One of the only bright spots, according to NPD figures, was running shoes, which posted a 52 percent gain in sales from 1997 to 2000 at specialty shops. And while specialty retailers' sales picked up by 5 percent last year as compared with 1999, they still lag behind a 10.5 percent increase from department stores and national chain stores for the same period. Bob Carr, editor of the industry trade newsletter Inside Sporting Goods, said fashion has become the dominant consideration among athletic footwear retailers. No longer do stores carry just running, basketball and cross-trainer shoes. Now racks are filled with other types of footwear, from hiking boots to the popular Skechers work boots.
Manufacturers stumble Even the manufacturing end of the industry has some problems.
Shoemaker Converse Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January and is set to close three North American plants, shifting its operations overseas. Nike blamed the U.S. market and glitches in its computerized delivery system. The company is expected to announce earnings on March 20. There is a shift in the market as to what works. It's tougher for the retailer.