Footwear Insight

January / February 2019

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footwearinsight.com January / February 2019 ~ Footwear Insight • 49 The Back Story: Based in Janesville, WI. Private and family-owned since founding in 1955. The chain prides itself on the trust it has earned with Midwest families "since they understand that their customers deserve to be treated honestly and fairly." CEO: Jane Blain Gilbertson since 2014. She has worked for 30 years at Blain's and is the daughter of co-founder Bert Blain. Stores: The regional chain has 40 stores across four states— WI, IL, IA and MI. Most are around 100,000-square feet. Opened first Michigan store, 128,000-square feet, in a former Kmart in Jackson, MI. Fourth and fifth Michigan stores to open in 2019 in Holland and Traverse City. Key Footwear Brands: Ariat, Columbia, Keen, Kamik, Muck Boot, Harley Davidson, Skechers, Timberland, Eastland, Muck Luks, Carhartt, Lugz, Puma, New Balance, Asics, Reebok. Merchandise Categories Beyond Apparel and Footwear: Hardware, paint and supply, automotive, sporting goods, pet supplies, lawn and garden. Uniqueness: The company makes giving back to the community a priority with charitable contributions to scholarships in its founders' names, 4H sponsorships, Kids Helping Kids and the American Heart Association. l The Back Story: Based in Brentwood, TN, the chain is the largest operator of rural lifestyle and retail stores in the U.S. Founded in 1938 as a mail order tractor parts business. Became a public company on NASDAQ (TSCO) in 1994. CEO: Gregory Sandford has been working in a variety of capacities for the 1748-door (Tractor Supply Co. and Del's Feed & Farm Supply) retailer, which also owns the 168-location Petsense chain, since 2007. Stores: Locations average 15,000-20,000-square feet. Merch mix ranges from wood stoves, chain saws, gun safes and dog food to apparel and footwear. TSC does not sell tractors. The chain's biggest presence is in Texas followed by North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ohio. Key Brands: Soft goods department features denim, rancher shirts and outerwear, acces- sories and footwear from brands such as Ariat, Wolverine, Realtree, Muck Boot Co., Columbia, and Browning. Carhartt dominates apparel and accessories. The chain's own C.E. Schmidt brand is also part of the footwear and apparel assort- ment. Soft goods account for eight percent of annual revenue. Uniqueness: Aiming to reach 10 million loyalty club members and "Stockyard kiosks" in one-third of its doors by the end of FY18. l Blain's Farm & Fleet Tractor Supply Co. The Back Story: Privately held, regional operator in the Northeast and Midwest that serves the outdoor work and healthcare professionals with both apparel and footwear with approximately 40 locations and e-commerce. CEO: Tony DiPaolo, 60, is a shoe industry vet- eran. The one-time Shoe Visions exec acquired Herman Survivors from Stride Rite Corp. in 1990 and sold the brand 11 years later to Walmart. He purchased Work 'n Gear from bankrupt Casual Male in 2002 after raising $40 million in capital. Stores: Largely in strip centers, doors average less than 5000-square feet and are divided almost evenly between outdoor work and healthcare wear. According to sources, the chain is re-evaluating brick-and-mortar locations in certain markets, which could mean some door closures in 2019. Footwear Brands: Sells approximately 17 work footwear brands, ranging from 5.11 Tactical and BOGS to Timberland, Carolina, Skechers, Bates, Keen, Helly Hansen, Danner and Magnum. Assortment is largely focused on steel toe product. Uniqueness: Generates an estimated 20 percent of topline from online sales. Is reportedly beefing up digital marketing in 2019 after eliminating all paper advertising in 2017. Is expected to launch a YouTube marketing campaign this year to better connect emotionally with its customer base. l Work 'n Gear Beefing up digital marketing in 2019. The company makes giving back to the community a priority. The largest operator of rural lifestyle and retail stores in the U.S.

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