Execs from Saks, Nordstrom Talk Men’s Shoe Trends
Footwear News
Keeping you up to date on top news in the footwear industry, groundbreaking fashion trends and the who's who in shoes.
Hello and Happy fourth of July eve! Welcome back to FN Daily, where we break down the biggest stories happening in footwear and retail.
It may be the day before a major holiday, but the shoe news hasn't slowed yet. We caught up with executives from Saks and Nordstrom to discuss what shoe trends dominated the spring 2025 European runways last month. Plus, American Exchange Group has closed on a deal to acquire Island Surf Company. And Eastside Golf signed a high school golfer to its NIL roster.
We won't publish FN Daily tomorrow in observance of the holiday. But for now, here's what you need to know.
Execs from Saks, Nordstrom Talk Men’s Shoe Trends for Spring 2025 + Most Surprising Moments from Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks
After a whirlwind June filled with fresh fashion from Florence, Milan and Paris, there is a lot to digest from last month’s spring/summer 2025 European men’s shows .
And while loafers, mules and sandals ruled the runway, the reality is most men are still focused on buying sneakers. According to recent data from Circana’s retail tracking service, top men’s footwear categories this spring were running and sports lifestyle sneakers. Unsurprisingly, running sneakers were driven by the much larger road running segment as well as trail. And when it came to sport lifestyle sneakers , this segment was driven mainly by retro sneakers with tennis, soccer, and training roots.
Together running and sport lifestyle made up about half of men’s footwear sales this spring and gained share versus last year, Circana noted. Interestingly, the fashion shoe category overall was down and lost share during the period. However, the retail analytics firm noted that there was some growth in flip flops – which were up 2 percent in May over last year.
So, what’s next? To find out, FN caught up with executives from Saks and Nordstrom to discuss what shoe trends dominated the spring 2025 European runways last month, this season’s most talked about shows and more surprising moments from Paris and Milan.
American Exchange Group Acquires Island Surf Company Shoe Brand
As the shoe deal market heats up, American Exchange Group has added another brand to its growing portfolio.
The New York-based footwear and accessories company, which in 2022?bought Aerosoles ?and last year?purchased the White Mountain ?shoe brand and a creative services and digital marketing company, told FN on Wednesday that it has closed on another deal, this time to acquire Island Surf Company , a nautically inspired shoe brand founded in 2008. Under the deal, Island Surf Company will become a division of the White Mountain footwear brand, where it will benefit from existing infrastructure, sourcing expertise and retail partnerships.
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Island Surf Company chief executive officer Joe O’Brien, who will stay on board at them helm of the brand, added in a statement that the acquisition will allow Island Surf Company to reach a broader consumer base . The brand, known for its lightweight, water-resistant shoes, is currently sold at Amazon, Beall’s Department Stores, Beall’s Outlet, Boscov’s, TJX Group, Shoe Carnival, Shoe Show and more retailers as well as on its own brand website.
Big picture: The news is the latest sign that footwear deal activity has indeed begun to heat up. Just last month,?RG Barry?Corporation revealed it had?been acquired ?by the Marubeni Growth Capital U.S. (MGCU) a subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Marubeni Corporation. At the time of the announcement, RG Barry chief executive officer Bob Mullaney said that the investment would help the company target new acquisitions moving forward that would likely live in the footwear space.
Eastside Golf Signs High School Golfer?Kihei Akina to NIL Roster
Eastside Golf has added another young golfer to its growing roster of NIL athletes.
The golf apparel company on Tuesday announced that it signed high school senior Kihei Akina to its Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) athlete roster . Akina is a native of Kahuku, Hawaii and is a rising senior at Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah with plans to attend Brigham Young University.
Akina ranked No. 1 in the 2025 class by Golfweek and was named the National Boys High School Golfer of the Year by USA Today in 2023. This year, he placed first at the Nike Junior Invitational, set a course and tournament record at the Terra Cotta Invitational at Naples Golf Club and made it to the final qualifying round for the U.S. Open.
He joins Eastside Golf’s growing roster of NIL athletes , which includes Temple University freshman Matthew Vital.
Eastside Golf , a frequent collaboration partner of?Jordan Brand, was founded in 2019 by former Morehouse College golf teammates Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper. In January, the lifestyle golf brand announced it had closed a $3.4 million seed round led by EP Golf Ventures.
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