Footwear News

When it comes to?Salomon, there was?plenty to talk about in 2024. And if the brand’s presence at The Running Event (TRE) last week is any indication, consumers and insiders alike will have a lot more to discuss in 2025. The outdoor brand was on fire in 2024, specifically racking up wins with fashion-focused footwear consumers. Specifically, the brand’s collaborations with the likes of?Sandy Liang,?MM6 Maison Margiela?and?Aries, as well as influential retailers?Sneakersnstuff?and?Nordstrom, had people hitting the streets in looks that were made for technical terrain. Here, Salomon's president of the Americas Steven Doolan talks with FN and offered several insights into the brand's future heading into 2025.

HOKA has created?a?trail running?shoe with pizza and tacos on the outsole. The Mafate was the?first Hoka shoe?that ever hit the market, and next year, the brand will release its latest shoe bearing the name. Arriving in May 2025 is the?Hoka?Mafate X, a?trail-ready shoe?that will retail for $225

Nordstrom’s focus on its footwear roots this year is paying off. On the company’s third-quarter?earnings?call on Tuesday,?Pete Nordstrom, president of the Seattle-based department store chain, told analysts that its “Make Room for Shoes” campaign was one of the contributors to its growth in the period. First announced in February, the Make Room for Shoes initiative comes to life through monthly partnerships with some of the industry’s top footwear brands. So far, the retailer has highlighted brands such as On, Birkenstock, Sam Edelman, Larroudé, Dolce Vita and Ugg.

Elliott Hill?has only been the chief executive officer of?Nike?since October. But the new leader has already made several major changes to the company’s leadership team and structure.

After several shoe collaborations with brands like?Hey Dude?and Oliver Cabell, Lee is set to launch its own footwear line next year. The Kontoor Brands, Inc.-owned?denim label?has inked a new?licensing?agreement with Jack Schwartz Shoes for Lee branded men’s footwear.

LANE EIGHT, the sustainable performance sneaker brand founded by brothers James and Josh Shorrock, is closing down by year’s end.

As 2025 comes into focus, Italian design specialist Industria del Design is setting its sights on major expansion in the U.S. market.

A major shift is coming for one of Europe’s top national?soccer?teams, as?Puma?has announced a new long-term agreement with the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

Nordstrom?Inc., benefiting from fresher brand merchandise and investments in?expanding the Rack?off-price division, managed to surpass Wall Street expectations on the top and bottom lines for the third quarter. While there was a drop in the bottom-line net to $46 million from the $67 million in net?earnings?a year ago, there were increases in operating profits and sales revenues during the third quarter ended Nov. 2.

With sales momentum at their backs and a compressed calendar ahead, most retailers are anticipating a decent turnout for?Black Friday?and the?holiday?season despite the nation’s ongoing angst over inflation.