain -- not to mention the modern world's concrete and broken glass." Sales of minimalist shoes, "while still tiny, are growing at a rapid clip." Terra Plana CEO Galahad Clark estimated that the company will sell 70,000 pairs of such shoes this year, "double last year's volume." Vibram indicated that sales of its FiveFingers shoes have "tripled every year since they were introduced" in '06 and the company anticipates revenue of $10M this year. Cortese reported the bigger shoe companies are "clearly paying attention to the trend" and could end up "profiting from the movement -- or they could have trouble getting on board." Nike in '05 was first to market with the Nike Free, a "flexible shoe for 'barefootlike running' with less padding than the company's typical offerings." Nike Senior Manager of Media Relations Derek Kent said that sales of the shoe are "growing at double-digit rates, with sales in Japan and China especially strong." He added, "The key is to offer a range of options, because every runner has different needs." Asics Research Consultant Simon Bartold, while "critical of the barefoot push," said, "We will definitely go to a more minimal style" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/30).
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