Footwear Insight

retailers to be able to make their margins and make money on our products so that they can sell more, and in turn we can sell more. It all works hand in hand." ARCOPEDICO "e biggest benefit Simco Imported Shoes offers to independent retailers is our ability to be flexible," says Sydney Simas, VP, Sales & Marketing, Simco Imported Shoes. "As a smaller company, we are in a position to work with retailers and really address their needs. Whether this is changing ship dates, adjusting orders, or swapping styles, we do everything in our power to ensure both us and the retailer have a mutually beneficial relationship. Our philosophy is that relationships come first, and we truly believe the success of the brand and our customers starts with our relationships." Product Highlight: For Spring 2023, Arcopedico has a focus on a sustainable future. "Many of our styles feature recycled materials and most are vegan," notes Simas. "Arcopedico's commitment to the environment and eco-friendly footwear will be an ongoing theme as we develop new styles." Strategic Insight: "Perhaps the single biggest thing we've done to combat supply chain issues is shiing our timeline," says Simas. "Now, instead of six weeks for our container to arrive from Portugal, we are seeing it take upwards of four months, sometimes more. e fact is, we have to place orders with our factories sooner, and allow for longer production times and shipping schedules. We are also projecting further into the future and taking a bit of a risk on what will sell just so we have inventory in our warehouse. Inventory management is a bit of a guess at this point, but we know we don't want to run out of stock. is is where partnerships come into play. We are asking retailers to work with us by placing pre-season orders sooner. It helps with projections and is the only way to guarantee inventory for the retailer." OS1st "Supporting independent retailers is the foundational pillar of our brand identity right next to the quality of our products and the technology we use to make them stand out; it is our brand strategy," says Josh Higgins, president, OS1st. Product Highlight: "Having OS1st Socks with Purpose on the wall gives retailers the opportunity to recommend a sock that's specific to the reason each customer walked through the door that day, and compliments the shoe and support being fitted," says Higgins. "ere is a difference between recommending a comfortable sock and recommending a comfortable sock that was designed specifically for Plantar Fasciitis, bunions, diabetes, wide feet etcetera. at level of customization re- enforces the memorable, in-store experience retailers provide, and it's what differentiates independent retail from any other sales channel. By empowering that as a brand, that's what makes OS1st continue to grow." Strategic Insight: Expanding on the fact that supporting independent retail is a foundational pillar of OS1st's brand identity, along with quality product and technology, Higgins notes, "You can see that in our mission statement 'to use science-driven compression to improve lives by relieving pain, empowering active lifestyles, and supporting small businesses who do the same.' Most importantly, you can see it in action when our independent sales reps visit our independent retailers and take the time to understand their unique needs and create a program that uplis their entire business, not just OS1st." When it comes to navigating the current business pressures on the industry, Higgins says, "We've made every decision with our independent retailers in mind. at's the benefit of our dedication being woven into the fabric of our organization – at every level, in every department we are clear on where the priority is. It's natural for us to confront challenges with win-win solutions for our brand and retailers because that is a part of our core identity." ARA "Right now, our strength lies in the completeness of our collection," says Sam Spears, president, Ara USA. "We are truly a full lifestyle brand with high-margin product winners across every category." Product Highlight: "We literally have a shoe for every aspect of a woman's day and night," says Spears. "For everything that is in her closet we have her shoe, boot, bootie, sneaker, sandal, and a full range of Gore-Tex offerings. And we are introducing a whole new group of exciting 44 • Footwear Insight ~ September/October 2022 footwearinsight.com OS1st Wide Wellness Socks Arcopedico Cibele POWER IN PARTNERSHIP

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