Skechers
 It is the 1998-present logo. |
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| Type | Public (NYSE: SKX) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Manhattan Beach, California, U.S. |
| Number of locations | 193 (company-owned worldwide)[1] |
| Key people | Robert Greenberg (Co-founder, CEO) Michael Greenberg (Co-founder, Chairman) |
| Products | Footwear, Apparel |
| Revenue |  US$1.4 billion (FY 2009)[2] |
| Net income | US$55 million (FY 2009)[2] |
| Employees | 4,698[2] |
| Website | skechers.com |
Skechers (NYSE: SKX) is an American shoe company headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, founded by CEO Robert Greenberg. Greenberg started Skechers in 1990 after he left LA Gear which he also founded.[3] Skechers was started with his son as a distributor for Doc Martens; they launched their own shoe line the following year. This did not last long as they started importing knock-off Doc Martens boots which ended in a legal battle between Skechers and Doc Martins.[4] Skechers' early products were utility-style boots and skate shoes; the company has since diversified to include thousands of athletic, casual and dress styles for men, women and children.[5]
Skechers makes an effort to maintain a trendy and stylish brand image by using celebrity-driven advertising,[1] and has promoted its product with singers Brandy, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, The Black Eyed Peas, Ashlee Simpson, Carrie Underwood and David Cook; actors Robert Downey Jr., Rob Lowe and Matt Dillon; athletes Joe Montana, Karl Malone, Rick Fox and Wayne Gretzky; and TV personalities Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Brooke Burke.[2]
Skechers' brands include Skechers Sport, Skechers USA, Active, Cali, Shape-ups, Tone-ups, Skechers Resistance, Skechers Work and Skechers Kids. Branded separately, the company's fashion and street lines include Unltd. by Marc Ecko, Zoo York and Mark Nason.[6]
Many Skechers shoe designs are copies of other shoe designs with very good marketing.[3][4] [7][8][9][10] Many Skechers designs look almost like other designers products,[11] one notable example being the Shape Ups line, a copy of Karl Müller's MBT shoe design.[12][13]
Skechers is currently involved in a class action lawsuit alleging that it has misled customers with its Shape-Ups ads.[14] Another lawsuit is pending that questions the safety of the Shape-Ups shoes.[15]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Skechers U.S.A. (SKX) main financial via wikinvest
- ^ a b c d SKX 2009 10-K "Selected Financial Data"
- ^ a b Sole Survivors. Forbes.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ a b Robert Greenberg 1940— Biography – Entrepreneurial skills, L.a. gears boom and bust. Referenceforbusiness.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ Skechers U.S.A. Inc. — Company History
- ^ SKECHERS Corporate Information
- ^ The ASICS Blog | ASICS Seeks Injunction And Damages From Skechers USA. Asicsamerica.com (2010-05-19). Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ Toms shoes knocked off by Skechers Bob shoes. Digital Mom Blog. Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ Crocs vs. Skechers: Round One. Shoppingblog.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ TOMS vs. BOBS: How Skechers Shot Themselves in the Foot. Fast Company (2010-10-21). Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ Crocs and Skechers Settle Ongoing Lawsuit. DesignTAXI.com (2008-12-05). Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ Shoemaker steps up defense of popular fitness line. Los Angeles Business Journal
- ^ Skechers Shape Ups. Mahalo.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ AHN. Allheadlinenews.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
- ^ Leamy, Elisabeth. (2011-02-16) Skechers Shape-Ups Lawsuit: Woman Sues Saying 'Toning Shoes' Caused Hip Fractures – ABC News. Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved on 2011-04-30.
[edit] External links
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