Reebok's new Mobius Spring collection is the company's
"first foray into a concept collection that unites several
categories of footwear under a common aesthetic design,"
according to SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS. Reebok's Senior VP/Global
Footwear Peter Moore: "Our concern in the past has been that we
haven't shown up with strong collections that have given the
consumer an overall feeling of cohesiveness of the Reebok brand."
Each shoe in the collection is "linked to an athlete who will
compete in Mobius footwear." The Mobius hoop shoe, called the
"Shaqnosis," will be worn by Shaquille O'Neal. Others include
Rebecca Lobo and Frank Thomas. The collection, targeted at the
12-17 age group, will retail from $75-$100. Charlie Gore, Senior
Men's Footwear Buyer at Herman's: "Visually, it will be very
impactful. Whether or not that pulls it off the shelf I don't
know at this point" (SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS, 7/95).
GRANDMAMA IN SWEATS? Converse is expected to have its first
collection of licensed and non-licensed apparel in stores for the
holiday season. In addition to licensed merchandise for the NFL
and colleges, Converse is reportedly going to introduce a Larry
Johnson collection of apparel (SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS, 7/95).