This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Article mostly focuses on situation in 2000s.(November 2024) |
Company type | Public |
---|---|
Industry |
|
Founded | 2002 |
Headquarters | Broomfield, Colorado, U.S. |
Key people | |
Products | Shoes |
Revenue | US$3.962B (2023) |
US$792 million (2023) | |
Total assets | US$4.64B (2023) |
Total equity | US$1.45B (2023) |
Number of employees | 4,000, including 3,000 in retail-related functions (2021) [3] |
Website | crocs |
Footnotes /references [4] |
Crocs, Inc. is an American footwear company based in Broomfield, Colorado, that manufactures and markets the Crocs brand of foam footwear. Crocs, Inc. term these "clogs", but they do not contain any wood like traditional clogs.
Scott Seamans, Lyndon "Duke" Hanson, and George Boedecker Jr founded Crocs in 2002 to make and distribute the sandals, as they saw its potential and ease of use for consumers. [5] [6]
The trio acquired Andrew Reddyhoff's design from Foam Creations, Inc. of Quebec City, which became the foundation of the Crocs sandals known in the present day. [7] [8] Seamans, Hanson, and Boedecker were drawn to the shoe's comfort and practicality.
In 2002, Crocs unveiled their first model, the Beach, at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida, and all 200 pairs produced sold out. [9]
As the demand for Crocs grew, the company underwent further development and rebranding. In 2005, TDA Boulder redesigned the original Crocs logo and launched the "Ugly Can Be Beautiful" campaign, the first national advertising campaign for the Crocs brand. This successful campaign, created by Creative Director Thomas Dooley, Designer Matt Ebbing, and Creative Director Jonathan Schoenberg, helped pave the way for Crocs' successful IPO.
On April 14, 2008, during the midst of the financial crisis of 2007–2008, the stock dropped 30% in after-hours trading after the company issued a press release in which they significantly decreased earnings estimates for the first quarter. In the same statement, they also said they would lay off its 600 Quebec City factory employees as retailers had been reducing orders, though about 100 sales and marketing positions would remain. "The retail environment in the U.S. has become increasingly challenging as consumer spending and traffic levels have slowed," chief executive officer Ron Snyder said. During the financial crisis, CROX dropped to as low as $0.79 before rebounding ($15.50 by November 2010). [10]
On July 21, 2010, Crocs Inc. announced a restructuring plan to streamline its operations and workforce by eliminating 180 jobs, closing 75 to 100 stores (out of 624 worldwide) as well as scrapping underperforming product lines. Crocs has previously eliminated 183 positions, including 70 current and planned positions in its corporate headquarters in Niwot, Colorado. Crocs also announced they would open a "global commercial center" with 50 to 75 employees in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2014, for merchandising, marketing and retail functions. [11]
On October 18, 2011, Crocs stock suffered a single-day drop of about 39.4% on lowered earnings and revenues forecast. [12]
In June 2013, Crocs reported a 42.5% decrease in net profits from a year before. As a result, the stock fell 20.2% in one day. [13]
In December 2013, the hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors disclosed that it held a 5% stake in Crocs, just over a day after The Blackstone Group said it would invest $200 million in a convertible preferred stock offering that would allow the company to replace its CEO and buy back $350 million in stock. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, SAC Capital management said it had accumulated a 5% passive stake in Crocs. [14]
Crocs had sold 300 million pairs of shoes by year 2017. [15] In August 2018, Crocs announced it was closing its last company-operated manufacturing plants in Mexico and Italy. [16] In June 2020, Crocs moved the headquarters from Niwot, Colorado, to Broomfield. [17]
In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company launched "A Free Pair for Healthcare" offering healthcare workers a free pair of their shoes. Crocs also sent 100,000 pairs of shoes to hospitals to be distributed to staff. [18]
In the years 2020 to 2022, Crocs experienced a surge in sales due to several factors. One reason for the brand's resurgence was a shift in consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people looking for footwear that they could wear while working from home. Additionally, Crocs benefited from collaborations with high-profile fashion designers and a marketing campaign that helped to revitalize the brand's image. As a result of these factors, Crocs' sales had a two-digit rise annually during this period. [19]
In October 2006, Crocs Inc. purchased Jibbitz, a manufacturer of accessories that snap into the holes in Crocs shoes, for $10 million, or $20 million if Jibbitz met earnings goals. [20]
In January 2007, Crocs acquired assets of Ocean Minded [21] for $1.75 million in cash, plus potentially $3.75 million based on performance. Ocean Minded makes leather and ethylene-vinyl acetate-based footwear. [22] In July 2007 Crocs agreed to buy shoe- and sandal-maker Bite Footwear, based in Redmond, Washington, for $1.75 million, or up to double that based on earnings results. [23]
In April 2008, Crocs acquired Tidal Trade, Inc. ("Tidal Trade"), the company's third-party distributor in South Africa, for $4.6 million. The company recorded $1.4 million in customer relationships on the date of acquisition. Crocs repurchased inventory previously sold to Tidal Trade and accordingly recognized a reduction of revenue of approximately $2.1 million. [24] Also in April the company acquired Tagger International B.V. ("Tagger"), a private limited liability company incorporated under Dutch law that manufactures messenger bags. Tagger was partially owned by the Managing Director of Crocs Europe B.V. The company acquired all Tagger assets for $2 million – $90,000 for inventory and $1.9 million for the Tagger trademark. [24] Later in June, Crocs liquidated Fury, Inc. two years after acquiring it, [25] after efforts to sell it off were unsuccessful. As a result, Crocs wrote off $250,000 related to the remaining customer relationships, intangible assets and trademarks over three months. [24]
In February 2022, Crocs acquired the Italian shoe company HEYDUDE for $2.3 billion, as well as issuance of stock to one owner of HEYDUDE. [26] [27]
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's operations in Russia, including retail, e-commerce sales and imports into the country, have been suspended with a promise of support through donations to UNICEF. [28]
In June 2004, Crocs purchased Foam Creations and their manufacturing operations to secure exclusive rights to the proprietary foam resin called Croslite. Croslite is a closed-cell resin, [29] [30] described by third parties as an injection-moulded EVA foam. [31] The foam forms itself to a wearer's feet and offers purported medical benefits, according to a number of podiatrists. [32] [33] Crocs holds a patent applied for under the title "breathable workshoes and methods for manufacturing such", [30] and three design patents covering various ornamental aspects. [34] [35] [36]
As of 2007, the company had applied to register "Crocs" and the Crocs logo as trademarks in over 40 jurisdictions around the world, including the U.S.; many such applications were pending approval. Crocs also extended the scope of their trademark registrations and applications for both the Crocs mark and logo to cover non-footwear products, such as sunglasses, goggles, knee pads, watches, luggage, and some of their Internet sales activities. [22]
Crocs are made in a variety of styles and colors. The Classic styles are available in more than 30 colors. [37] A "Fuzz Collection" with woolly liners extends the brand's range to winter wear. [38]
Crocs also sells other fashion accessories. Jibbitz are decorations that can be clipped to the ventilation holes in the shoes. [39]
In 2008, the company entered the golf shoe marketplace by acquiring the golf shoe manufacturer Bite Footwear and introducing a Croc-styled pair of golf shoes, the Ace. [24]
After the acquisition of HeyDude for $2.5bn in 2022, the shoe maker expanded into shoes other than their patent clogs, and they even started manufacturing apparel.
Crocs was the title sponsor of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Tour from 2006 through the 2009 season. [40] [41]
Crocs were in the public eye in 2021 with celebrities like Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber modeling the shoes on social media. [42] [43] Crocs were popular on social media like TikTok, as well. [44]
Crocs collaborations are announced on a regular basis, with individuals and brands designing their own limited-edition versions. In 2021, they partnered with The Smiley Company to launch a special edition Croc. [45] In 2023, they collaborated with German luxury label MCM for a series of limited releases. [46]
Crocs announced in 2006 that it filed complaints with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) and the United States district court against 11 companies that manufacture, import or distribute products, called "croc-offs", [47] that Crocs believes infringe its patents. [48] Seizures of counterfeit Crocs occurred in 2007 in the Philippines [49] and Denmark, [50] and were under litigation in South Africa. [51] In 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that Crocs' design patent had been infringed. [52]
In 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requested a voluntary recall of Crocs-like "clogs" due to a potential choking hazard involving detaching plastic rivets. [53]
Versions of the Croc style shoes have appeared in children's fashion catalogs, usually under their own name brands or as no names. Other knock-offs are in discount stores, amusement park stores, beach stores, department stores, and superstores. [47]
Some Crocs shoes were tested and recommended by the U.S. Ergonomics company in 2005 [54] and were accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association [55] in 2009. [32] In 2008, the U.S. government Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved a model of Crocs with molded insoles as diabetic footwear, to help reduce foot injuries. [56]
Footwear such as Crocs and flip-flops came under scrutiny in 2006 in the U.S. and 2008 in Japan when children suffered injuries after the shoes became caught in escalator mechanisms. [57] [58] This was due to the soft shoe material combined with the smaller size of children's feet. [59] In 2008, Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry, after receiving 65 complaints of injuries, requested that Crocs change its design. [58]
Internationally, some healthcare facilities introduced policies in 2007 regulating Crocs. Rapid City Regional Hospital in South Dakota changed its dress code to prohibit the sandal variants and those with holes, citing safety concerns, but allowed closed-top "Professional" and the healthcare-focused "Rx" Crocs to be worn. [60] Over 100 hospitals in Canada were advised to implement similar policies. [61] [62] Blekinge and Karolinska University hospitals in Sweden banned the wearing of "Forsberg slippers" (Foppatofflor) [63] by staff, due to high voltage static electricity buildup which was observed [64] to interfere with electronic equipment. [65] [66] [67] City hospitals in Vienna, Austria, announced banning Crocs, often worn by nursing staff, to comply with antistatic requirements. [68]
Crocs announced the Fuse and two others in 2009, formulated to dissipate static electricity in accordance with European standard EN ISO 20347:2004 (E), for use in the medical sector. [69]
Sales of Crocs increased dramatically starting in 2009, [70] with The New York Times stating that first-quarterly sales roughly tripled from 2006 to 2007. [71] A 2006 article in The Washington Post described the phenomenon: "Nor is the fashion world enamored of Crocs. Though their maker touts their 'ultra-hip Italian styling,' lots of folks find them hideous." [32] In 2007, then-U.S. President George W. Bush publicly wore black Crocs with socks. [72] Comedian Bill Maher stated during a 2007 episode of his show Real Time that people should "stop wearing plastic shoes". [73] A 2007 episode of The Daily Show featured comedian Rob Corddry as a reporter satirically following up on that year's lewd conduct arrest of Senator Larry Craig, with Corddry stating that a person wearing Crocs is signaling that "anything goes". [74]
The 2006 film Idiocracy heavily features the footwear as the costume department had a limited budget and Crocs were an inexpensive option. During the 2004 production of the film the team thought that the inexpensive plastic shoes both looked like they could be the shoe of the future but also too stupid to actually catch on, making them perfect for the film. [75]
In 2008, fashion consultant Tim Gunn told Time , "[The Croc] looks like a plastic hoof. How can you take that seriously?" [76] A 2008 anti-Crocs essay in Newsweek by ice hockey player Steve Tuttle [77] generated much response from readers who both agreed and disagreed with it. [78] In 2009, then-First Lady Michelle Obama was spotted wearing Crocs with her daughter. [79] Crocs were ranked the sixth worst thing to happen to men in 2007 by Maxim . [80] In 2010, Time magazine listed Crocs as one of the world's "50 Worst Inventions". [81] The blog "IHateCrocs.com" was founded by two Canadian college students; one of its founders, Kate Leth, referred to the shoes as "hideous". The website "CrocFans.com" documented uses of the shoes. [71] The Facebook group "I Don't Care How Comfortable Crocs Are, You Look Like a Dumbass" has been mentioned in the media. [82] [83] [84]
In the mid-2010s, public perception of Crocs began to shift. In 2015, Prince George was photographed at a charity event wearing navy blue Crocs. After one week, this created a 1,500% increase of sales according to a spokesperson for Amazon.com. [85] [86] Fashion designer Christopher Kane had his models wear Crocs during his show at the 2016 London Fashion Week, [87] and Balenciaga released a 10 cm Croc platform shoe in 2017. [88] Crocs saw a massive surge in popularity in 2020, caused by the rise of casual fashion during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and its worldwide lockdowns. [89] By 2022, they were the best-selling item of clothing on Amazon. [90] Industry experts believed that much of the trend was also driven by Gen Z's desire for "comfort and unconventional style". [91] Celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, Nicki Minaj, Questlove, and Kanye West all sported Crocs during the early 2020s, inspiring fans to embrace the shoes' "newfound coolness". [92] [89] There have also been limited edition themed Crocs created in collaboration with Bieber, KFC, Hidden Valley Ranch, and Pixar. [93]
A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but over time, shoes also became fashion items. Some shoes are worn as safety equipment, such as steel-toe boots, which are required footwear at industrial worksites.
Converse is an American lifestyle brand that markets, distributes, and licenses footwear, apparel, and accessories. Founded by Marquis Mills Converse in 1908 as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Malden, Massachusetts, it has been acquired by several companies before becoming a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. in 2003.
Clogs are a type of footwear that has a thick, rigid sole typically made of wood, although in American English, shoes with rigid soles made of other materials are also called clogs.
Ugg boots are a unisex style of sheepskin boot originating in Australia. The boots are typically made of twin-faced sheepskin with fleece on the inside, a tanned outer surface and a synthetic sole. The term "ugg boots" originated in Australia, initially for utilitarian footwear worn for warmth, and which were often worn by surfers during the 1960s. In the 1970s, the boots were introduced to the surf culture of the United Kingdom and the United States. Sheepskin boots became a fashion trend in the U.S. in the late 1990s and a worldwide trend in the mid-2000s. In Australia, they are worn predominantly as slippers and often associated with daggy fashion sense and bogan culture.
Sandals are an open type of shoe, consisting of a sole held to the wearer's foot by straps going over the instep and around the ankle. Sandals can also have a heel. While the distinction between sandals and other types of footwear can sometimes be blurry, the common understanding is that a sandal leaves all or most of the foot exposed. People may choose to wear sandals for several reasons, among them comfort in warm weather, economy, and as a fashion choice. Usually, people wear sandals in warmer climates or during warmer parts of the year in order to keep their feet cool and dry. The risk of developing athlete's foot is lower than with enclosed shoes, and the wearing of sandals may be part of the treatment regimen for such an infection.
Vans is an American apparel, accessories, and skateboarding shoes brand, established in Anaheim, California, and owned by VF Corporation. The company also sponsors surf, snowboarding, BMX, and motocross teams. From 1996 to 2019, the brand was the primary sponsor of the annual Warped Tour music festival.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation, doing business as Deckers Brands, is a footwear designer and distributor based in Goleta, California, United States. It was founded in 1973 by University of California, Santa Barbara alumni Doug Otto and Karl F. Lopker. In 1975, the company was incorporated in California under the name Deckers Corporation. In October 1993, Deckers initiated a public offering of stock in its company. Deckers' portfolio of brands includes UGG, Teva, Hoka One One, and Koolaburra.
Timberland LLC is an American manufacturer and retailer of outdoor footwear and apparel owned by VF Corporation. The company also sells accessories including watches, eyewear, and leather goods. Timberland's corporate headquarters are located in Stratham, New Hampshire.
Chuck Taylor All-Stars or Converse All Stars are sneakers manufactured by American fashion brand Converse. Initially developed as a basketball shoe in the early 20th century, its design has remained largely unchanged since its introduction. The shoe consists of a stitched upper portion, and a toe cap and outsole usually made of rubber. Although Chuck Taylors are made of various materials such as leather or suede, the original and most widely known version is made from cotton canvas. The innovative detail of the original shoe was the "loose lining" of soft canvas that was intended to provide flexibility and prevent blisters.
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. or Wolverine Worldwide, is a publicly traded American footwear manufacturer based in Rockford, Michigan. The shoemaker is known for its eponymous brand, Wolverine Boots and Shoes, as well as other brands, such as Hush Puppies, Chaco, and Merrell. The company also manufactures licensed footwear for other firms, such as Caterpillar and Harley-Davidson. In 2012, Wolverine World Wide added Saucony, Keds, Stride Rite and Sperry Top-Sider to its list of brands, after acquiring the Performance Lifestyle Group of Collective Brands in a $1.23 billion transaction that also involved the sale of Payless ShoeSource and Collective Licensing International to private equity firms Blum Capital Partners and Golden Gate Capital.
UGG is an American fashion company primarily known for its sheepskin boots, founded in 1978 by Australian surfer Brian Smith in Santa Monica, California. After putting on his pair of Australian sheepskin boots after a chilly late-night surf in Malibu, Smith realized sheepskin boots weren't available in the United States like they were in Australia, giving Smith the idea to create UGG. UGG also sells apparel, accessories, and home textiles.
Reebok International Limited is an American footwear and clothing brand that is a part of Authentic Brands Group. It was established in England in 1958 as a companion company to J.W. Foster and Sons, a sporting goods company which had been founded in 1895 in Bolton, Lancashire. From 1958 until 1986, the brand featured the flag of the United Kingdom in its logo to signify the origins of the company. It was bought by German sporting goods company Adidas in 2005, then sold to the United States–based Authentic Brands Group in 2021. The company's global headquarters are located in Boston, Massachusetts, in the Seaport District.
Piperlime was an online retail company based in San Francisco, California. Founded in 2006 as a spin-off by Gap Inc., Piperlime offered a selection of footwear and handbags for women, men and children. Beginning in fall 2009, the company sold women's clothing and, later, men's clothing, with the men's business retiring in August 2014.
Zappos.com is an American online shoe and clothing retailer based in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The company was founded in 1999 by Nick Swinmurn and launched under the domain name Shoesite.com. In July 2009, Amazon acquired Zappos in an all-stock deal worth around $1.2 billion at the time. Amazon purchased all of the outstanding shares and warrants from Zappos for 10 million shares of Amazon's common stock and provided $40 million in cash and restricted stock for Zappos employees.
Belle International Holdings Limited is a women's shoe retailer in China, with 22% of the domestic market share. It is engaged in the manufacturing, distribution, and retail sales of footwear products. As of its IPO in May 2007, the company had 3,828 retail outlets in 150 cities in China and 35 in Hong Kong, Macau and the US.
Nike, Inc. is an American athletic footwear and apparel corporation headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, United States. It is the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of US$46 billion in its fiscal year 2022.
Shoe Show, Inc. is an American footwear retailer based in Concord, North Carolina. It operates shoe stores throughout the United States under the brands Shoe Show, Shoe Dept., Shoe Dept. Encore, Shoebilee!, Burlington Shoes, and Shoe Show Mega.
Xero Shoes is a brand of lightweight minimalist footwear manufactured by Feel the World Inc. Founded in 2009 by Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, the company's initial product was DIY sandals made only of a rubber sole and laces, but the company later introduced ready-made sandals and closed-toed shoes. Xero Shoes was featured on ABC's Shark Tank and gained success after the appearance in February 2013.
Dansko is a comfort footwear company based in West Grove, Pennsylvania. Dansko was founded in 1990 by husband and wife team, Peter Kjellerup and Mandy Cabot. Most well known for its clogs, Dansko also makes dress and casual shoes, sandals, and boots.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)...Oh, and Jon, anyone in those brightly colored plastic Crocs? That means anything goes. We're talking hardcore ass-[censored] stuff — scat play. And Jon, that's not just in bathrooms. Anytime you see anyone wearing Crocs, be aware. ... If they're wearing Crocs, they are soliciting incredibly depraved gay sex. You can take that to the bank. Women who wear crocs also have to give unlimited BJ's
During a trip to Martha's Vineyard in August 2009, Michelle Obama went casual in sky blue Crocs. According to the company, she's wearing the Malindi style — and they match perfectly with daughter Sasha's outfit.