Shoe-In

Taped during the 2018 FDRA Executive Summit, Matt and Andy listen in on a panel discussion focused on innovative consumer engagement with four key footwear and digital executives including D'Wayne Edwards, Jeff Hunt, Sara Irvani, and John Puterbaugh. Listen now for key takeaways before it's too late!

Celebrating his store's 20th year, Ted McGreer of Ted's Shoe & Sport (https://www.tedsports.com) in Keene, New Hampshire shares his insights into successful footwear customer service in an ever-expanding e-commerce world. Investments in people, product, and his community are just a few of the keys to Ted's success and longevity. Jasmine jumps in with her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she downloads on the rise of orthopedic shoes and the reemergence of closed-toe clear shoes.

Chris Hillyer, Director of Innovation at Deckers Brands, joins Shoe-In to unveil the innovative aspects and game-changing tools of the emerging (www.material-exchange.com) website under development by PTC, FDRA, and Substance. Jasmine shocks Matt and Andy with her amazing Fashion Footwear in Focus segment that confidently declares that suede shoes are in even during the Summer. According to Jasmine, everyone is incorporating suede in their summer collection including Deckers' brand Koolaburra.

Footwear industry analyst and commentator extraordinaire Chris Burns rings up Shoe-In to provide his many thoughts on the Puma/Jay-Z collab, the cooling off at adidas, the dominance of NIKE, the importance of the resale market in tracking athletic brand trends, and everything in between. Jasmine jumps in with her world famous Fashion Footwear in Focus segment as she explores the prevalence of mismatched shoes.

Doug Ricketts, Manager of Pacers Running in Fairfax, Virginia, drops by the Shoe-In Show studio to explore the importance of specialty running stores, tricks to the sit & fit trade, and to download on the latest and greatest brands runners are in search for. Jasmine joins in with her world famous 'Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'?' segment.

Andy and Matt take a deep dive into how a footwear leader is scrapping old development processes and digitizing their design and development programs. Listen to hear how Wolverine Worldwide is using 3D technologies and new workers to significantly cut down on development times so shoes go from concept to shelf faster and have a greater chance of success.

Matt and Andy get an inside look at critical issues surrounding material development and management from Ariat’s Director of Materials Joanne Stetson. Joanne gives us a glimpse into one of the toughest jobs in the business as the one of the keys to helping produce high-quality footwear; making this a must-listen episode for everyone in the shoe business.

The Material Shows founder and operator Hisham Muhareb joins Shoe-In to discuss his amazing shoe story, the bi-annual show he runs where shoe designers get inspired and new materials are found for the next great pair of kicks. New material innovations and insights are also explored. Jasmine jumps in on the fun as she introduces Allbirds' (aka The world's most comfortable shoes) newest style made from trees. 

There's a quiet shoe making revolution taking place in NYC and its lead revolutionary, Brandon Cohn, CEO of Lee & Barrett, stops by Shoe-In to educate the boys on the Lee & Barrett story and the dawn of a new footwear Americana. Jasmine downloads on how footwear fashion is focused on leathers and suede low tops even for the warm weather...what happened to knit uppers?

Famous Footwear President Rick Ausick and FFANY President and CEO Ron Fromm stop by Shoe-In to discuss the upcoming FFANY Shoes on Sale event on October 11th as it celebrates 25 years of raising vital funds for breast cancer research. Jasmine explains how Fila's new but very old sneaker will be very on trend this summer in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. For more information on Shoes on Sale and to get involved visit FFANY at https://www.ffany.org/charity/2018-event/.

Esteemed cobbler and master shoemaker Marcell Mrsan joins the show to discuss the importance of the craftsmanship of shoemaking and the opportunities he provides aspiring shoe producers at his shop in Savannah, GA. Jasmine jumps in to highlight the top two shoes from Yeezy Season 6 - Flatform Slides and Mudrat Dad Sneakers in her Fashion Footwear in Focus segment. For more info about Marcell's courses, check him out here - https://www.shoemakingcourse.com

Gary Weiner, Saxon Shoes President and Owner, joins the Shoe-In Show to discuss the strategies he and his team employ to ensure his customers are comfortable, happy, and loyal. Jasmine observes fashion footwear trends at Coachella including thigh-high Ugg boots.

Think differently about change and innovation as Shoe-in’s Andy Polk philosophizes about all the changes to traditional footwear business models: the nature of successful companies innovating, the true nature of the changing consumer and why it could mean Amazon doesn’t continue to dominate eCommerce in the future. Taped during FDRA’s Retail Revolution Summit, Shoe-in’s famed producer Blake Althen co-hosts, helping push Andy to open up more on what FDRA sees taking place across the industry.

Tiffany Beers, lead innovator on the Nike Hyperadapt and 2015 Nike Mag, joins the Shoe-In Show to discuss footwear innovation and the challenges brands face in developing innovative product. She also reminisces about the many ups and downs in developing NIKE's signature self-lacing shoes. Jasmine joins in the fun in the world famous "Whatcha Got? Watcha Gettin'?" segment.

FFANY President and CEO Ron Fromm stops by the Shoe-In Show studio to discuss the monumental changes underway at FFANY as it celebrates its 40th year. Member engagement is high on Ron's list as FFANY's transformation continues. Jasmine jumps in to explore the shoes Ron is wearing and those he plans to buy next in the world famous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? For more information about FFANY's upcoming shows and events visit ffany.org.