Is Running the New Streetwear?

Welcome back to FN Daily, where we break down the biggest stories happening in footwear and retail.

Today, we're looking at Dick's Sporting Goods ' latest quarter. Plus, Deckers CEO said running is "the new streetwear" and we asked analysts to weigh in. Finally, Hari Mari launched a one-for-one donation model for National Flip Flop Day.

Here's what you need to know.

Dick’s CEO Is ‘Excited’ About Innovation Coming From Nike

Footwear was a standout category for Dick’s Sporting Goods in the first quarter. And Nike , a key shoe vendor for the retailer, helped lead the way.

“Within our strategic partners, we are very excited about the long-term work that we saw in Nike,” Dick’s chief executive officer Lauren Hobart said in a call with analysts on Wednesday, noting how the Dick’s team had recently attended Nike’s “Innovation Summit” and had visited their offices to take a look “at future innovation.”

While Nike has recently faced slowing?sales trends , the threat of?new competitors and accusations of?weak product pipeline , Hobart appeared optimistic about what the Swoosh has to offer. The executive touted Nike’s focus on technology, especially within its Air platform, as well as its product and marketing line-up for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

BeyONd Nike: Hobart also called out other top partners like Hoka and On, both of which have benefited from the retailer’s revamped full-service footwear decks that offer a more premium shopping experience in stores.

Deckers CEO Says Running Is ‘Becoming the New Streetwear’ — But That Doesn’t Mean Hoka Will Lose Its Performance Bent

The Deckers-owned Hoka brand made its mark as a premium footwear option for the running community. But now, Hoka‘s lifestyle appeal is driving a new wave of growth for the brand.

In a call with analysts last week, Deckers‘ chief executive officer Dave Powers discussed Hoka’s evolution from a shoe for hard-core runners to a brand being adopted by people outside of the sport. According to Powers, this phenomenon is part of a larger trend taking place within fashion and running.

“I believe there’s a generalized trend out there that running is kind of becoming the new streetwear , Powers said. “Those looks are adopted by more consumers now than they ever have been, and we see that continuing. And we welcome those consumers into the brand, but they will be buying performance product from us, not lifestyle design products.”

Indeed, Hoka as well as its competitor, On, is increasingly gaining market share across various demographics, especially teens, as consumers opt for more comfortable shoe options in their daily lives.

Here's what analysts had to say about the trend.

Hari Mari Launches One-for-One Donation Model for National Flip Flop Day Benefitting Soles4Souls

Hari Mari is continuing its charitable mission this month with the launch of a new one-for-one donation model for National Flip Flop Day.

According to the Dallas-based shoe brand, for every adult pair of flip flops purchased on May 29 on harimari.com , the brand will donate a new pair of kids flip flops to Soles4Souls. The flip flops will be going specifically to Soles4Souls’ 4Relief program, which provides new shoes and clothing to people experiencing hardship, either chronically or because of a crisis.

“Philanthropy is a part of Hari Mari’s DNA so we’re excited to add this fun and new initiative to the brand’s agenda,” Lila Stewart, cofounder of Hari Mari, said in a statement. ‘We’ve never done something special like this before for National Flip Flop Day, so my hope is that it’s a success and it’s something that we do every year.”

Stewart added that her collective goal as a team is to donate at least a thousand pairs of kids flips flops . “That would be amazing,” she added.

This new initiative adds to Hari Mari’s existing slate of philanthropic efforts . Past projects include “Flop Drops,” which allow the brand the ability to give away hundreds of pairs of flip flops to those in need in countries like Guatemala and Antigua.

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