Shoe-In

Latest Episodes:

#418 Running Shoe Retail 2024: Key Shifts and Outlook Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

Michael McCauley, owner and operator at Fleet Feet, joins to share key insights into his running shoe store in Augusta, Georgia. We chat about the running brands best connecting consumers, the changing operations of their retail store, which includes extensive training for new employees, and lengthy customer service processes to find the perfect footwear and build a consumer profile. McCauley also shared insights on running retails evolution, noting how their customer base has shifted from 80% runners to 80% comfort and medical referrals.

With special guest:

Mike McCauley, Owner, Fleet Feet Augusta

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#417 Exploring the Shoe Industry's Transformation With Born's John Heron Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

Discover how the shoe industry is shifting and adapting in the light of changing economic trends and consumer behaviors in this episode. Special guest John Heron, President of the Born Brands Group at Berkshire Hathaway, shares his journey across the footwear sector, including his time at FFANY and Designer Brands. Gain unique insights into the significance of FFANY's New York market week, the shift towards women-led companies, and the evolution of consumers' tastes and preferences.

With special guest:

John Heron, President, Born Brands Group

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#416 Exploring the Hottest Shoe Brands Right Now Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

Jon Weber and Laura Brookhiser, from L.E.K. Consulting, join the show to share insights from their 2024 'Heat Index' report. The report explores what brands consumers desire the most by category and why. We discuss not only who's hot but why, and how companies can take key learnings from this report to build stronger brand loyalty.

With special guests:

Jon Weber, Managing Director at L.E.K. Consulting and Laura Brookhiser, Managing Director at L.E.K. Consulting

Hosted by:

Andy Polk

#415 Catching Up With Washington Shoe Company's Chief Karl Moehring Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Shoe-In, Matt and Andy welcome Karl Moehring, CEO of Washington Shoe Company to discuss his journey to footwear having been raised in a shoe family. He also touches on current footwear industry trends, the resilience of consumers in 2024, and fostering a dynamic workplace culture in the hybrid era.

With special guest:

Karl Moehring, CEO, Washington Shoe Company

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#414 Michael Kors' Jung Yoon to the Rescue Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Jung Yoon, Senior VP of Production and Sourcing for Accessories and Footwear at the iconic fashion brand Michael Kors, stopped by Shoe-In to discuss her fascinating career journey. From high-tech to apparel to footwear, Jung explores the complexities of shoe manufacturing, highlighting its multifaceted requirements involving comfort, engineering, technology, architecture, quality assurance, and fashion. Ultimately, Jung advocates for a broader understanding and appreciation of these complexities within the industry.

With special guest:

Jung Yoon, Senior VP of Production and Sourcing for Accessories and Footwear, Michael Kors

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

#413 Shoe Supply Chain Agility With Dan Friedman Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

On this week's Shoe-In, Caleres' Chief Sourcing Officer, Dan Friedman, stops by to explore the modern complexities of the footwear supply chain and the ways he's guiding Caleres through such an interesting sourcing landscape. Listen in to hear Dan's amazing shoe industry journey and his philosophy on company culture, the importance of agility, and his unique approach to decision-making, rooted in active listening and continuous learning.

With special guest:

Dan Friedman, Chief Sourcing Officer, Caleres

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#412 Rough Seas - Navigating the Red Sea Crisis With Pete Mento Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Supply chain expert extraordinaire Pete Mento stops by Shoe-In to discuss the latest developments in the Red Sea crisis and how the crisis is impacting the footwear supply chain. As a former Merchant Marine Officer himself, Pete holds no punches as he explains his expectations for the continuing crisis and what's in store for container pricing in the coming year. If you ship shoes anywhere in the world, you don't want to miss this conversation.

With special guest:

Pete Mento, Commercial Director, DSV

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

#411 2024 Shoe Market Predictions With Sam Poser Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

In the latest episode of Shoe-In, Matt and Sandi welcome the return of Sam Poser, an equity analyst with Williams Trading. Holding no punches, Sam discusses the continued dominance of comfort in design and delves into the importance of customer knowledge and proper product distribution in retail. Advocating for a 'less is more' approach, Sam offers insights into successful footwear brands, attributing their achievements to a combination of relevant, consistently refreshed products, and a profound understanding of their customer base.

With special guest:

Sam Poser, Equity Analyst, Williams Trading

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#410 Leading with Passion With Susan Itzkowitz Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Industry icon Susan Itzkowitz, president of Marc Fisher Footwear, stopped by Shoe-In to discuss her collaborative approach to leadership and the importance of empowering your team as a leader and mentor in our industry. Susan also explores her forecast for 2024 and the importance of building a culture that is collaborative, creative, and handles challenges head-on. Make sure you listen to this episode. You won't be disappointed!

With special guest:

Susan Itzkowitz, Marc Fisher Footwear

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

#409 Stepping Into Innovation: Kizik's Hands-Free Footwear Revolution Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

This week we are joined by Kizik CEO Monte Deere as he discusses the brand's atmospheric rise over the past few years. Monte also shares his journey into the footwear industry and explains how Kizik's revolutionary hands-free shoes are changing the way we think about fit and function. Tune in to hear Monte's key insights and big plans for his rapidly growing shoe brand.

With special guest:

Monte Deere, CEO, Kizik

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

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