Royer plans to cut 200 jobs
The loss of a major distribution contract for New Balance in France, the Benelux countries and Germany and the crisis linked to Covid-19 have led Groupe Royer of France to start discussions with its staff about the dismissal of about 200 of its 500 employees. The loss of the contract, ...
Merrell releases eco-friendly undyed line
Merrell’s new line, the Undyed Collection, has white, undyed uppers made of partially recycled mesh and outsoles made of natural rubber. According to the brand, when measured against factory-supplied averages, the Undyed Collection saves about 80 percent of the water and 50 percent of the energy expended in the production ...
Allbirds raises $100 million in funding round
Allbirds, the Californian brand of sustainable footwear, has closed a $100 million Series E funding round led by Franklin Templeton, alongside T. Rowe Price, Baillie Gifford, TDM Growth Partners, Rockefeller Capital Management and other investors.
TikTok ban suspended by U.S. judge
A federal judge, Carl Nichols, has decided to suspend an executive order issued by president Donald Trump that would have banned the Chinese video sharing app TikTok from being downloaded on mobile phones in the U.S. The ban was scheduled to start from Sept. 27.
Camper in collaboration with Tencel for sustainable collection
Camper has joined forces with Tencel, a brand of the Austrian chemical group Lenzing, to produce a shoe collection using sustainable Lyocell fibers. The Spanish-based company has redesigned its Right and Upright boot and bootie to include Lyocell fibres derived from sustainably-grown wood sources. For the collection, the fiber has ...
VRG reaches deal with creditors, to proceed with capital hike
The board of Venue Retail Group (VRG), a retailer of shoes, bags and accessories that operates in Sweden and Norway, has decided to proceed with a Swedish Krona 94.5 million (€8.9m-$10.4m) rights issue.
Brand reshuffle in the Brazilian footwear industry
An asset reshuffle involving three of Brazil’s leading footwear manufacturers will result in Grendene boosting its women’s collection, Vulcabras Azaleia focusing on sportswear and Alpargatas concentrating on its key brands, including Havaianas.
Sabu hires Zalando procurement manager
Sabu, the German shoe retailers’cooperative, has hired Johanna Ferner to fill the newly created position of head of purchasing fashion and accessories. The 44-year old will join the company on Oct. 1.
Alma FRC Group unit Débé takes over Tacco
Tacco Footcare, a German shoe-care producer, announced on its Facebook page that it has been acquired by the Belgian insole producer Débé, which in turn is owned by Alma FRC Group, a French manufacturer of shoe care and shoe accessory products.
Chanel issues €600 million in green bonds
The fashion house Chanel placed €600 million in sustainability-linked bonds, or green bonds, that will finance the achievement of carbon reduction targets outlined in its Mission 1.5° plan.
Sioux completes restructuring of wholesale division
Less than three months after filing for insolvency, Sioux GmbH successfully underwent a restructuring that will allow the wholesale business to remain part of Sioux Group.
Reebok to release a plant-based running shoe
In October, Reebok will be releasing the Forever Floatride Grow, a running shoe with uppers derived from eucalyptus trees, midsoles from sustainably cultivated castor beans, sock liners from bloom-algae foam and outsoles from plant rubber. According to Footwear News, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has conferred some sort of ...
Harald Neisser, industry veteran and former Rohde managing director, dies at 68
Shoe expert and industry insider Harald Neisser died on Sept. 20, after a serious illness. Serving most recently as a consultant for the German firm Erich Rohde, where he was previously managing director, Neisser was 68 years old.
Hong Kong’s LionRock reportedly enters Clarks bidding war
Iconic UK shoe retailer Clarks is reportedly the target of two suitors vying to take a stake in the troubled firm.
Goat, the sneaker reseller, is valued at $1.75 billion as it raises more funds
With the resale market being as hot as ever, no doubt due partly to the increasing role that the internet is playing, the U.S.-based Goat Group closed an additional Series E funding round $100 million, saying that it was intended to accelerate its development across product categories and geographies.
Ant Group debuts cross-border trade platform
Chinese fintech company Ant Group, part of e-commerce giant Alibaba, launched an international trade and financial service platform powered by its blockchain-based technology solution AntChain to facilitate the cross-border sale of products and services by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to reduce costs for financial institutions serving these companies.
Eram enters the second-hand market
Second-hand, or pre-owned, fashion is a growing trend in France, with brands such as Kiabi, Gémo and Jacadi all launching pre-owned clothing projects. Shoe and apparel retailer Eram has decided to join in, and has recently been testing several schemes offering second-hand fashion items in stores, both for shoes and ...
Footaction sponsors a reggaetón documentary
Footaction is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month – from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the U.S. – with a “platform” called La Música. It is in fact a short documentary, available online through social media, on four musicians of the reggaetón genre: Myke Towers, Brytiago, Arcangel and De La ...
Micam, sister fairs attract 16,000 buyers
The footwear trade show Micam Milano, along with four other events representing the Italian fashion industry and that overlapped over a five day-period at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition hall, attracted 16,000 buyers. The fairs united under the #strongertogether banner.
BIG buys Aldo U.K.
The U.K. arm of the Canadian footwear retailer Aldo Group has been acquired by Bushell Investment Group (BIG), which is based in Birmingham, England. BIG indicated that the acquisition, for which financial details were not released, will preserve 150 jobs and lead to the creation of an additional 50 roles ...