Footwear Insight

THE FOOTWEAR EYE serve specific market segments and price points. With this 'complete look' approach in featuring multiple product categories merchandised alongside each other, we're confident that this move will better support our buyers in how they truly want to shop, while also better supporting our brands in reaching a larger segment of retailers." Rudow explains that footwear will be "cohesively merchandised in both MAGIC Las Vegas — where you can find our trend driven and young con- temporary categories at price points ranging from value to mass market, as well as within PROJECT Las Vegas — which is where you can find men's and women's contemporary categories with price points ranging from mid-market to premium. Footwear at SOURCING will also be available at SOURCING at MAGIC, servicing the footwear sourcing and supply chain." A little over a month after the announcement for the return of the Las Vegas events, Rudow says the shows are "overpacing in both participating brands who have signed on as well as with registration." Some footwear brands that retailers can expect to see at the August events include A.S. 98, Blowfish Malibu, Floafers, J/Slides, Kenneth Cole, Matisse Footwear, Miz Mooz, and Yellow Box. On the retail side, Rudow says that buyers have registered from stores such as Aldo's, American Rag, Boot Barn, DTLR, Rue 21, Free People, Coppel, Dillard's, Foot Solutions, Halls, Hibbett Sports, Shiekh Shoes, Von Maur, Walking Co and Zappos. Outdoor Retailer August 10-12, Denver O riginally scheduled for June, Outdoor Retailer's summer show is now set for August 10-12. The date change was made in order to facilitate an in-person event — and OR's guidelines indicate that the show will take safety precautions such as requiring masks and temperature checks and making hugs and handshakes a no-no. Marisa Nicholson, SVP and show director for Outdoor Retailer answered some questions in a recent Instagram live session, saying that show management has learned lessons from other shows owned by OR parent Emerald Holdings that have already returned as in-person events. She acknowledged that industry brands and retailers are in different stages of "reopening and recovering" and said that will impact the type of presence businesses have at the show. Some brands may have product for an immediate sell, others may have more of a marketing presence, while others may have a more traditional product showcase. The show has plans for educational seminars as usual at the show, and Nicholson said that the show's Venture Out section will return, with "a lot of brands" coming in for that. The Atlanta Shoe Market August 14-16, Atlanta H aving already held a successful in-person event back in February, The Atlanta Shoe Market is seeing even more interest in its show this summer, says the show's executive director Laura Conwell-O'Brien. As of early May, Atlanta's August show was already at 98 percent of registered brands and retailers compared to the February 2020 show. "Most companies have lifted travel bans so everyone is excited to be back to an in-person show," she said. "I am already seeing an increase in new brand registration as well as a great response from West Coast and East Coast retailers who have never attended. They know they can attend The Atlanta Show and see more brands than any other show in the U.S. and all under one roof." Attendees in Atlanta should expect to still see the socially distanced floor plans as well as all safety protocols that are set forth by the CDC and the state. As for other events at the show, NSRA will be sponsoring a Retail Seminar on Sunday, August 15 and The Atlanta Shoe Market will be sponsoring a complimentary Cocktail Reception on Saturday, August 14. n 8 • Footwear Insight ~ June 2021 footwearinsight.com

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