Footwear News articles from March 1989

Footwear News archives from March 1989

GDS fair confirms early trends. (footwear show in West Germany)
March 27, 1989... GDS fair confirms early trends DUSSELDORF, West Germany (FNS) -- The mammoth GDS shoe fair reserved a few pleasant surprises for the few American visitors who came over, confirming trends already spotted at other shows and highlighting new...

Nike profit soars 76.9% in quarter. (athletic shoe manufacturer)
March 27, 1989... Nike profit soars 76.9% in quarter BEAVERTON, Ore. (FNS) -- Nike Inc.'s earnings surged 76.9 percent in the third quarter ended Feb. 28, propelled by strong sales increases in all product categories, particularly fitness. Revenue moved ahead...

Woburn to provide color galore. (Woburn, MA, footwear industry show)
March 27, 1989... Woburn to provide color galore WOBURN, Mass. -- Color will break through the black barrier in spring 1990, reported leather suppliers who will exhibit at the New England Leather & Components Suppliers Show here, this week, providing multi-hued...

Hanson buys Frye, adds it to E-J group. (John A. Frye Co., Hanson Industries Inc., footwear manufacturers)
March 27, 1989... Hanson buys Frye, adds it to E-J group MARLBORO, Mass.--The John A. Frye Co., which had been a brand of the Rockport Co., was purchased last week by Hanson Industries, the U.S. arm of Hanson PLC, for an undisclosed amount. Frye will become...

Fisher Camuto U.S. shoe are not 'talking.' (dispute over US Shoe Corp sale of its division)
March 27, 1989... Fisher Camuto U.S. Shoe are `not talking' CINCINNATI -- The dispute between Fisher Camuto Group, Stamford, Conn., and U.S. Shoe Corp., here, over U.S. Shoe's sale of its footwear division, was as if in the eye of a hurricane last week:...

Consumer forecast buoys shoe firms' outlook.
March 27, 1989... Consumer forecast buoys shoe firms' outlook NEW YORK (FNS) -- A pickup in consumer purchases and operational improvements should translate into healthier balance sheets for several footwear companies in 1989, contended Robert Buchanan, vice...

Retail footwear prices up 6.5% in Feb. from '88.
March 27, 1989... Retail footwear prices up 6.5% in Feb. from '88 WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Retail footwear prices in February increased 6.5 percent from February 1988 prices, about 35 percent higher than the 4.8 percent rise in inflation in the same 12-month period,...

Loynd to head Interco as Ford chairs Converse. (Richard Loynd, Gib Ford, athletic shoe manufacturer)
March 27, 1989... Loynd to head Interco, as Ford chairs Converse NEW YORK -- Richard Loynd, chairman of Converse Inc., North Reading, Mass., has been named the new president and chief operating officer of Interco Inc., St. Louis, parent of Converse and Florsheim...

Osceola parent ordered to put up $1.5 mil. in suit. (First General Resources Inc. vs former owners of Osceola Shoe)
March 27, 1989... Osceola parent ordered to put up $1.5 mil. in suit LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- First General Resources Inc., Dallas-based parent of Osceola Shoe Co., Osceola, Ark., was ordered to deposit $1.5 million with U.S. District Court, here, last week as a...

Timberland quarter profit in a nosedive. (footwear manufacturer)
March 27, 1989... Timberland quarter profit in a nosedive HAMPTON, N.H. -- The Timberland Co. reported fourth-quarter earnings plummeted 84.7 percent to $384,000 or 4 cents a share from $2,517,000 or 24 cents, a year earlier. However, company president...

Independents have edge in talking to developers. (footwear retailers)
March 27, 1989... Independents have edge in talking to developers ATLANTA -- Independent retailers may have more clout negotiating leases with developers, and more flexibility negotiating their insurance coverage than they seem to think, according to a retail...

Retailers say producers apply price pressure. (footwear price fixing)
March 27, 1989... Retailers say producers apply price pressure WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Manufacturers, including those who market athletic footwear, are increasingly pressuring discounters to charge higher prices, asserted retailers who advocated strengtening...

Altice plans to sell back U.S. license to Fila S.p.A. (athletic footwear manufacturer)
March 27, 1989... Altice plans to sell back U.S. license to Fila S.p.A. HUNT VALLEY, Md. -- H. Altice Marketing Inc., the exclusive licensee for Fila Athletic Footwear in the U.S., plans to sell back the license to Fila S.p.A. in Italy, said Robert Baker, vice...

Algeni Sr. take the helm at Dunham. (Dunham Footwear Co.)
March 27, 1989... Algeni Sr. takes the helm at Dunham BRATTLEBORO, Vt. -- Richard Algeni Sr. recently was named president of Dunham Footwear Co., succeeding John M. Dunham. Dunham, who had been president for 11 years, will continue in his role as chairman...

Suppliers see snappy product wooing makers. (shoe manufacturers)
March 27, 1989... Suppliers see snappy product wooing makers WOBURN, Mass. -- Suppliers will seek to improve relationships with manufacturers by providing innovative and fresh products as well as enhancing marketing and education programs, predicted leather...

Vuitton's battle for firm aided by state attorney. (La Commission des Operations de Bourse, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton)
March 27, 1989... Vuittons' battle for firm aided by state attorney PARIS (FNS) -- France's financial industry watchdog, La Comission des Operations de Bourse (COB), has announced it is widening its investigation into share dealings in Moet Hennessy Louis...

Volume Shoe's same-store annual sales slip 2.2%.
March 27, 1989... Volume Shoe's same-store annual sales slip 2.2% ST. LOUIS--On a store-for-store basis, May Department Stores Co.'s Volume Shoe division fared no better in the company's fiscal year ended Jan. 28 than many shoe stores in a tough retail climate:...

Cherokee expects qtr. income to jump 65.2%. (footwear-clothing manufacturer)
March 27, 1989... Cherokee expects qtr. income to jump 65.2% SUNLAND, Calif. (FNS) -- Boosted by what its president terms "sensational" sales gains in its XCess Baggage young men's apparel line, The Cherokee Group expects to post a 65.2 percent gain in...

U.S. Shoe faces class action as Fisher Camuto cries foul. (shareholders sue company for sale of footwear division)
March 20, 1989... U.S. Shoe faces class action as Fisher Camuto cries foul CINCINNATI -- U.S. Shoe Corp. faced a fifth class action lawsuit last week charging violations of securities laws and conflict of interest in the proposed sale of its footwear division,...

Freeman is sold to investors. (footwear manufacturer)
March 20, 1989... Freeman is sold to investors BELOIT, Wis. -- Freeman Shoe Co. was sold last week to a New York-based investment group for an undisclosed price. The privately-held men's shoe manufacturer, which was acquired by Neil Harvey and other...

Consumers clamoring for comfort. (comfort shoes)
March 20, 1989... Consumers clamoring for comfort NEW YORK -- Whether walking on dusty dirt roads, pacing down shiny waxed factory floors, or fighting through rush hour on cement sidewalks, consumers want comfort to get them where they are going, said many U.S....

Resource business Rx includes 'hotsy' styles. (footwear outsourcing)
March 20, 1989... Resource business Rx includes `hosty' styles NEW YORK -- Resources at last month's shoe shows here offered this prescription to relieve symptoms associated with the industry's ongoing restructuring: Scramble to lower-cost source countries;...

Puma USA set to make pitch as grassroots. (athletic shoe manufacturer)
March 20, 1989... Puma USA set to make pitch at grassroots FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- As part of its new strategy under independent ownership, Puma USA will implement a targeted advertising and promotional approach with a grassroots flavor as well as an enhanced...

ITC hears plan FRA calling for lower duties. (tariff on footwear, Footwear Retailers Association)
March 20, 1989... ITC hears plan FRA calling for lower duties NEW YORK -- The debate over possible reduction and, in some cases, total elimination of U.S. footwear tariffs is heating up as the International Trade Commission (ITC) hears arguments pro and con. ...

J. Baker's Kuhn wants to build another Meldisco. (Robert Kuhn, store consultant)
March 20, 1989... J. Baker's Kuhn wants to build another Meldisco NEW YORK -- Robert Kuhn, who on Feb. 1 retired as a director and executive vice president of Melville Corp., Harrison, now is a consultant for J. Baker Inc., Readville, Mass., the firm he said...

Athletic industry gives service the inside rail. (improving service between manufacturer and retailer)
March 20, 1989... Athletic industry gives service the inside rail NEW YORK -- Product no longer reigns supreme in the athletic footwear industry... for this year anyway. While athletic footwear companies are still churning out the most technically advanced...

U.K.'s McAfee enters into receivership. (shoe retailer, manufacturer)
March 20, 1989... U.K.'s McAfee enters into receivership LONDON (FNS) -- McAfee Shoes, one of Britain's bestknown men's shoe manufacturers and retailers, last week went into receivership. Receivership is similar to Chapter 11 in the U.S. The receivers will...

Bally realigns exec staff to increase board duties. (footwear manufacturer)
March 20, 1989... Bally realigns exec staff to increase board duties LONDON (FNS) -- Bally International has reorganized its executive staff to increase board responsibility for day-to-day business and has created a marketing administration with four new...

Armani opens 1st Emporio store in U.S. (clothing-footwear stores)
March 20, 1989... Armani opens 1st Emporio store in U.S. NEW YORK -- Shoe revenue will contribute about 10 percent of sales -- or about $600,000 -- in the first Emporio Armani store in America, opened here last week by Giorgio Armani. "Footwear will make...

Macy's quarter profit up 19.8%.
March 20, 1989... Macy's quarter profit up 19.8% NEW YORK (FNS) -- Despite sharply higher interest costs resulting from the acquisition of I. Magnin and Bullock's, R. H. Macy & Co. reported earnings advanced 19.8 percent in the second quarter, but declined 19.1...

Comfort with chic hits its stride via 'gray' market. (comfort shoes for aging consumers)
March 20, 1989... Comfort with chic hits its stride via `gray' market NEW YORK -- Comfortable shoes, once the domain of dowagers and duty nurses, have emerged in footwear's mainstream. And, as industry observers acknowledge, the driving force behind the comfort...

Kangaroos goes private for $15 million notes. (athletic footwear manufacturer)
March 20, 1989... Kangaroos goes private for $15 million notes ST. LOUIS -- Kangaroos U.S.A. Inc. is attempting to raise $15 million in a private placement of unsecured notes. Donald Simon, chairman, confirmed that an offering summary has been issued and...

Ryka logs quarter loss but sales are on target. (athletic shoe manufacturer)
March 20, 1989... Ryka logs quarter loss but sales are on target WEYMOUTH, Mass. -- Ryka Inc., which made an initial public offering last year, reported a loss of $629,000, or 6 cents a share, for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 1988. Sales for the quarter...

Gore-Tex bolsters Asia base. (clothing-footwear manufacturer)
March 20, 1989... HONG KONG (FNS) -- U.S. Gore-Tex producer W.L. Gore and Associates is improving its Asian base with licensed factories for exporting products to American clients. And the company is exploring sales opportunities in regional markets. "We...

Brazil men's makers' sales fall short of the mark at N.Y. shows. (footwear industry)
March 20, 1989... Brazil men's makers' sales fall short of the mark at N.Y. shows RIO DE JANEIRO (FNS) -- Brazilian-based export agents and manufacturers recently told FN men's footwear from Brazil did not sell nearly as well as they had hoped it would at last...

Barach explains hand played in U.S. Shoe deal. (Phil Barach, U.S. Shoe Corp.)
March 13, 1989... Barach explains hand played in U.S. Shoe deal NEW YORK -- "We didn't get Mr. Japan or Mr. Britain coming in and wanting to buy the whole business; we had to play with the hand we were dealt," declared Phil Barach, chairman and president of...

Ex-buyer Hanson arrested as murder mastermind. (Melvin Hanson)
March 13, 1989... Ex-buyer Hanson arrested as murder mastermind NEW YORK -- Melvin Eugene "Gene" Hanson, who spent 15 years as a footwear buyer for such department stores as Robinson's, Goldwaters and Thalhimers, has been arrested and charged with masterminding...

WWW sees Hush Puppies taking big leaps this year. (Wolverine World Wide Inc.)
March 13, 1989... WWW sees Hush Puppies taking big leaps this year ROCKFORD, Mich. -- Following extensive changes in structure, personnel, and advertising, Wolverine World Wide (WWW) "has put its house in order" and projects significant gains this year in its...

Baker to hike volume by 40% with Ames pact. (J. Baker Inc., discount houses)
March 13, 1989... Baker to hike volume by 40% with Ames pact BOSTON -- J. Baker Inc. will increase its sales volume by 40 percent as a result of an agreement signed last week with Ames Department Stores, Rocky Hill, Conn., to operate shoe departments in 315 of...

El Greco founder Cole to share ceo title with Kubetz. (Charlie Cole, Harry Kubetz, footwear manufacturers)
March 13, 1989... El Greco founder Cole to share ceo title with Kubetz PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- El Greco Inc. founder and chairman of the board Charlie Cole will now share the title of chief executive officer with president Harry Kubetz. The company also...

Endicott eyeing Frye brand name. (Endicott Johnson Corp., footwear manufacturer)
March 13, 1989... Endicott eyeing Frye brand name MARLBORO, Mass. -- Rockport Co. president Bob Slattery confirmed last week the company is seeking to sell its Frye brand name to Endicott Johnson, Endicott, N.Y. "We're negotiating with them, said Slattery,...

U.S retailers fine-tune purchasing at MICAM. (Footwear trade show in Bologna, Italy)
March 13, 1989... U.S. retailers fine-tune purchasing at MICAM The big talk at MICAM was whether it may be the last held in Bologna. BOLOGNA (FNS) -- High prices, stagnant retail sales in the U.S. and the general lack of fashion direction in women's footwear...

Reebok lbo rumors abound after active stock trading. (athletic shoe manufacturer)
March 13, 1989... Reebok lbo rumors abound after active stock trading NEW YORK -- The athletic shoe industry again was abuzz with Reebok leveraged buyout rumors last week following heavier-than-usual trading volume on the New York stock exchange. A number...

Revelations, Penaljo consolidate operations. (Penaljo Shoe Corp., Revelations Shoe Corp.)
March 13, 1989... Revelations, Penaljo consolidate operations NEW YORK -- The operations of Revelations Shoe Corp., here, and Penaljo Shoe Corp., St. Louis, are being consolidated in an effort to strengthen the performance of both brands in the U.S. footwear...

WWW qtr. profit rises 12% as sales slip 3%. (Wolverine World Wide Inc.)
March 13, 1989... WWW qtr. profit rises 12% as sales slip 3% ROCKFORD, Mich. -- Wolverine World Wide Inc. reported net earnings increased 12 percent for the fourth quarter, ended Dec. 31, 1988, while sales slipped 3 percent. Fourth-quarter earnings were...

Big retailer's February footwear sales mixed.
March 13, 1989... Big retailers' February footwear sales mixed NEW YORK (FNS) -- A group of the nation's leading retailers posted strong February sales overall, but footwear sales were mixed. High-end athletic footwear continued its momentum, but sales of...

Wright takes first step in halting oversized charges. (footwear sizes)
March 13, 1989... Wright takes first step in halting oversize charges ROCKLAND, Mass. -- Oversize charges will be eliminated by men's footwear manufacturer, E.T. Wright & Co. Inc., marking the company as the first supplier to adopt the overcharge resolution...

British Knights quadruples ad $. (athletic shoe manufacturer)
March 13, 1989... British Knights quadruples ad $ NEW YORK -- British Knights will spend $7.5 million this year to expand the scope of its marketing efforts with an upbeat campaign that reaches across age, gender and ethnic groupings. The effort is almost...

Quabaug pioneers in branded footwear ad tie-ins. (athletic shoe sole manufacturer)
March 13, 1989... Quabaug pioneers in branded footwear ad tie-ins NORTH BROOKFIELD, Mass. -- Quabaug Corp., athletic shoe sole manufacturer, contends it has become the first athletic footwear component maker to promote itself through extensive branded footwear...

Easter sales signal neon is on the beam. (Back to school '89 - children's footwear)
March 13, 1989... Easter sales signal neon is on the beam NEW YORK -- Brighter shades and neons have joined the traditional leaders black, white and pink as the hot colors for Easter is year, according to retailers interviewed by FN in a nationwide survey. ...

Children's prices, styles scaling upward. (Back to school '89 - children's footwear)
March 13, 1989... Children's prices, styles scaling upward NEW YORK -- Significant price, style and consumer purchasing trends are occuring in the children's shoe industry as the market gets more competitive and upscale. These are some of the findings of...

Irix to make Mrs. Taki's accessories. (Back to school '89 - children's footwear)
March 13, 1989... Irix to make Mrs. Taki's accessories NEW YORK -- Mothers looking for an upscale, total look for their children may no longer have to mix and match colors and fabrics to achieve it. Mrs. Taki's Kids, a ready-to-wear company offering designer...

Shoe execs see U.S. Shoe deal in positive light. (US Shoe Corp)
March 6, 1989... Shoe execs see U.S. Shoe deal in positive light NEW YORK -- Footwear executives generally gave a thumbs up sign to the proposed sale of U.S. Shoe Corp.'s footwear division, contending the creation of a large privately owned branded company is...

Exports of U.S. shoes to Italy double in '88.
March 6, 1989... Exports of U.S. shoes to Italy double in '88 MILAN (FNS) -- Exports of American-made footwear to Italy skyrocketed last year, more than doubling in quantity from 1987, according to ANCI, the Italian footwear manufacturers association. ...

U.S. Shoe will tap its footwear roots.
March 6, 1989... U.S. Shoe will tap its footwear roots CINCINNATI -- "We're returning to our roots as a shoe company." That comment by Howard Platt, president of footwear wholesaling and retailing, U.S. Shoe Corp., in an interview at the company's...

U.S. branded athletics still grow in Europe.
March 6, 1989... U.S. branded athletics still grow in Europe MUNICH, West Germany (FNS) -- Sales of American branded athletic footwear are continuing to grow in Western Europe and other foreign markets, with more and more new brands challenging Adidas, Puma and...

Adidas mulls acquisition of casual maker.
March 6, 1989... Adidas mulls acqusition of casual maker MUNICH, West Germany (FNS) -- The management of Adidas is discussing "day and night" the possible acquisition of other companies and brands in niche markets that the group does not cover, according to...

MICAM buyers note styles echo trends of U.S. shows. (footwear exhibition, Italy)
March 6, 1989... MICAM buyers note styles echo trends of U.S. shows BOLOGNA -- Buyers at the MICAM show, which opened last Thursday, witnessed a continuation of styles featured at the recent footwear shows in the U.S. Women's styling continued to range from...

Brown Group qtr. ends up in red; cite sale of stores. (shoe stores)
March 6, 1989... Brown Group qtr. ends up in red; cite sale of stores ST. LOUIS (FNS) -- An $18 million charge from the disposal of three of its specialty store operations pushed Brown Group Inc. into the red in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 28. For the...

Court OKs Frost sale of Delman name at $55,000. (clothing stores)
March 6, 1989... Court OKs Frost sale of Delman name at $55,000 NEW YORK (FNS) -- Frost Bros. Inc. received bankruptcy court approval last week to sell its Delman and Delmanette trade names for $55,000 to Larry Silverstein, who bought Frost's I. Miller...

Genesco retail shoe div. quarter profit advances.
March 6, 1989... Genesco retail shoe div. quarter profit advances NASHVILLE (FNS) -- Fourth-quarter operating earnings at Genesco Inc.'s retail footwear division advanced 40.5 percent, while operating earnings in the company's wholesale footwear divisions fell...

Ewing joins Phoenix team. (athlete Patrick Ewing, Phoenix Sports Inc., athletic shoe manufacturer)
March 6, 1989... Ewing joins Phoenix team PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- At a time when several other athletic footwear companies are moving away from investing in superstar athletes to promote products, Phoenix Sports Inc., a new branded athletic shoe company targeted...

Robin Smith gets Mizuno general manager post. (sporting goods manufacturer)
March 6, 1989... Robin Smith gets Mizuno general manager post BURLINGAME, Calif. -- Robin Smith, formerly general manager for Donner Active Footwear, San Rafael, has been named general manager for the newly reorganized Mizuno Sports Inc. The company recently...

AT&T ads tell how TU benefits from 800 number. (Toddler University, children's shoe manufacturer)
March 6, 1989... AT&T ads tell how TU benefits from 800 number WESTPORT, Conn. -- Keep your television sets tuned for Toddler University (TU). TU, the current subject of a nationwide American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) commercial, has proven that being a...

Timberland has lowered its earnings estimates. (footwear manufacturer)
March 6, 1989... Timberland has lowered its earnings estimates HAMPTON, N.H. (FNS) -- Timberland Co.has lowered its earnings estimates for the 1988 fourth quarter and year. Specific figures were not provided. The stock closed last Thursday at 9 3/4, up...