Private label footwear is an interesting discussion.
I was surprised to hear REI getting out of making their own footwear. It looked good and I think offered a well-branded, unique approach offering some good value and performance (Vibram outsoles, etc.). There seemed to be an authentic story and reason to exist.
Often private label is synonymous with cheap. Footwear in particular can be hard to execute well when it's at a very competitive price point, often with a large SKU offering and has the realities of tooling costs and technical development. Most commonly private label footwear is pawned off to a trading company to stick a logo on "knock-off" designs with open tooling produced at a questionable quality and performance standard.
But I think private labels can compete.
My first experience in footwear was with Power Footwear, possibly the largest global private label - a "house brand" of Bata Group. It showed me it is possible to craft real performance with value in mind and we did so with design as a strength. Original tooling, original technology, original design.
Decathlon is also doing it really well. Some of the latest KIPRUN products I think can go head to head with Nike, Adidas, etc. Amazing design and cutting edge performance and sponsored top athletes. They have turned in-house resources and brands into a showcase for products that bring consumers into the stores. The whole point of private label in the first place.
What do you think?
Can private label footwear exist in today's retail landscape where a brand is more than product and needs to be supported by marketing, social, and the full experience?
Do consumers want private labels?
Do they know/care they aren't "real" brands?
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I’m the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design consultancy. We make great footwear, not just great sketches.
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REI Co-op is making significant changes to its footwear strategy.
For starters, the outdoor retailer confirmed with FN that it is exiting its REI-branded footwear business after 2024, four years after the company revealed to FN that it would begin producing its own shoes. In the time since its initial launch, REI has delivered eco-friendly hiking boots, trail runners and more.
Why REI Co-op Is Doubling Down on Running Shoes and Exiting Its Branded Footwear Business
https://footwearnews.com
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4moFantastic achievement and a great addition to our skis and boards👍