Shoe-In

In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Marshall, Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Social Impact at PUMA, to explore her dynamic career journey. Michelle shares her experiences and offers valuable insights into creating environments where everyone feels empowered and valued, highlighting why staying committed to fostering belonging is essential for brands. With special guest: Michel...

Matt, Andy, and Thomas unpack the opening trade actions by President Trump and his team at the start of his second administration. In this episode, the guys dive into the flurry of executive orders, tariff announcements, and the administration's calculated moves on trade, energy, and immigration. This episode will help you stay informed, engaged, and ready for what's ahead in U.S. trade strategy....

This week on Shoe-In, Bernice VanBuhler, head of the Chicago Shoe Market, joins Matt and Sandi to share the latest updates and highlights about this prominent regional shoe show based in the Windy City. The trio delves into the importance of regional trade shows, the triumphs and challenges faced by the industry during the COVID era, and emerging trends for 2025. Tune in to hear Bernice's unique j...

This episode looks at footwear inventory levels and discusses the various issues of footwear inventory management from supply chain disruptions to possible tariffs. An important discussion on how our industry must balance supply, demand and innovation! With special guest: Gary Raines, Economist, FDRA Hosted by: Andy Polk and Matt Priest

The entire FDRA Team is back to share their 2025 predictions, resolutions, and thoughts on the upcoming New Year. Listen in as Matt, Andy, Thomas, Sandi, Sabria, Jolie, Gary, and Ashley all join in on the fun of predicting what will definitely be an exciting and impactful year. With special guests: Team FDRA

Checking In With Footwear Product Pro JP Trudeau With Wolverine Worldwide!!! In the most downloaded episode of Shoe-In in 2024, Matt and Andy welcome Jon Paul Trudeau, the Vice President of Product Operations at Wolverine Worldwide. Checking in from Hong Kong, JP discusses his journey from rock star drummer to footwear design and development pro, and the importance of focusing on product and innov...

Fresh off the heels of Team FDRA's year-end meetings, listen in as all eight team members gather to review the highs and lows of the organization's 81st year. For the first time in the nine-year history of the Shoe-In Show, the entire team joins together to unpack the many wins and few losses in what has been FDRA's most relevant and impactful year yet. With special guests: Team FDRA

The man, the myth, the legend—Dr. D'Wayne Edwards—is back on Shoe-In to discuss his groundbreaking partnership with Target. As the designer of the affordable Unos by SZ shoe, Dr. Edwards highlights the shoe's unique, patented Z-shaped outsole design, which provides adjustable sizing and enhanced comfort. A key advantage of this project is its business-driven design, which addresses inventory and s...

This week Matt Priest welcomes Matt Thwaites, Vice President and General Manager of OrthoLite's innovative subsidiary, Cirql™.  The innovation company recently unveiled its latest foam innovation for footwear brands called Cirql Zero, which is an industrially compostable, biodegradable foam for midsoles. With a commitment to keeping shoes out of landfills, Cirql now offers footwear brands comprehe...

Listen in as Matt and Andy review the results of FDRA's 2024 Holiday Shoe Sales Forecast. An annual holiday tradition, FDRA carefully curated the current plans of America's shoe shoppers between now and Christmas Day. Access those plans and plenty of critical insights here . Hosted by: Matt Priest and Andy Polk

In this episode of the world's greatest shoe business podcast, Matt Priest and Sandi Mines present the upcoming FFANY MARKET TREND WATCH with style influencers, Kendall Becker, a Fashion and Beauty Director, and Nikara Johns, senior editor at Footwear News who delve into the predicted trends for both women's and men's footwear for 2025. Topics include the resurgence of the loafer and Mary Janes, t...

This week, Matt and Sandi welcome Jerry Breig, Chief Operating Officer of Mykos and LaMO Sheepskin, to Shoe-In. Jerry shares his incredible journey in the footwear industry, which began at a Southern California skate shop in the '90s, and eventually led to a 13-year career at LaMO Sheepskin. He also discusses the launch of Mykos, an exciting new brand focused on travel, adventure, and outfitting c...

Shawn Osborne, President & CEO of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation, joins Matt for a conversation between friends about the legacy and impact of the 85 year old charitable foundation. Two Ten provides resources and support to those in need in the footwear industry. From hurricane relief to academic scholarships to support to those displaced, Two Ten is a unique and impactful organization serving sh...

Jason Robinson, CEO and founder of Evoco, and Liz Rogers, former VP of sustainable product at Nike, join us for a discussion on the transformation of the footwear industry as new innovative materials are finding their way into shoes. We cover the realities brands are facing with economic constraints on innovation, but the need to keep moving forward due to regulations. We also talk about sustainab...

In this week's Shoe-In Show Matt Field, Co-Founder and President of MakerSights, stops by to discuss realtime trends in the running shoe space with Matt Priest. Did you know 20% of runners laced up for the first time to run in the last six months? Fresh off the press is a critical market report from MakerSights unpacking the mind of the runner. Tune in to hear Matt's insights and access the MakerS...

It's Shoes for a Cure Charity Shoe Sale week in New York and Sandi and Matt are here to give you all the details you need to make a difference. Our goal is to raise $1M for critical breast cancer research and we need your help to make that happen. Go to shoesforacure.org or join us for the sale at Chelsea Market! Details below: CHELSEA MARKET - 75 9TH AVENUE - NYC WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23 • 11 am – 6...

Shikha Jain, Partner at Simon-Kucher, joins us to shed some light on footwear marketplace issues and consumer trends as we start to head into the holidays and 2025. She recently published a study showing shoe consumers have an increasing price sensitivity due to the current economic climate, leading to fewer and more budget-conscious purchases. We also discuss 2 other major trends that will impact...

We went back in our catalogue and found a gem featuring Jean-Luc Diard, founder of now mega-brand Hoka One One. Worth a listen again or for the first time - you'll learn a lot about innovation and hear the exclusive story behind how Hoka was created! With special guest: Jean-Luc Diard, Hoka/Deckers Brands Hosted by: Andy Polk and Matt Priest

Matt and Andy welcome FDRA Chief Economist Gary Raines to Shoe-In to discuss the latest on the Shoeconomy. Gary breaks down the impact the Federal Reserve's recent rate cut will have on shoe companies and footwear consumers alike. With special guest: Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA Hosted by: Matt Priest and Andy Polk

In the latest episode of The Shoe-In Show, we explore the changing landscape of the Brazilian footwear industry. Our guests, Karin Becker and Christian Thomas from Pacto Calçadista in Brazil, share insights on how footwear trends are evolving. We discuss how Brazilian footwear companies are repositioning themselves, focusing on quality, innovative designs, and shorter lead times. This refreshing a...

Matt, Andy, and Thomas unpack key takeaways from last week's presidential debate, particularly as it relates to trade and tariff policies. Listen in to get exclusive political insights from your resident footwear industry experts on the current dynamics of the race and any impacts the debate may (or may not have) had on voters. With special guests: Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA, Andy Polk, Se...

This week on Shoe-In, Matt and Thomas welcome footwear industry innovator Elias Stahl, CEO and cofounder of Hilos. Exploring his unconventional entrance into the industry via software and supply chain management, Elias reveals his vision for delivering on-demand, zero-waste footwear that both mitigates industry waste and reconnects us to craft. You'll also hear a discussion on how advancements in...

On this special Labor Day edition of Shoe-In, JP Stevenson, Head of Market Development, EIQ at LRQA, joins Matt and Thomas to discuss all the latest trends around supply chain visibility and complying with emerging forced labor regulations. Listen in to discover insights from LRQA's comprehensive footwear factory audit data and steps global footwear brands are taking to ensure compliant supply cha...

Straight from the Netherlands, Peter Erren joins us to share some of the challenges facing the EU marketplace today. We cover how brands and retailers are dealing with extending shipping timelines, and the mold issues it is causing, managing inventories and changing consumers. Peter shares some key insights on solutions provided by his company in mitigating quality issues and adapting to these cha...

This week on Shoe-In Show listen in as Dr. Fernando Pena, an orthopedic surgeon and co-founder of Julieta Barcelona, offers his unique approach to designing shoes. Arising from Fernando's wife's struggle to find fashionable yet comfortable shoes, this emerging shoe brand was founded to provide a pain-free option for fashionable and professional women. With Fernando's medical background he has a di...