Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1295488
I n Spring 2021, Salomon will launch the Index.01, the brand's first recyclable performance running shoe. Designed to be disassembled and recycled, the shoe was developed with the goal of reducing material waste and lessening the environmental impact of footwear by using circular life cycle principles. Salomon President Michael White says the performance traits of the shoe are also important. "Designing a recyclable running shoe that meets the level of performance people expect from Salomon is something we are proud of," he says. "It will be exciting to see what we learn from this process and how it shapes future innovation." The Index.01 performance running shoe uses a recycled polyester upper and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) bottom unit, which are recycled separately at the end of the shoe's life. To recycle the Index.01, owners would visit www.salomon.com, print a shipping label and send the shoes to the closest collection center free-of-charge. The collection centers will be located across Europe, North America and Asia/Pacific, where they will receive the shoes, wash and dissemble them and then ship the parts to local recycling partners. Salomon is also taking measures in its packaging to reduce waste by eliminating extra hangtags and stuffing paper in Index.01 boxes. — Cara Griffin W ith its Q1 results exceeding Wall Street expectations, Nike execs are stressing that digital is the new normal for the brand. "As we drive continued separation in the market, through a connected, seamless and modern consumer experience, we will fuel growth and profitability," Nike CFO Matt Friend said. Nike's digital business grew 83 percent in Q1 to represent more than 30 percent of the company's topline as it trimmed its strategic wholesale partner base by nine retailers and shifted product allocations to fuel higher digital demand. In Q1, consumer demand on the Nike app in North America increased 150 percent and the market's digital sales increased nearly 100 percent. — Bob McGee ECO INNOVATION STRATEGY THE FOOTWEAR EYE 6 • Footwear Insight ~ July/August 2020 footwearinsight.com A Closer Look: Salomon's Recyclable Running Shoe Nike Continues to Lean on Digital, Data and Tech Salomon's Index.01 launches this spring. Nike launched a Spanish language option on its app in the U.S.