Footwear Insight

12 • Footwear Insight ~ March/April 2024 footwearinsight.com By Bob McGee N avigating the specialty retail business is a challenge in and of itself for store owners. Issues such as how and where to sell the product, out-of-stocks, inflation, high freight costs, and competition from the Direct-To-Consumer businesses of key vendors test the mettle of specialty footwear retailers every day. But it hasn't deterred some of these retailers from branching out and extending the scope and reach of their overall business, including trying their own hand at being footwear brand owners and wholesalers. In fact, their experience as retailers is part of what makes their footwear brands unique. Footwear Insight reached out to three of these retailers to learn more about why they are getting into the brand business. ZIERA AND DJANGO & JULIETTE Oregon-based ERHCo Inc., the operator of retailers Shoe Mill and Burch's, is the U.S. distributor and wholesaler for the Ziera and Django & Juliette brands. Ziera blends traditional comfort with style, while Django & Juliette offers a modern twist on comfort. ERHCo is headed by Josh Habre, who answers our questions below. Why did you decide to get in the wholesale business? "It was by accident really. Ziera had been shipping everything from initial orders to single pair fill-ins from the southern hemisphere. We offered to be a 'third party warehouse' for them so that the shoes would be here in the states so everyone could get them faster. After six months, they approached us to distribute the brand fully — something we had zero experience in. We followed our grandparents' entrepreneurial spirit and decided to go for it. The idea was to offer shoes with incredible features, unique styling at the margins the retailer needs today." What was the biggest obstacle in getting the business off the ground? "Ensuring a good balance between interesting product and core product…then having the right amount of inventory in both. As a buyer for the past 25 years, I know how impossible that is." What is the most challenging aspect of distributing a brand and getting the word out to consumers? "Being patient! In my 30 years in this business, I have seen brands come and go. e ones with the staying power build slowly, doing it the right way. e ones that come on hot can fizzle just as quickly. So, we take the patient approach and let word of mouth successes lead to the next success." What is the most exciting aspect of launching a brand in addition to your retail business? "Hearing reports of success from retailers who gave us a shot. I love it when I go to a show and someone says, 'You weren't my biggest vendor, but you were one of my most profitable!' at is a great way to start a line presentation. It's a great feeling knowing we are helping fellow retailers make gross profit dollars. And then seeing our shoes on feet in my own community or in airports across the country — such a cool feeling." LANDED An adventure-ready sneaker brand, Landed was launched in 2023 by Bryce Anderson, owner of Utah-based retailer Walking RETAILERS TAKE ON THE BRAND BUSINESS WHY THESE RETAILERS ARE SELLING THEIR OWN FOOTWEAR BRANDS. Brands & Retail Australian brand Django & Juliette is distributed in the U.S. by retail operator ERHCo Inc.

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