Greg Dutter
Verified
Footwear Plus, the industry’s leading fashion trade magazine.
Articles by Greg Dutter
Bursting Bubbles
Diner is one of my favorite movies of all time. I revisit it every few years. It’s chockful of great actors, terrific characters, and memorable lines. There’s Mickey Rourke’s character, Boogie, saying, “If you don’t have good dreams…you got nightmares.” And Steve Guttenberg’s character, Eddie, announcing to the gang after his fiancée fails his grueling Baltimore Colts trivia test, “The wedding is off.” But my favorite is by Kevin Bacon’s character, Fenwick.
Lems Shoes Launches Road Running Collection
Lems Shoes, the Boulder-based brand known for natural, foot-shaped designs, is entering the road running category with the launch of ZenSpeed+ and ZenSpeed Lite. The collection features Lems first-to-market TrueFit last and Natural Running Platform to give runners a more natural, efficient ride. Built around the true shape of the foot, the last keeps the big toe properly aligned and allows all five toes to splay on impact, supporting better stability and power transfer.
Gap Between Hot Brands and Others Widening
The times, they are a changin’, so says L.E.K. Consulting’s 2026 Brand Heat Index. The fifth annual study, based on a survey of 6,000 U.S. consumers, reveals that the competition at the top is tighter than ever, while many mid‑tier brands are struggling to keep pace. Laura Brookhiser, managing director and the report’s lead author, attributes this divergence to an overall market of muted consumer confidence but a plethora of choices and access to brands.
Ladies Might - Footwear Plus Magazine
Tecovas is expanding its presence in the work boot category with the launch of its Long Haul Waterproof Round Composite Toe Work Boot, a women’s-specific design that blends performance-driven style with all-day comfort. Key features include a streamlined silhouette with an 8-inch shaft and 1.5-inch heel for stability; waterproof premium leather upper and durable Goodyear welt construction; and a MuckOFF rubber outsole for slip-resistance and traction.
Cold Temps, Hot Shoes
The Big Apple’s chill in the air was in step with the season being presented. Exhibitors showcased plenty of cold-weather boots, cozy shearling linings, and warm colors. Other trends of note included buckles, loafers, tassels, Mary Janes, rich suedes, hot chocolates, mules, animal prints, clogs, bows, slingbacks, kitten heels, slouch boots, burgundy, riding boots, moc toes, and mixed materials, to name a few. Here’s a smattering of highlights, in no particular order of importance.
All in the Family
Alegria made its the debut in 2008—smack dab in the middle of the Financial Crisis. That markets meltdown ushered in the Great Recession, the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. It was tough enough for established brands to stay afloat, let alone a clogs startup run by a small, family-owned company, Pepper Gate Footwear, based just outside of Los Angeles. Yet, over the ensuing 17 years, Alegria not only survived but thrived.
Building Businesses with Deep Impact
Dansko Founders Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup are embarking on another all-sides-benefit business model. By Greg Dutter, Footwear Plus magazine There are entrepreneurswho launch amazing businesses with great products, teams, marketing, logistics, and profit structures that can sustain a company for decades. Then there’s the dynamic duo of Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup, who go the extra mile by mixing in a “do the right thing” approach across product, people, and planet.
FROM FOOTWEAR PLUS: M PENNER
Retail runs in Murry Penner’s blood. The co-owner and CEO of M Penner comes from a line of Texas entrepreneurs. His mother’s family owned a group of East Texas stores named Hurwitz Man Shop, while his paternal grandfather and great-uncles started San Antonio shops, Penner’s, in 1916, and Todd’s in 1933. In 1974, Murry’s father, Morris Penner, opened M Penner, a luxury specialty store in Houston. Murry didn’t join the family business right away. His career began at Macy’s in New York.
Soles4Souls Mourns Loss of Long-term Executive
Soles4Souls is saddened to announce the death of Robert Adams-Ghee, the industry charity’s chief financial and administrative officer. He passed away on Mar. 5, following a sudden illness. “Robert was an incredible CFO for Soles4Souls,” states Soles4Souls President and CEO Buddy Teaster. “Not only did he bring the financial discipline we needed almost eight years ago, he led just as much with his heart. The work we do really mattered to him, in a personal and visceral way.
Designer Brands, JEMS by Pensole Launch Inaugural Shoe from Black-Owned Factory in U.S.
The first of many firsts… Designer Brands Inc. unveiled the inaugural shoe from the JEMS by Pensole brand, marking the first style to roll off the assembly line at one of the first Black-owned footwear factories in the U.S. Based in Somersworth, NH, the factory opened earlier this year as part of a partnership between Designer Brands and JEMS by Pensole focused on creating opportunity for underrepresented Black designers in the footwear industry.
Skechers Gets Satisfaction
Skechers’ latest collab has tongues wagging. That’s because the company has teamed with The Rolling Stones on its first capsule collection featuring the band’s iconic tongue logo across a range of men’s and women’s sneaker silhouettes, including its top-selling Uno and Roadies Surge styles. More dual gender styles are set to hit the fashion stage in 2024. The two brands jam well together—like bandmates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Soles4Souls’ Fundraiser Aids Homeless Kids
New kicks smile! Soles4Souls third annual Race4EveryKid event, a virtual movement challenge, knocked it out of the park by raising more than $250,000 that resulted in 12,530 pairs of shoes given to children experiencing homelessness across the country. Every $20 raised through Race4EveryKid provided a pair of new kicks to a homeless child, allowing them to attend school, try out for a sports team, and stay active.
IR Show Welcomes All
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and nor are trade shows. It takes time, commitment, word-of-mouth, good timing, a great location, and support—from both vendors and buyers—to build a successful show. You might also add faith as a key building block. Namely, a collective belief that the industry needs to come together to conduct business with existing customers and, equally important, potential new ones, and in doing so, a stronger and healthier industry emerges.
The Long Run - Footwear Plus Magazine
Running a successful retail operation is a lot like running. The second you slow down, you lose ground to competitors. And if you cramp up and stop, you can be left behind for good. Joey Pointer refuses to let that happen to Fleet Feet. The chain currently boasts approximately 300 stores and $600 million in annual sales, and Pointer’s five-year goal is to expand to 400 stores and hit the $1 billion mark.
What a Peach - Footwear Plus Magazine
The Battery’s lineup of food and drink is a short walk from the show floor. The Atlanta Shoe Market’s numbers don’t lie. The upcoming edition (Aug. 12-14) will see 900 exhibitors (about 1,700 brands), covering 1 million-plus square feet of the Cobb Galleria Centre and Renaissance Waverly Hotel, making it the largest footwear trade show in the world, according to Executive Director Laura Conwell-O’Brien. In fact, this upcoming show sold out in record time, and now has a waiting list of 60 companies.
The Heights - Footwear Plus Magazine
The Amplux from the new ATR Collection marks Lowa’s entrance into the trail running category. When it comes to Lowa Boots, no one is a more dedicated student of the brand—and the market it serves—than General Manager Peter Sachs. That’s because Sachs has spent his entire 47-year career working in the outdoor sports industry and the past 27 years at the helm of Lowa Boots.
Salute to the Long Haulers
Desktop calendar showing how years fly by from 2012 to 2016 on white background Another editorial theme arose organically during the making of our latest issue. (I love when that happens.) This time around it’s people who’ve logged many years working at one company. They are Laura Conwell-O’Brien, managing director of The Atlanta Shoe Market (p. 8); Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer, the subject of our retail profile (p.
Pop Culture: Crocs Engagement Ring Charm Debuts
Put a Jibbitz on it… Introducing the Crocs Cayman clog engagement ring charm by Jessica Flinn Fine Jewellery. With Google searches for ‘wedding Crocs’ up 23 percent in the past year alone, wedding and engagement ring specialists at the jeweler have created the world’s first engagement ring charm for Crocs for those who want to pop the big question in comfort. The ring charm is set in silver and showcases a 1.10 ct green sapphire alongside cut, 0.010ct lab-grown diamonds.
Zamberlan USA Names New General Manager
Zamberlan, the third-generation handcrafted Italian bootmaker, has hired industry veteran, Bob Whip, as U.S. General Manager. Whip’s strategic business leadership experience is expected to bolster the brand’s commitment to growth, expanded retail partnerships, and continued momentum. “Bob’s appointment to lead Zamberlan USA marks an exciting new chapter in our company’s journey,” states Phil Benson, outgoing General Manager.
Rockport Files Chapter 11 and for Sale
Rockport, the brand that led the brown shoe comfort revolution, has filed for Chapter 11 and is now seeking a buyer. The proposed bidding procedures, if approved by the court, would require interested parties to submit binding offers to acquire the 52-year-old company’s assets. In anticipation of the sales process, the Newton, MA-based company has entered into negotiations with a potential purchaser, who has significant experience in the industry, to serve as a stalking horse bidder.
Footwear Show New York Expo Smokin’ Hot
More than 60 brands from around the world presented their collections during last week’s Footwear Show New York Expo (FSNYE) at the Park Lane New York Hotel. FSNYE President Phyllis Rein reports the show was “by far” the most well-attended show post-Covid, and that’s despite the Big Apple being cast in a choking orange haze from Canadian wildfires. “We had a remarkable 40 percent exhibitor growth compared to our June 2022 expo and a 10 percent increase from December 2023,” Rein says.
Utopian Vision - Footwear Plus Magazine
Evan Schwartz, president of Aetrex Evan Schwartz may or may not be a Trekkie, but he does have a Spock-like interest in science and medicine. Specifically, his interests lie in ways to live a longer and healthier life. He’s currently reading Outlive by Peter Attia, MD, and is inspired by the great work many scientists and doctors are doing on the brain, cellular makeup, sleep, diet, and exercise.
Smooth Operator - Footwear Plus Magazine
Vendee Pro’s Alex Adeli (right) and clients, Debbie and Gil Mouyal, owners of Bearden Design. Data is king, and it’s safe to assume it will only increase in importance amid a pending AI revolution. Yet capturing and using it to benefit one’s retail business remains an elusive challenge—one that various software solutions claim to solve. Vendee Pro is one potential solution.
Fleet Feet Gearing up for its 7th Annual Big Run Event
Results from the 5K races will funnel into a national leaderboard on fleetfeet.com and cash prizes will randomly be awarded to runners celebrating accomplishments of race completion or speed. Additionally, participants who post about the event on their social media channels will be randomly selected to win prizes from The Big Run’s sponsors and event partners. Participants will also receive t-shirts, medals, and bibs.
For Love of the Game
As a kid growing up in Northern New Jersey, I could usually be found on a playing field or a court. I chased down balls hit, kicked, or swatted at me year-round. In fact, I think I really might be part Golden Retriever. From spring through late summer, I spent hours fielding grounders, leaving the field covered in diamond dust. I played pepper with my older brother in our backyard night after night, until it got dark.
Wolverine Worldwide Announces Leadership Changes
Wolverine Worldwide has named Chris Hufnagel president, who will be responsible for leading and driving strategy across the company’s portfolio of brands, along with leading its consumer marketing and insights teams. He will continue to report to Brendan Hoffman, CEO. “Our strategy for long-term growth includes building stronger brands that resonate more meaningfully with our consumers around the globe,” states Hoffman.
Twisted X Donates $1 Million Worth of Footwear to Soles4Souls
In response to the tumultuous natural disaster across Turkey and Syria and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Twisted X is partnering with Soles4Souls to support disaster relief efforts. The Decatur, TX-based brand has donated more than 15,000 pairs of men’s, women’s, and youth footwear to Soles4Souls with a retail value of $1 million.
Syndic8 Adds Spring Footwear Corp. to it Portfolio
Digital sales streamliner Syndic8 has added another leading footwear company to its growing portfolio. The latest to join the family is Spring Footwear Corporation, makers of L’Artiste, Azura, Spring Step, Spring Step Professional, Flexus, Patrizia, and Spring Step Orthotic Inserts. By leveraging Syndic8’s technology, both companies will benefit from a streamlined ecommerce operational flow and improved management of product information across all digital selling channels.
Tradehome Shoes to Open Second West Virginia Location
Country roads, take me home/To the place [Tradehome Shoes belongs]/West Virginia… Tradehome Shoes, the Minnesota-based chain of 120 stores spanning 22 states, announced it will open its second location in West Virginia this June. In addition to its operation in Vienna, new digs will be in Barboursville, further south and also near the Ohio border.
Authentic Brands Group and Global Citizen Unveil Exclusive Take Action Collaboration Initiative
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) and Global Citizen , the world’s leading international advocacy organization, today unveiled Global Citizen’s Take Action campaign, an exclusive collaboration initiative to encourage consumers to activate their purchasing power and drive change toward the most urgent issues facing humanity and our planet.
Hibbett Drops Latest ‘Small-Town Sneakerhead’ Ad
Hibbett and City Gear released its latest installment of the Small-Town Sneakerhead (STSH) series celebrating sneaker culture in partnership with Nike and Nice Kicks. The newest episode features 24-year-old , a physical therapy tech whose father inspired her to collect sneakers. “Small-Town Sneakerhead is an homage to unique and interesting sneaker collectors from unexpected small pockets of the country,” states Sarah Sharp-Wangaard, VP Marketing, Hibbett, an 1,100-plus chain.
Wishlist - Footwear Plus Magazine
Join Our Mailing List! Sign up to receive the digital edition of Footwear Plus, fashion news, and more.
Triple Play - Footwear Plus Magazine
Ayelet Lax Levy, president of U.S. operations for Naot First: You gotta believe. Second: You must have the plans and team in place to attain your goals. Third: The timing must be right. Ayelet Lax Levy, president of U.S. operations for Naot, has gotten two out of three right since she took the reins from her father, Steve Lax, in December 2019. Timing has been the stumbling block for Naot. When the pandemic hit, it put the entire industry in survival mode.
Kuru Study: Foot Pain is Real—and Really Costly - Footwear Plus Magazine
The painful numbers add up. According to Kuru Footwear’s annual Foot Pain Trends report, as many as eight in 10 American are experiencing ongoing foot pain. What’s more, these sufferers spend an average of $228 each month to treat their foot pain. These expenses include podiatrist visits, treatments, medications, orthotics, and more. The report found that 51 percent of adults spend $100 per month, while one in 10 adults spend $250 or more per month ($3,000 per year) on foot pain-related expenses.
Skechers Teams with Mr. T on New Campaign
We pity the fool who doesn’t find Skechers’ latest brand campaign clever and amusing! For more than three decades, Skechers has been spelled the same way—without a ‘t’. Now, for the first time ever, there really is a ‘t’ in Skechers, as in Mr. T. The A-Team legend showcases himself wearing styles across the Skechers product range in a campaign that makes light of a common misconception about how to spell Skechers, which has been unchanged since it was was founded in 1992.
US Households Prioritize Kids’ Footwear Needs
The kids are all right. U.S. households with kids are pulling back on footwear spending more so than those without, as parents are forgoing footwear purchases for themselves, according to Circana (formerly IRI and The NPD Group). Among households with kids under the age of 18, overall footwear sales revenue declined by one percent and unit sales fell eight percent, year-over-year, in the 12 months ending February 2023.
Sneaker Prices Rising, but so is Discounting
Something has got to give, right? Average sneaker prices have surged to record levels in the U.S., rising by 12.3 percent since the turn of the decade, according to the Sneaker Market Index. The rise shows no sign of slowing, as sneaker prices have increased by 4.3 percent since the start of this year. Item prices averaged $126.89 across the category in March 2023—a $9.07 jump on average, compared to the same period last year.
Two Ten to Honor Dr. D’Wayne Edwards with Annual Award
The Two Ten Foundation will present its T. Kenyon Award to Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC) founder Dr. D’Wayne Edwards at its Annual Gala on June 6, 2023 at Pier 60 in New York. The award is given to someone from the industry who is making an important contribution to society through philanthropy, charitable service, social enterprise, or social activism. Dr. Edwards’ career credentials most certainly meet that high standard.
Aetrex Partners with PLC to Improve Next Generation of Footwear Design
Aetrex is partnering with Pensole Lewis College School of Business & Design (PLC) to further the school’s mission to help diverse, budding designers break into the world of product creation and improve the industry for the next generation. The Teaneck, NJ-based company has donated one of its state-of-the-art Albert 2Pro 3D foot scanners to the Detroit-based school.
Black Diamond Teams with Syndic8 to Boost Digital Sales
The Black Diamond Group, makers of protective footwear, is teaming with Syndic8 as its ecommerce syndication platform. With a vast selection of high variant SKUs, the company needed a solution to simplify the process of managing product information and streamline the flow of data across all digital selling channels.
Designer Brands and PLC Open One of the First Black-Owned U.S. Footwear Factories
Designer Brands, in partnership with the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC), has cut the ribbon on the JEMS by Pensole factory in Somersworth, NH, one of the first Black-owned footwear factories in the United States.
Foot Locker Finishes Strong; Outlines Growth Plan
It’s not how you start, it’s where you finish—and where you’re headed. As that race logic pertains to Foot Locker, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, the chain’s Q4 comp sales grew by 4.2 percent, driven by increased traffic and improved access to high-quality inventory, resulting in strength across brands and regions. Meanwhile, total sales—excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations—increased by 3.6 percent during the quarter.
Two Ten Names A.A. Bloom Memorial Award Honoree
The Two Ten Foundation’s annual A.A. Bloom Award, created in honor of the late A.A. Bloom, one of the original founders of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation, will go to Susan Itzkowitz, president of Marc Fisher Footwear. The award recognizes an individual who has given greatly to further the mission of Two Ten through their dedication, initiative, and hard work in advancing the organization’s efforts to lift lives in the footwear industry.
Wolverine Worldwide Announces New Board Chairman and Directors
That’s a wrap. Wolverine Worldwide Chairman and retired CEO, Blake Krueger, will be retiring from the board on May 4, 2023. Tom Long, the Board’s Lead Independent Director, has been appointed to serve as the next chairman. For Krueger, it marks the culmination of an approximately 30-year run with the Rockford, MI-based company, which spanned a series of executive roles culminating in his appointment as CEO and Board member in 2007, then as CEO and Chairman of the Board in 2010.
Wolverine and Halo Launch Spartan-Inspired Boot Collection
Wolverine, the 140-year-old boot and clothing brand, and 343 Industries, developer of the Halo franchise, are continuing their partnership for a second year in a row. Following the launch of the Wolverine x Halo Master Chief boot that sold out in less than one minute, this four-boot, limited-edition drop will be available on Mar. 16 exclusively on for $175 and in select colors on Journeys.com. The Spartan-inspired colorways are Wild Kovan, Foxwood Seal, Scorpion Horvath, and Midnight Frost.
Famous Footwear Customers Dreaming Big
The donations have helped to ensure foster youth have access to new shoes, warm coats, clothes, extracurricular activities, and laptops for school. During a time when donations can be hard to come by—and kids entering care need more assistance than ever—Famous Footwear has allowed Ticket to Dream Foundation to reach more kids than ever before. “Ticket to Dream has been blown away by the generosity of Famous Footwear and their customers,” says CEO Gina Davis.
Bus Stop Drops Off Latest Collab and Defines New Route
It being March Madness, Philadelphia-based boutique Bust Stop is fittingly celebrating its sweet 16th year with the introduction of its latest collab with All Black Footwear. Owner/founder Elena Brennan says the Bus Stop X Ground spring/summer collection is about feeling grounded and connecting with nature. “We are peace seekers and always find solace in nature. It grounds us,” Brennan says, adding that the designs are timeless, classics with a twist, and are beautifully crafted by artisans.
Skechers Serves up Martha Stewart Collab
It‘s a good thing… Skechers is giving women a chance to step into lifestyle queen Martha Stewart’s shoes with her personalized Spring ’23 capsule, A Day in the Life of Martha—her co-branded footwear collection. Launched on International Women’s Day, the new assortment offers Stewart’s iconic design stamp on Skechers’ most popular slip-ins, slides, and sandals for daywear, entertaining, and weekend wellness.
DXL Launches New Campaign
Destination XL Group, a specialty retailer of Big + Tall men’s clothing and shoes, announced the launch of its new “Wear What You Want” brand campaign, elevating the Canton, MA-based chain’s commitment to serve the fit and style needs of its target customer base. The campaign is an invitation for customers to shop like everyone else by providing the freedom to choose their own style. That spans nearly 30 footwear brands, including Clarks, Propét, Minnetonka, New Balance and Skechers.
Feet Feet Launches Largest Brand Campaign to Date
Fleet Feet, the largest franchisor of locally owned and operated run specialty stores, has launched its new “#ReasonsWeRun” brand campaign, a cross–channel effort highlighting people who decide to start running, and the positive effects it has on their lives.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Greg
Contact Greg, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack