On average, Americans own four pairs of shoes, with Maine, Wisconsin, and Arizona standing out as the biggest footwear enthusiasts, each boasting 21+ pairs. Regarding shopping preferences, 40% of Americans exclusively shop online, while 60% prefer traditional brick-and-mortar stores. The state-by-state breakdown provides a fascinating glimpse into the diverse shopping habits across the nation.


KURU Footwear's survey paints a vivid picture of Americans' diverse shoe preferences, emphasizing the universal appeal of sneakers and the unwavering prioritization of comfort in footwear choices.

With a track record of over 15 million satisfied customers and 30 million pairs sold, Dream Pairs consistently ranks as the #1 seller in various categories on Amazon. From heel sandals to hiking shoes, the brand offers a versatile selection of styles, ensuring customers look great for every occasion.

As part of Dream Pairs' strategic expansion, the company aims to open 20 stores in the US alone by the end of 2024. This offline expansion complements the brand's strong online presence on platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, Shein, Nordstrom Rack, and its official website.

Under the umbrella of Miracle Miles Footwear Group Inc., Dream Pairs attracted significant attention and investment, closing a $100 million Series A funding round in June 2022. Led by prominent investors IDG Capital and Sequoia Capital China, this funding accelerates Dream Pairs' retail and wholesale distribution expansion, showcasing investor confidence in the brand's potential.

For more details about Dream Pairs and the grand opening of the Bay Plaza store, visit www.dreampairshoes.com. Step into style, comfort, and affordability with Dream Pairs, where every pair tells a story.

"We're excited to embrace the southwestern trend and bring it to our customers in a new and fresh way," said Jerry Breig, COO of LâMO. "We've worked hard to create styles that are not only comfortable but also stylish and trendy. We believe that these shoes will become classics that people will love to wear for years to come."

Overall, LâMO's new southwestern-inspired collection is a must-have for anyone looking for stylish and comfortable footwear. With their commitment to quality and comfort, it's no wonder that LâMO is a beloved brand for many worldwide.

Like what you see?  You can shop LâMO's new multi SS23 and FW23 styles at www.lamofootwear.com. 

From Kylie Jenner to popular Crocs shoes, TikTok is an incredibly popular launching pad for fashion clothing, accessories, and shoes. In 2021, the platform generated millions of views for major designers and fashion events.

Although 41% of buyers thought they would love their purchase, 30% were neutral but suffered buyer's remorse down the road. This indicates that fashion creators still have work to do when it comes to properly targeting their online audiences.

TikTok and Global Fashion Trends

Y2K fashions hit TikTok hard and ended up becoming a global fashion trend. For example, the hashtag #Y2KFashion has exceeded 58 million hits. As a result of TikTok's growing popularity, brands such as Von Dutch revived their brands and pumped out trendy track sets and other items popularized two decades ago. And, the more TikTok influencers who wore a look, the more these items sold. So, just how much money is up for grabs in online fashion? Well, in 2021, fashion accessories such as watches and jewelry had an online market of $7.6 billion in the US.

TikTok is a Chinese media platform owned by ByteDance. The platform offers innovative features that creators love. It has offered shoppable ads for a while, but it also allows users to add links. Many of the links currently go to Amazon products, but ByteDance will likely expand its marketing efforts to include direct relationships with brands.

TikTok Marketing Example: Crocs

Crocs are one brand that is embracing the power of TikTok culture. They launched a #ThousandDollarCrocs challenge that allows online shoppers to customize their Crocs. The brand slogan is "Come As You Are," and digital personalization fits right into that idea. With influencers such as rapper Post Malone penning and rapping lyrics for the brand, the campaign launched billions of views.

It's no secret that Generation Z, the youngest generation now in college, has embraced TikTok as the social media platform of their generation. However, brands are just now capitalizing on this younger market, some of whom are getting their first jobs and generating disposable income to buy shoes and other fashion items.

Both established brands and newcomers in the fashion industry will have to pay close attention to their brand presence on TikTok if they want to reach cash-rich Gen Z shoppers. The platform is likely to generate new ways to inspire creativity, add value and create a rich community for influencers and shoppers to meet. At the end of the day, TikTok has made shopping and participating in online social media fun, cool and sexy again. Combining that power with the hottest fashions seems like an inevitable marriage of kindred souls.

In order for brands to capitalize on this market, they'll need to understand the rules of the community and the ethos of the culture it reflects. So, the question is how much power can your brand punch in a six-second video that showcases your latest fashion collection, watches, jewelry, or shoes.

Don't Forget About Shipping

Before setting prices for shoes and other brands you offer through TikTok or other social media, it's important to understand the cost of shipping. Selling in bulk and dealing with local vendors can save you money. For example, a common TEU container ships 3,500 shoe boxes. Did you know that a 40ft high cube ships 8,000 shoe boxes? So, whether you're importing or exporting shoes from and to other countries, it's important to research the most cost-effective shipping options to get fast fashion into the hands of online consumers.

Check out our popular and informative Shoeography to find out what's new in shoes!

 

Denim anything is an iconic classic, so continually adding it to your wardrobe is a must. We're looking forward to the transitional season with a very chic and extremely affordable pair of denim footwear to add to your wardrobe. Feast your eyes on the JustFab Raquell Slingback Pump. This stunning pair of two tone denim-on-denim slingbacks is exactly what you need as we head into the fall season. The medium and dark heels boasts a slightly elevated vamp, pointed toe and a thick 4" denim-covered block heel. They run slightly small, so we recommend sizing up a bit. 

We promise you won't be disappointed, especially with a $59.95 price tag. Get it now on www.justfab.com.

 

I know it might not seem like the time to go shoe shopping (we know you don't leave the house much these days) but it is actually the perfect time to snag some lovely new footwear. Remember, no matter how much weight you put on, your shoes will always fit. Unlike clothes, shoes don't punish for you for indulging a bit. We recommend you start with the PNKElephant Icconic Studded Slides. Proving that there is nothing basic about classic black, this modern slipper/sandal hybrid gets an edgy update of hardware. Known for it's oversized bow at the toe, the Icconic Slides grabs all the attention. A square toe and makes this flat shoe even more contemporary.

 Officially dropping August 10th, you can pre-order these now for the intro price of $73.95 (they are normally $87.00) on www.peblair.com.

Although the idea of wearing anything in these high temperatures may be the last thing on your mind, we couldn't help but fawn over these stunning ankle booties. We're happy to say they are made for this weather. You see, the Voyette Latoy Ankle Boots feature a mesh upper with leather trim, so there's lots of breathability. These gorgeous nude darlings are draped oh-so-chicly and adored with a bejeweled brooch and boasts a statuesque 4 1/2" heel. To claim your own, head over to www.voyette.com and pick these up for $299.99.

American companies of all shapes and sizes base their operations in different countries around the world. Whether it's a small company selling embroidered patches that are effective in marketing a business's corporate identity or a large corporation that has retail locations in every state, reshoring allows companies to find diverse talent while cutting costs. The footwear industry is no exception to this trend, with manufacturers for major brands spread across various continents.

Although it is a relatively small country, the Dominican Republic is attracting many American footwear companies looking to reshore. In fact, the DR is a top 10 footwear exporter to the United States. In 2018, the U.S. was the DR's most important export trading partner of footwear and had an export value of about $253 million.

This popularity is made possible by the Dominican Republic Free Zones, a globally-recognized network of 74 free trade zones. The DR Free Zones were intentionally designed to improve business productivity, scale targeted industry sectors, and reduce global business barriers. As the DR Free Zones celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, the network has certainly seen success in its goals.

Footwear companies have been particularly successful, especially after the President of the DR created the National Footwear Commission in 2014. This organization helps footwear brands by focusing on supply chain development, the promotion of exports, and strengthening training programs. American retailers deal with about $44 million in inventory shrink, according to statistics from the National Retail Security Survey, but footwear companies that manufacture in the DR Free Zones don't have to worry about lapses in communication that can lead to inventory shrink. When companies reshore to the Dominican Republic's Free Zones, they benefit from high-quality connectivity as well as tax incentives, government support, and the country's political stability.

Global footwear brands that have operations in the DR Free Zones include Timberland, Sperry, Vans, and Allen Edmonds. These brands and others have seen success because of the highly competitive local supply chain that has had an increased capacity for producing most of the raw materials and components manufacturers of footwear and leather products require. The workforce in the DR Free Zones also have a significant amount of skills and specific knowledge when it comes to high-end leather shoes for European and American markets.

While the footwear industry is a major part of the DR Free Zones, other industry sectors have found success there too. From electronics and medical devices to textiles and jewelry, a wide range of sectors rely on the DR Free Zones for their manufacturing needs. The DR Free Zones also provide outsourcing services, such as Business Process Outsourcing and Contact Centers, contributing to a managed services market that was projected to reach $170 billion worldwide by 2019. This service has been particularly helpful for American companies looking to reduce costs and maintain quality, as the DR has a highly skilled workforce and is geographically close to the United States.

As a small country with an impressive incentive structure and vibrant community, the Dominican Republic is proving to be a place that can make things happen. Even if you don't know it, your favorite American footwear company may be relying on the DR Free Zones to get you high-quality shoes. By continuing to support these companies, you can help them and the people of the Dominican Republic prosper.

Today's shoe story might be a bit off our regularly scheduled footwear highlights but we promise it does have an interesting shoe story and connection.

The booze consuming world is always saturated with grin-inducing tales. The main difference between the smile-inducing stories and eye-roll-inducing ones is simply a matter of perspective. Patrons of alcohol serving establishments are wont to have their wits muddied by the various nectars of Bacchus, thus finding generally questionable antics utterly amusing. The people who work at those establishments have a very different outlook on any number of drink-fuelled tomfooleries.

Between 71% and 73% of Millennials regularly consume some manner of alcohol and, while most of the drinking population is totally fine, there are the mischievous rogues for whom establishment-specific rules are made. Hotels in the U.S. make $208 billion every year, but we don't hear about the amount of that money that goes toward, theft, damages, and the general carelessness that people unleash upon places that aren't their own. Quick answer? It's substantial.

Dulle Griet Picture: ©Arofex Facebook

In Belgium, some beer bars were having problems with patrons walking out with their beer glasses. In the United States, this might not seem like such a big deal, but in Belgium it is. Iced coffee and cold brew date back to 1600s Japan and 1800s Algeria, but Belgian beer predates both by a long shot, so they've had a lot of time to perfect it. Belgian beer is so famous across the world, tourists head to Belgium in droves to drink as much of the famed Belgian brews as they can. Which leads to mischief.
“All our beer glasses are protected against theft,” said Philip Maes. “Some of the glasses are manually crafted and therefore unique; some of the tourists are eager to have their own copy to bring back home as a trophy. Unfortunately, they prefer not to pay for the glass.”

Maes, owner of 2be in Bruges, reported that his bar loses somewhere around $4,000 in beer glasses every year to theft. The beer glasses, which many establishments have custom made for their own bars get expensive. With losses like that, Maes invested thousands of dollars in alarm systems that would be attached to every single beer glass. Still, that doesn't dissuade everyone from their tipsy thievery.

Another bar, Dulle Griet in Ghent, just takes your shoe instead. Yes, you read that correctly. If you want to sit down and have a beer there, you have to cough up one of your shoes. They put all collected shoes in a basket and suspend it from the ceiling. That's the only way you get a beer and the only way you get your shoe back is handing the glass back in. Instagram is packed with photos of people drinking beers with one shoe on. When you see the 1.r liter glasses and wooden stands that holds them upright, you'll understand why they want to protect them from theft.

“Anyone who drinks our house beer must hand over their shoe,” said Dulle Griet owner Alex De Vriendt said. “We then put them in a basket that we put up against the ceiling. The basket has now become an attraction, but for us, it remains a guarantee. The glasses are quite expensive because we have them made especially for us.”

He recognizes the method still doesn't keep all theft from happening and has seen an empty bar with shoes still in the basket, invariably signaling a one-shoed wanderer with an illegally procured souvenir drinking apparatus. Half of customers enter an establishment because of signage, but it was this unique anti-theft system that drew more people in. Its peculiarity attracted people to the establishment because nothing beats pairing a good beer with Instagram photos that tell fun stories.

Overall, De Vriendt seems to have a good sense of humor about it:

“We actually accept all kinds of shoes, but we realize that a flip-flop is not as valuable as the beer glass,” he said.

Be a polite patron and stick to buying your souvenirs.

You may remember our feature of the Holiday offerings of KidPik Subscription Box for Girls. We highlighted some of the amazing gift ideas and the wonderful range of fashionable shoes for girls sized 4-16. Well, we're back to sing the praises on their summer 2019 offerings.


You can start the girls in your life off with Kidpik basics like comfortable, versatile shoes, the hottest trending colors and shoe styles, and tailor those choices to what fits her style and personality. Check out a few of the must-have Kidpik footwear styles that will keep her fabulous all summer. Leather strap sandals are huge for summer and they go great with dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts and capris.


Fashionable sneakers continue to be a must-have and is a great style option for girls that are athletic and/or trend lovers; let her stand out in a sparkling or colorfully metallic pair. For her downtime, she'll look super cute in a furry pair of comfortable yet very chic slippers.


Celebrating your girl's style personality is so easy: tell Kidpik all about your girl (her favorite styles, colors, patterns and fashion looks) in their quiz. A Kidpik stylist will pick three fashionable head-to-toe, mix-&-match outfits for her; this includes 7 pieces of versatile high-quality clothing, shoes and accessories, coordinated and styled just for her and a free gift with your purchase. Simply return what you don't want in the pre-paid return envelope that's provided. What more can you ask for.

If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet for long hours, you should understand the importance of having comfortable footwear. While fashion is important too, having uncomfortable shoes can make being on your feet unbearable. This is especially true seeing as how an average adult takes 4,000 to 6,000 steps each day. So to help make sure your feet are as supported as possible, here are a few great tips to find comfortable shoes for work.


First off, when you go to try on shoes, you should always go in the afternoon or evening if possible. Your feet swell throughout the day and are at their biggest later in the day -- so by trying on shoes when your feet are at their biggest, you can ensure shoes won't pinch when your feet swell. Additionally, you should always be wearing the socks you wear to work when you try on shoes. If you wear thick socks for work but try shoes on while wearing thin socks, the shoes will be too tight when it comes time to wear them. All in all, it's important to be mindful of things like this when trying on shoes.


You should also be aware of the kind of arch your foot has. Some people are more flat-footed while others have very high arches. Your arch can determine what kind of shoes you should be wearing or what kind of soles you need. With the right arch support, you can relieve pressure in your feet, correct alignment issues, and help evenly spread the impact of your steps. So while it's certainly important to be aware of your shoe size -- even the width -- knowing your arches is just as important.
And speaking of shoe size, it's important to not rely solely on shoe sizes. Different shoes fit in varying ways, so it's crucial to base your choice on comfort rather than strictly on size. When you go shoe shopping, you should always have your feet measured by a staff member to give you a good starting point. But from there, you should go with what's comfortable. You may have to go up or down a size depending on the style and the fit of the shoe.

Comfortable shoes are important for employees like construction workers, athletic coaches, and medical professionals -- even though dentistry is considered one of the 10 most trusted professions, that doesn't mean dental staff has to forgo foot comfort. So no matter your profession, keep these easy tips in mind to ensure you'll always have comfortable shoes. This way, foot pain can be one less thing you'll have to worry about.

Written by Sammi Cohen

Israeli Designer Showcases 3D-Printed Sustainable Garments and Shoes

Today's customers are making environmentally friendly products a priority. In fact, one recent survey found that 70% of consumers were willing to spend more for eco-friendly furniture, with most saying they'd pay 20% more for that sustainability pledge. For many, it's not enough to fill one's home with green items; they also want to wear them. Sustainable fashion is becoming more mainstream both in the stores and on the runway. And now, many designers are combining technological prowess with a desire to protect the planet. Case in point: Israel's Ganit Goldstein, who continues to stun fashion lovers with her unique flair and affinity for 3D printing.


3D printers are now being used to make everything from construction-grade concrete to artificial limbs for both animals and humans. It also holds a lot of promise for alleviating world hunger. But this technology isn't all serious. It's also being utilized to create a plethora of products both useful and frivolous, including high fashion ensembles.

Goldstein, a recent graduate of Jerusalem's prestigious Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, has made headlines before -- but her career looks like it's really starting to take off. Her "Between the Layers" collection consists of seven full outfits and six pairs of shoes, all of which are 3D printed using thermoplastic polyurethane and polylactic acid. After being inspired by a study abroad opportunity in Japan, Goldstein created an innovative weaving process using her 3D printer and manual techniques.


Notably, Goldstein partnered with Intel to create an augmented reality app to illustrate her creative process. She also teamed up with Stratasys, a 3D printer brand, to develop her sky-high, woven shoes. The footwear is part art, part technology -- and all sustainable. They were first showcased with the collection during the Arts of Fashion Foundation's annual show, but they'll also be exhibited at the Internationale Handwerksmesse in Munich this spring.


Of her process, Goldstein explained that "working with the traditional methods, and combining them with new technology, is my vision and my inspiration for my future works." The designer feels that 3D-printed fashion "will change the way people design and wear clothes. 'Personalized, one-of-a-kind' pieces that are specifically created for one single person are the future of 3D-printed fashion."

Written by Molly

When it comes to clothing, shoes, and accessories, it can be all too easy to have an unorganized way of storing them. Unfortunately, unorganized clothing and shoes can impact your life more than you may realize. Did you know that according to the Daily Mail, people spend 3,680 hours, or 153 days, throughout their lifetime searching for misplaced items? So if you often find yourself looking for missing shoes, it may be time to reconsider your storage system. To help you have an easier time storing your shoes, here are a few organization tips to consider.

Before you get started on your reorganizing project, you should take the time to actually go through all of your shoes. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that the average American spends $1,800 each year on clothing, there's a good chance you have some old shoes you never wear. This is one of the biggest problems with storing shoes. When you have several pairs of shoes that you no longer wear, they simply get in the way. So start by going through all of your shoes and being honest with yourself about which pairs you can donate or throw away. This will already make it easier to organize your shoes.

After you've gone through your shoes and gotten rid of the pairs you no longer wear, it's time to sort them into categories. There should be two main categories you sort them into: shoes you wear all the time and shoes you wear only occasionally. This will help you organize them better because you'll be able to put the shoes you wear frequently in places that are easier to see and access. Once they're sorted into the two starting categories, feel free to sort them into further categories. Sneakers should go with sneakers, boots with boots, and so on. This will help you find what you're looking for even easier. Having shoes sorted into categories will allow you to know exactly where the type of shoe you're looking for is stored.

And lastly, it's time to choose your shoe storage solution. This is usually where people struggle most because there are what seems like endless options. The two main places shoes should be stored are in the bedroom closet and by the front door. If you have a closet or cubby space by the front door, consider putting the shoes you wear all the time there so you can put them on as you're heading out the door. And as for the bedroom closet, you have a few storage options. You should do whatever you can to keep shoes off the floor because they can end up in a big pile. Instead, consider tiered shoe racks or shoe cubbies. This will help your shoes fit below the clothes hanging in your closet but still keep them off the floor. If you have room for it, you can even store shoes in a hanging organizer on the back of the closet door. And if you simply have too many shoes to fit in the closet, consider adding a bookcase or a wire rack to a corner in your bedroom for additional storage space.
It can be quite difficult managing to keep everything organized in your home. And with the average U.S. household having 300,000 things in it, shoes are probably just a small portion of the organization problem. But by starting with these simple storage tips, you'll be on your way to a more organized house in no time.

We don't normally cover kids shoes but had to make an exception for the KidPik subscription box for girls. Mainly because it's an amazing gift idea and they have great, fashionably shoes young girls will love. For those not in the know, KidPick is the #1 clothing subscription box for girls sized 4-16. KiPik stylists' curate seven coordinated fashion pieces, including shoes so you can mix and match at least three outfits. It makes gifting, whether for holidays, birthdays, etc incredibly easy.


As with any subscription box, you take a quiz to find out about your girl's style, select whether you want a box every 1,2, or 3 months, get 3 fashionable mix and match outfits including fabulous shoes in her style, enjoy a 7-day home trial for her to pick her favorites and return the rest for free. If she loves them all, you can keep the entire box and save save 30%. We had the opportunity to check out this perfect gifting box and we warn you, it will immediately have you wishing for a little girl to dress up. Check out some of the on-trend looks (and of course the shoes) below:


KidPik offers a wide variety of girls shoes, no matter their personality. Below are just a few of the incredibly fashion shoes you can get from KidPik. Some of these styles are giving us adult shoe closet envy:



We're kind of obsessed with KidPik and we see lots of stylish options for our youngest niece. Could your little fashionista benefit from the stylish offerings from KidPik?

Two years ago we said our farewells to one of our favorite footwear brands as they moved offices and their retail location to the West Coast. For two years we missed heading to Soho to visit our shoe friends but it looks like they're paying us a visit. Join us in welcoming the United Nude sample sale back to NYC (albeit temporarily). See the full details of this wonderful shoe sale below:



Mark your calendars fellow shoe lovers and United Nude fanatics. Starting this Saturday, April 28th United Nude welcomes back their Super Sample Sale to NYC. Get there to shop collections past and present at up to 65% off! Expect shoes, bags, and accessories for men and women in all sizes.

When:
Begins Saturday, April 28th and run for the next three months
Mon - Sat: 11:00am to 7:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm to 6:00pm


Where:
6 Prince St. New York, NY 10012

It is true that in life, a little rain must fall, but it doesn't rain every day and soon we will be back to the sunshine. Of course you still have to be prepared for those rainy days, especially if there's some running around involved. Speaking of running, Nike is turning our heads with their Nike Roshe One Print Sneakers. Looking ever so stylish and zen, this dazzling patterned sneaker features a breathable upper (in the most hypnotizing print) and plush sockliner for all day comfortable, an OrthoLite sockliner for soft cushioning, an insole that mirrors a raked rock garden, a Phylon midsole for lightweight cushioning, and a durable Waffle pattern outsole, made to look like stepping stones, for traction.

While your feet will feel light as air, your wallet certainly won't. These White/Black/White/Black women's sneakers normally retail for $85.00, but www.Nike.com currently has them for only $59.97. We suggest you grab them now!!.