Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1197762
New year, new us? Yeah, you could say so. In celebration of what's not just a new year but a new decade, we're incredibly excited to kick off 2020 with a new twist to our publication. This is the first issue of Footwear Insight|Sports Edition, our new 4-times-a-year version of Footwear Insight that immerses itself in the active, outdoor and athletic worlds. There's no question that the athletic and outdoor market has steadily grown in influence and importance to the footwear channel. And in a market rife with challenges and uncertainty — as well as, yes, big opportunity — the brands and retailers in this space have been leading the way with innovation, asking the tough questions, and working to bring new customers to the table. (There's a reason it's a favorite of ours.) In each issue of Footwear Insight|Sports Edition we'll be bringing in some new features, including: • Photo shoots featuring the coolest shoes and boots around, but also the freshest apparel and gear • The industry stats that matter • More executive and brand insights • Even more retail strategies from the smartest shops To kick it off, we couldn't think of a better market than trail. Whether it's an afternoon spent with friends and family in nature or making the woods a destination on a long run, more and more consumers are making trail time an integral part of how they want to live. We rounded up the boots and shoes that make getting outside a seamless (and stylish) part of the day. And as 2020 dawns, the Olympics, the election, tariffs, climate change and retail realignment mean there's not a single front where retailers and brands aren't watching closely. We asked some of the savviest CEOs, brand heads and market watchers we know to share what they're thinking about and what they're doing in the year to come. (You can see the results on page 6.) But is it really a case of being entirely new? You could just as easily say no. The founding mission in our four new issues is the same as it is in our original six: To serve the independent footwear retailers that make up the backbone of the specialty market, and to do it with the information and insight you need, when you need it. We want you to find the same thoughtful analysis and window into consumer behaviors here that we think make Footwear Insight (regular edition) what it is. And we'd love to hear what you think — as always, you can find me at jbeaudry@formula4media.com. Happy New Year to all of you, and here's to a great 2020, In with the New TIME OUT | JENNIFER ERNST BEAUDRY 4 • Footwear Insight ~ January 2020 footwearinsight.com