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Skechers

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 13 min
For the song, see Skechers (song).
Skechers USA, Inc.
Company typePublic
IndustryClothing
Founded1992; 32 years ago (1992)
FounderRobert Greenberg
Headquarters
Manhattan Beach, California
,
U.S.
Number of locations
5,267 (2024)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Products
RevenueIncrease US$8 billion (2023)
Increase US$784.8 million (2023)
Increase US$545.8 million (2023)
Total assetsIncrease US$7.9 billion (2024)
Number of employees
≈ 17,900 (2023)
Websitewww.skechers.com
Footnotes / references
[1][2]

Skechers USA, Inc. is an American multinational footwear and apparel company. Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, it was founded in 1992 and is the third largest footwear brand in the United States.

History

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A store in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Skechers was founded in 1992 by Robert Greenberg, who had previously founded LA Gear in 1983 (he stepped down as CEO of that company the same year he founded Skechers). Greenberg sought to focus on men's street shoes; Skechers' early products were utility-style boots popular in grunge fashion.[3] The company quickly expanded to include women and children, with casual and athletic styles, and went public in 1999.[4][5] In 2011, Skechers launched its performance sportswear line for athletes and signed Meb Keflezighi as a spokesman.[6]

Skechers is the third largest footwear brand in the United States by revenue.[7][8] In January 2019, the company started an expansion of its corporate headquarters to double its office, design and showroom space in the South Bay.[9] In 2023, Skechers had its debut on the Fortune 500.[10]

Litigation

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In 2012, Skechers agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $40 million based on a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint that it had misled customers with its Shape-Ups rocker bottom shoe ads.[11] In 2019, Nike filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Skechers because, according to Nike, Skechers had infringed on the design of their VaporMax and Air Max 270 sneakers.[12]

Forced labor investigation

[edit]
Further information: Persecution of Uyghurs in China

In 2021, French prosecutors launched an investigation into whether Skechers and other brands had concealed or profited from forced Uyghur labor.[13][14] A December 2023 report by Sheffield Hallam University again found connections to forced Uyghur labor.[15] Skechers has found no evidence of forced labor taking place.[16][17] In September 2024, Skechers opened a store in Ürümqi, Xinjiang amid criticism from the Worker Rights Consortium.[18]

Products and advertising

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Skechers designs, develops and markets a range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for adults and children. Its brands include Skechers Sport, Slip-ins, D'Lites, the charity line Bobs, Mark Nason, Skechers Work, Go Walk, Go Run, and Go Golf.[1] Since 2020, select shoes have utilized Goodyear rubber.[19]

Skechers has promoted its products with musicians including Ringo Starr, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Snoop Dogg;[20] television personalities Martha Stewart, Brooke Burke, and Amanda Kloots; baseball player Clayton Kershaw and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard; and American football players Tony Romo, Howie Long, and Cris Carter.[21] Since 2010, Skechers has been a regular Super Bowl advertiser.[22]

On March 1, 2019, Skechers launched a print and digital comparative advertising campaign titled "Just Blew It" to highlight the Zion Williamson failed shoe incident with rival Nike.[23]

Skechers has been a partner of W Racing Team (WRT) in sports car racing, including former MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, since 2021. WRT's parent company, Weerts Group, services Skechers' European distribution center in Liège, Belgium.[24]

Skechers Performance has featured distance runner Meb Keflezighi and professional golfers Brooke Henderson and Matt Fitzpatrick.[6][21] The brand expanded into pickleball in 2022, signing several of the sport's top players and sponsoring the first nationally televised pickleball tournament in the U.S.[25] In 2023, Skechers announced a move into soccer and basketball, introducing new technical shoes worn and promoted by England national football team player Harry Kane and NBA players Julius Randle, Terance Mann, and Joel Embiid.[26] In 2024, Skechers replaced Nivia Sports as the kit sponsor of one of India's oldest and most successful football teams, Mohun Bagan Super Giant.[27]

Philanthropy

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Skechers launched its Skechers Foundation in 2010. Skechers and the Friendship Foundation host an annual walk in Manhattan Beach to raise money for a nonprofit that helps connect special-needs students with their peers.[29][30]

Skechers donates new shoes to children in need worldwide through its Bobs charity program. The shoes support Head Start programs, education foundations, homeless shelters, disaster relief and 501(c)(3) organizations.[31] Bobs also supports animal welfare groups including Petco Love and Woodgreen Pets Charity.[32]

Entertainment

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Skechers has developed—with MoonScoop Entertainment and animator/co-producer John Massé—an animated series, Zevo-3, and several direct-to-DVD features produced by SD Entertainment:[33]

  • Hydee and the Hytops: The Movie (2011)[33]
  • Twinkle Toes (2012)[34]
  • Twinkle Toes Lights Up New York (2016)[34]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Form 10-K" (PDF). Skechers U.S.A., Inc. 2024-02-28. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  2. ^ "Skechers Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Board Authorized $1 Billion Share Repurchase Program". Skechers U.S.A., Inc. July 25, 2024. Archived from the original on July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Bettner, Jill (October 26, 1993). "Robert Greenberg, founder of L.A. Gear, has launched a company that's building sales from the popularity of trendy 'Doc' Martens". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  4. ^ Grant, Tina (February 14, 2000). International Directory of Company Histories. Vol. 31. Detroit, Michigan: St. James Press. ISBN 978-1-55862-390-3. OL 8607051M. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Funding Universe.
  5. ^ Trivedi, Kruti (2000-07-18). "Trying a New Shoe on for Size; Can Owners of Skechers Learn From Their Mistakes?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  6. ^ a b Boren, Cindy (April 22, 2014). "Skechers beats Nike in Boston Marathon". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2023-01-05. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  7. ^ "US Athletic Footwear Market Report". NPD Group. February 6, 2018. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  8. ^ Goddiess, Samantha (Aug 22, 2022). "The 10 Largest Shoe Brands In The United States". Zippia. Archived from the original on 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  9. ^ Carballo, Charlie (2019-01-14). "Skechers Plans to Grow Talent, Categories After Breaking Ground on Corporate Office Expansion". Footwear News. Archived from the original on 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  10. ^ Ciment, Shoshy (2023-06-05). "Lululemon and Skechers Join Fortune 500 List as Female CEOs Prove Staying Power". Footwear News. Archived from the original on 2023-06-25. Retrieved 2023-06-25.
  11. ^ Dina Elboghdady (2012-05-16). "Skechers agrees to $40 million settlement for claims about shoes' benefits". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-05-21. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
  12. ^ Kish, Matthew (October 4, 2019). "Nike again sues Skechers over alleged knockoff sneakers". Portland Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  13. ^ Paton, Elizabeth; Gallois, Léontine; Breeden, Aurelien (2021-07-02). "Fashion Retailers Face Inquiry Over Suspected Ties to Forced Labor in China". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  14. ^ Henley, Jon (July 2, 2021). "France investigates fashion brands over forced Uyghur labour claims". The Guardian. Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  15. ^ "Tailoring Responsibility: Tracing Apparel Supply Chains from the Uyghur Region to Europe" (PDF). Uyghur Rights Monitor, the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice at Sheffield Hallam University, and the Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights. December 2023. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  16. ^ Chua, Jasmin Malik (2021-04-19). "Inditex, Uniqlo, Skechers Battle Forced Labor Allegations". Sourcing Journal. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
  17. ^ "Tailoring Responsibility: Annex A Corporate Responses" (PDF). Uyghur Rights Monitor, the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice at Sheffield Hallam University, and the Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights. December 2023. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2024-03-30. ...you are incorrect to allege that Skechers is "at risk of importing textile and/or apparel goods made wholly or in part in Xinjiang" – an allegation for which you provided no evidence.
  18. ^ Kashgar, Kasim (2024-10-08). "Skechers opens store in Xinjiang amid scrutiny over Uyghur forced labor sanctions". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  19. ^ Goist, Robin (2020-02-27). "Skechers partners with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. on line of sneakers". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  20. ^ Ng, Kate (2023-06-15). "The Rolling Stones launches trainer collaboration with Skechers". The Independent. ISSN 1741-9743. Archived from the original on 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  21. ^ a b Garner, Stephen (2022-03-28). "Martha Stewart Lands Another Shoe Gig as a Skechers Ambassador". Footwear News. Archived from the original on 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  22. ^ Bell, Jennie (2023-02-07). "Skechers & Snoop Dogg Get Sky-High in Super Bowl 2023 Ad". Footwear News. Archived from the original on 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  23. ^ Chochrek, Ella (2 March 2019). "Skechers Takes a Direct Hit at Nike's Shoe Explosion Incident With New Ad". Footwear News. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  24. ^ Clay, Jennifer (17 March 2022). "Skechers Expands Sponsorship With Team WRT in Second Year of High-Speed Deal" (Press release). Los Angeles: Skechers USA, Inc. Business Wire. Archived from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  25. ^ Chen, I-Chun (Aug 9, 2022). "Skechers sponsoring nationally televised professional pickleball tournament". L.A. Business First. Archived from the original on 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  26. ^ Ciment, Shoshy (2024-07-26). "Skechers Says Push Into Performance Athletic Will Convert More Consumers". Footwear News. Archived from the original on 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  27. ^ "Skechers is going to Mohun Bagan's Official Kit Sponsor for the upcoming season 2024/25". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  28. ^ Mack, Gordon (September 6, 2017). "Edward Cheserek Signs With Skechers". Flotrack. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
  29. ^ "About the Walk". SKECHERS Friendship Walk. Archived from the original on 2020-05-26. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  30. ^ "Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk funds special student relationships". Daily Breeze. 2017-10-28. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  31. ^ Polk, Andy (8 October 2020). "BOBS From Skechers Footwear Donations Surpass 16 Million Pairs". FDRA. Archived from the original on 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  32. ^ Stabile, Angelica (2022-11-02). "BOBS from Skechers donates to North American animal shelters with every purchase". Fox Business. Archived from the original on 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2022-11-24.
  33. ^ a b Keslassy, Elsa (2010-04-20). "Skechers makes strides into film". Variety. Archived from the original on 2022-03-23. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  34. ^ a b "Twinkle Toes Franchise Box Office History". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2022-03-19. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
[edit]
  • Media related to Skechers at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official website (consumer)
  • Official website (corporate)
  • Business data for Skechers:
Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 | Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skechers
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