Footwear Insight - Business Report Quarterly

4 Footwear Insight Business Report Quarterly ~ Q4 January 6, 2025 Bob McGee, Editor footwearinsight.com LETTER FROM THE EDITOR TIME AFTER TIME T he incoming Trump Administration recently revived the decades-old debate about whether the U.S. should remain on daylight savings time (DST) year around or abolish it and remain on standard time for all 12 months. Clearly, there are pros and cons to both. But while examining those details, recently outlined by several business publications, I pondered which would be better for the athletic shoe and sporting goods industries. Clearly, it would be permanent daylight savings time given there would be longer daylight every evening including all winter months. at would encourage both more outdoor activities, including sports activities and other athletic endeavors. From an economic point-of-view, economists see DST all the time as stimulating the economy by encouraging shopping and more participation in evening events. But one also must consider the potential pitfalls of longer daylight throughout the year. Most notably, health experts suggest it would lead to sleep disorders for many individuals and associated risks such as depression and higher rates of heart disease due to a disruption in people's circadian rhythms. Additionally, a permanent DST calendar would result in darker mornings and potential safety risks for early commuters and schoolchildren. Data from a 2022 YouGov poll survey suggested nearly two- thirds of 1,000 polled Americans were in favor of ending time changes. Some 53 percent sided with making daylight savings permanent and 32 percent favored making standard time the year-around norm. Regardless of how citizens and President-elect Trump weigh in on the time matter in 2025, it's up to Congress to approve the elimination of the semi-annual practice of changing the time on your clocks. And historically, the politicians have failed to do so time aer time. Most recently in 2022 when the Senate unanimously passed a bill, but the House did not. So, how do you weigh in? Personally, I'm glad to report that 4:11pm sunsets ended in mid-December in my area near Cape Cod and that the first 5:00 pm sunset occurs on Groundhog Day. Now, if only Punxsutawney Phil could assure an early spring for me, say March 1? Q4

• Cover