Footwear Insight

TIMEOUT | JENNIFER ERNST BEAUDRY SPRING AWAKENING After a brutally cold and snowy winter, the weather in much (assuredly not all) of the country is starting to tend toward the spring-like and frankly, we feel like celebrating. It's one of the reasons I'm so excited for our cover shoot this issue, which puts the spotlight on over-the-top, more- is-more styles for boys and girls. Kids styles are having a maximalist moment in 2019, and as we shake off the winter doldrums, the mix of bright colors, all-glitter-everything and patterns and appliqués galore is just the energy I'm looking for. Check out page 24 for our favorite bold styles. And see our deeper look from contributing editor Suzanne Blecher on page 27 about what savvy kids brands are doing to add value for consumers in an always price-sensitive market. But it's not just us embracing that seasonal fresh start. Brands from every category, from sandals to sneakers to boots to dress, have embraced vegan-friendly products — and it's no surprise why. Shoppers have increas- ingly been asking for animal-free footwear that tells an ecologically nuanced story, and thanks to a crop of newer, greener components, brands are bringing them the styles they want with the features they require. Get the story on page 18. And don't miss our interview with new Altra brand president Todd Dalhausser on page 28. Ninety days into his tenure at the rapidly growing trail and run brand, Dalhausser walked us through his plans for expanding the brand's footprint while keeping true to the fit that consumers have embraced. And I've always thought a new season feels like a chance to start over whether it's spring cleaning à la Marie Kondo or just a good reason to try something new. In that vein, I'm really excited about our Crowdsource topic this issue: advertising. With more options than ever for connecting to consumers — and infinitely more noise to cut through — how can a brick-and-mortar independent best drive sales, connect with new customers and tell their story? It's a thorny question: if you're reading this and feeling a cold pit of dread in your stomach, you're not alone. But as we spoke to independents across channels about what they're doing and what's working, one message came through loud and clear. It's not always easy and it's certainly not simple, but today's marketing options offer so many new ways to forge deeper relationships with their existing customers and to wel- come new shoppers into the fold. (And yes, they're visible at the cash register.) See what they had to say on page 16. Here's to a new season — let's make it a colorful one. Editorial Director Cara Griffin Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Ernst Beaudry Senior Editor Bob McGee Contributors Nancy Ruhling Suzanne Blecher Publisher Jeff Nott jnott@formula4media.com 516-305-4711 Advertising Jeff Gruenhut jgruenhut@formula4media.com 404-849-4156 Katie O'Donohue kodonohue@formula4media.com 828-244-3043 Sam Selvaggio sselvaggio@formula4media.com 212-398-5021 Creative Director Francis Klaess Art Director Mary McGann Production / Digital Brandon Christie 516-305-4710 bchristie@formula4media.com Business Manager Marianna Rukhvarger 516-305-4709 mrukhvarger@formula4media.com Subscriptions store.formula4media.com PO Box 23-1318 Great Neck, NY 11023 Phone: 516-305-4710 Fax: 516-305-4712 www.formula4media.com Formula4Media Publications Sports Insight Sports Insight Extra Footwear Insight Footwear Insight Extra Outdoor Insight Team Insight Textile Insight Textile Insight Extra Trend Insight sportstyle Footwear Insight ® is a trademark of Formula4 Media, LLC, Great Neck, New York. ©2019 All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by authors and contributors to Footwear Insight are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers. Footwear Insight is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Articles appearing in Footwear Insight may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher. Footwear Insight is published bi-monthly: Jan/Feb; Mar/Apr; May/Jun; Jul/Aug; Sep/Oct; and Nov/Dec Subscriptions: One year, $24.00 (U.S. Funds in the United States. All other countries, $54.00 (U.S. Funds) for surface mail. Postmaster: Send address changes to Footwear Insight, P.O. Box 23-1318, Great Neck, NY 11023 FOOTWEARINSIGHT.COM 4 • Footwear Insight ~ March/April 2019

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