Juanma Muñoz

Footwear brand OOFOS has been at the forefront of active recovery - innovating and bringing exciting products to market. Paul Brown, Juan Diaz and Lou Panaccione co-founded White Water Enterprises in 2006 – a corporate vehicle for incubating exciting new footwear innovations discovered and/or developed by the team, and the USA company from which OOFOS sprang in 2011. It took two years to develop the material that would become OOfoam. OOFOS absorbs 37 per cent more impact than traditional foam footwear and their patented footbed cradles and supports arches to reduce energy exertion in the ankles by up to 47 per cent when compared to competitors’ footwear (based on a 2018 University of Virginia laboratory study). The combination of OOfoam technology and patented footbed design are the foundation of every pair of OOFOS Recovery Footwear. OSC took over the distribution of OOFOS in the UK, Ireland and France on January 1, 2024. Jon Wild, brand https://lnkd.in/e-Hfx3yJ #TrendsFeatures

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Dear Senior Leaders, How’s it going? Your business, I mean. If you’re not growing or performing at the level you’d like to be at, don’t keep blaming remote work (or any other regularly-mentioned scapegoat). It might be something else. Want to know what that something else is? We have some REAL tools that can help. Sincerely, The Un-consultants at HR Soul Consulting #Business #Strategy #Leadership #TalentDevelopment #OrganizationalDevelopment #Coaching

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spot on—excessive price hikes are a short-term fix for declining sales volumes but risk alienating loyal customers. Luxury brands need to focus on value and sustainability company DNA rather than desperate pricing strategies that could undermine their long-term success.

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Dear Bjorn Gulden, in life as in retail many things are inexplicable. However, the German Football Federation's recent decision to terminate their partnership with adidas and move to Nike as their new kit supplier from 2027 is not one of them. Nike saw an opportunity to offer improved terms to the federation and outbid their rival amidst recent challenges. It's no surprise that the DFB jumped at the chance to accept such an offer, given the current economic situation and the recent performance of their team on the international soccer scene. On the other hand, Adidas has faced some inexplicable controversies in their own turf, including the recent debacle of the stylized font of the number '4' on the jerseys, reminiscent of the lightning-bolt symbols used by Nazi SS units in WWII. Additionally, there has been ambiguity surrounding the ongoing sales of Yeezy's leftover inventory in global markets. It's clear that Nike's conquesting tactics have paid off with this new partnership, providing a significant boost to their PR. As for Adidas, it seems they have some work to do to maintain their position in the market. #sportswear #fashion #retail #sportsmarketing #soccer #PR #linkedinpostsbymariopace #partnerships Read more about this story here: https://lnkd.in/etx3PxFn

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One day after EssilorLuxottica announced its deal to acquire Supreme from VF Corporation, Meta, Facebook's owner, is in talks to acquire a stake of about 5% in the eyewear company. Based on recent market value, a roughly 5% stake could be valued at around $5 billion, a relatively small for Meta, given its market value of around $1.2 trillion. EssilorLuxottica makes Meta's Ray Ban smart glasses and sales of the glasses have exceeded expectations. The devices, an important part of Meta’s hardware strategy, allow users to take photos and listen to music with the frames of their glasses, among other features. Maintaining ties with Luxottica is crucial for the success of smart glasses devices and the company’s ambitions to build the so-called metaverse, which is a term used to describe people interacting in a 3-D version of the internet simultaneously. A third generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, expected to include a small screen display, is expected to be ready for consumers in time for the 2025 holiday season. The allure of Luxottica’s Ray-Ban brand is important to the success of a tech device that users are expected to wear on their faces. Luxottica’s ownership of LensCrafters, the prescription-eyewear retailer, also plays a key role in selling the Ray-Ban Meta to users who require prescription lenses. The two companies began working together several years ago for the release of the first generation Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, which went on sale in 2021. The initial device struggled to catch on with consumers, and among the glasses that were sold, only 10% of the Ray-Ban Stories were actively used by their purchasers. The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses went on sale in September and have done significantly better than their predecessors. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses operate more quickly and have better cameras than their predecessor. The Ray-Ban Meta also includes nascent generative #AI technology that allows users to ask the device for information about the things in front of them, such as the breed of a cat. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses have proven popular for users who want to shoot hands-free videos of their children playing and first-person videos of themselves while going on roller coasters or riding bikes. Meta hasn’t said how well the Ray-Ban Meta glasses have sold, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in April that the device was doing well and that a market for that type of device was developing sooner than he would have expected. Meta sells its own devices to employees at a discount, and offers the Ray-Ban Meta glasses at a 15% discount with a limit of 3 pairs per employee. The new glasses have proven so popular internally that some employees have tried to get extra pairs from their colleagues after hitting the 3-pair limit. #strategy #technology #smartdevice https://lnkd.in/ePwG-bSc?

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What Retailers and Brands Need to Do to Address Challenges in the Footwear Market Interesting read ..

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This is the first capsule collection me and Agnese will launch. After we checked the results of the survey we ran, and after analyzing 350 responses, these are the winners. We decided to focus on the top three highest voted colours: (people could vote multiple colours, that's why those percentages don't "add up") - Black (81.7%) - Brown (61.5%) - Burgundy (49.8%) The idea is to have a really solid but limited capsule collection, because it would be too risky to start with too many products – also, if we find a bunch of products selling well, we want to quickly push. Having too many products would complicate that. Our hope is to find 2-3 real winners and to push them as much as we can. ___ In the next 30-45 days these are the tasks we MUST complete: 1) Agnese will take care of the shooting in Milan; 2) I have to finish the website – we will be on WordPress/WooCommerce; 3) I will have to find an agreement with the 3PL to deal with shipping/logistics – we will probably have our warehouse in the Netherlands. ___ We should be ready to launch by the end of February – if nothing happens. But we are already happy about the responses we had and the small traction we already got. I don't want to be delusional, because "you never know," but I think we got this :) Let's see if 20 years combined of experience in the field (between me and Agnese) will pay off. But now that we are about to launch, I'm getting anxious as well :) Have a great weekend! #fashion

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You might not know the name Marcolin Spa, the Italian eyewear manufacturer, but you’ll definitely know the brands they produce frames for: Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, adidas, BMW eyewear, Candies, Gant, 6CDS, Kenneth Cole, Marciano for Guess, Max&Co, MaxMara, Pucci, Skechers, Timberland and Tod’s. Revenues last year crept up 2% but EBITDA grew 27.9% driven by strong performance in Asia following a re-org in the region. Despite this reports have been common that PE backers PAI Partners (83% shareholders) have put Marcolin up for sale at a cool €1.3Bn. Interested parties are said to include Safilo, Marchon, Kering and EssilorLuxottica. #Marcolin insights FY23: 📈 Full Yr revenue €558m, +2% YOY 📈 Adjusted EBITDA reached 78.1 million euros (+27.9% v FY22) 📈 13m glasses sold 📈 EMEA - revenue was +1.7% - driven by the luxury segment in France, UK, Italy and Spain 📈 Americas - revenue was -4.8% - impacted by macroeconomics of the region and a declining eyewear sector 📈 Asia - revenue was +81.5% - Strongest growth came from South Korea, and the countries of SE Asia (operated by third party distributors) 🏭 Revenues by region: EMEA 47.4% Americas 39.6% ROW 5.2% APAC 7.8% Key FY23 Highlights ✅ Paid $250m for a long-term licence agreement with The Estée Lauder Companies for TOM FORD eyewear, a significant extension of the current licence agreement ✅ Acquired the the German company ic! berlin GmbH for €38.5m. The acquisition was arranged with the aim of increasing metalworking expertise and expanding the portfolio of luxury brands, strengthening the commercial position of the Group in key areas such as Asia and Europe. ✅ Signed new licence agreements with MCM and Christian Louboutin (the latter at the beginning of 2024) and the renewal and extension of licence agreements for brands already in the portfolio such as Emilio Pucci, Zegna, Max & Co, GCDS, Harley Davidson and Skechers ESG ✅ Implemented a path to sustainability in line with ESG standards (since 2021). Actions focus on various issues, including carbon emissions reduction and the circular economy. ✅ Reduced use of fossil-based materials. Increased use of innovative plastic materials. The latter include bio-based acetate, which is employed in a number of collections for some of Marcolins key Brands. For injection-molded eyewear, instead, R-PET plastic (Recycled PET) is used Employees / ED&I ✅ 57% of employees are women, 43% of whom are snr managers ✅ With the amalgamation of ic! Berlin headcount increased from 1854 to 2000 ✅ A Psychological Help Desk was launched through an online platform accredited by the Italian Health Service offering 24/7 help and support to anyone in need. The service is anonymous and available to employees and their families. ✅ Approved a new Gender Equality Policy in Nov 23 which establishes the company’s commitment to an inclusive and fair work environment, guaranteeing equal opportunities and parenting support

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After a tumultuous few years marked by declining #sales, lacklustre #innovation and decimated #retail relationships, John Donahoe has stepped down as CEO of Nike. His departure comes on the heels of mounting criticism over Nike’s #digital transformation #strategy, which hit a critical juncture on June 28 when the company’s market capitalization plummeted by $28 billion following a dismal earnings report. The report projected that Nike’s revenues would drop by “mid-single digits” in fiscal 2025, triggering the worst day for Nike stock since its 1980 IPO. It was a downturn that many industry insiders had long anticipated. Although Donahoe was brought in from #SiliconValley with a mandate to make #Nike a digitally-driven company, the justification for this strategy quickly eroded in a post-pandemic landscape. The rapid shift toward ecommerce, once seen as the future of retail, began to lose momentum as consumer preferences swung back to in-person experiences. But Nike, having pivoted so heavily into a direct-to-consumer (DTC) model while neglecting the core pillars that originally made it a global sportswear leader—namely, cutting-edge product innovation and culturally resonant marketing—found itself in a precarious position. To fill the leadership vacuum, the sportswear giant has named company veteran Elliott Hill as its new #CEO. Hill, who joined Nike as an #intern in 1988, worked his way up through the ranks, eventually heading global operations for both Nike and the Jordan Brand, before retiring in 2020. His return has already sparked a wave of optimism, with Nike's shares, which had fallen by 25 percent this year, rising by 6 percent in premarket trading following the announcement.

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Hey #footwear industry friends and supporters... 🔥 The Q4 Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) Shoe Executive Business Outlook Survey results are in, and shoe industry leaders are concerned about costs. Why it matters: This quarterly industry check-in provides critical insights either to confirm or challenge the anecdotal information I receive from you all on a daily basis. Not a surprise: Half of the survey’s respondents expect their operating costs to rise over the next half year, the highest share in 8 quarters. Expectations of higher costs are due to anticipated higher landed costs, as the share expecting these costs to rise doubled from last quarter to 82%, the most in 2.5 years. 🚨 Spoiler alert: Surging in step with the growing anxiety about higher landed costs, the share of respondents pointing to the government as their company’s biggest issue over the next 6 months tripled from last quarter to a record. In fact, about 3 in 5 respondents see anticipated higher tariffs raising both landed costs and retail prices in 2025. Read the entire survey results here - https://lnkd.in/epYSUhXG

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Hot take: How brands deploy Digital Product Passports will determine whether they take hold among the general population or just become a regulatory burden: • RIMOWA added NFC-powered Certificates of Ownership to their luggage. (Aleksija Vujicic had an interesting write-up last month about the opportunities they missed, though.) • Coach uses DPPs to facilitate access to end-of-life options (reuse/resell/recycle). • HUGO BOSS customers can use the digital ID embedded in their jackets to access IRL events, take ski lifts, and pay contactless. These are, in different shapes and forms, applications that have usefulness in the customer’s day-to-day. For the customer, they’re one more window into the brand’s universe; for brands, they’re a vehicle of customer engagement and a source of zero-party and first-party data. As DPPs become mandatory in Europe, I think players such as the Aura Blockchain Consortium, Seamm, and Arianee will play an increasingly important role in not simply enabling compliance, but showing brands how to use a regulatory shift to their advantage. More on this on the Nebulab blog in a couple of weeks! #retail #dpp #fashion #blockchain #luxury

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BRAND EVOLUTION IN THE AI ERA: A STRONGER CASE FOR STRATEGIC DESIGN AND THINKING There’s been so much chatter about generative AI lately that I thought I might as well put in my five cents worth. Remember when the Mac revolutionized desktop publishing in the late '80s? It democratized design, giving everyone the tools to create quickly. Yet, it also led to a landscape of poorly thought-out design overshadowing mindful strategy. Today, we’re seeing a similar shift with generative AI. Once again immense creative power is in more hands than ever before, creating both opportunity and saturation. Just like before, strategic design and thinking is critically needed to help brands stand out in an environment flooding with generic, repetitive AI-generated content. So how can AI and strategy work together to shape brand design? • Nike has evolved its identity through a fusion of creative partnerships with designers like Virgil Abloh and AI-powered insights to strengthen its market position. AI is used to analyze behaviour, personalize sneaker releases, create exclusivity and drive engagement based on preferences. It informs everything from design strategy to inventory management, helping Nike transform from traditional sportswear brand to lifestyle and cultural icon. More: https://lnkd.in/gBxJUvix • Nestlé uses AI to predict trends, personalize marketing and optimize product formulations. By analyzing datasets, Nestlé tailors products and campaigns more effectively, creates deeper connections with consumers and stays ahead of shifting preferences and product demands. More: https://lnkd.in/gJfe9FaJ • Amazon leads in global e-commerce innovation using AI-driven product recommendations, automated customer service and optimized delivery routes to streamline operations and improve customer experience. More: https://lnkd.in/gJpmxmQW Evolving a brand in the age of AI means bridging the gap between its established identity and its future potential. It’s daunting to step into uncharted territory, taking calculated risks that could redefine everything. But remember: While AI can generate countless designs, it is strategic design and thinking that transform these possibilities into brand-building opportunities. It ensures brand evolution is proactive and purposeful, helping brands differentiate themselves in a crowded market. In the AI era, it is the differentiator, turning technological capabilities into meaningful, human-centred brand expressions. We just need to ensure that strategic design and AI work synergistically to amplify our brand’s unique identity and strategy. So, how is your brand adapting its strategy in response to AI? How are you ensuring AI enhances, rather than dilutes, your brand’s identity? #BrandEvolution #AIandBranding #StrategicBranding #BrandStrategy #ExecutiveLeadership

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Minimalist Running Shoes Market Size, Demand, Key Players by Forecast 2034 https://lnkd.in/dJ4eWMQ4 Minimalist Running Shoes Market is poised for significant revenue growth and exponential expansion, with a projected remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) throughout the forecast period spanning from 2023 to 2034. Get a Free Sample PDF Brochure: https://lnkd.in/g9qfwSmx Key Factors Driving the Market: Health and Wellness Trends: Increasing awareness among consumers about the benefits of barefoot running and minimalist footwear for foot health and overall well-being. Performance Enhancement: Athletes and runners are adopting minimalist shoes for their purported ability to strengthen foot muscles, improve balance, and promote a more efficient running gait. Innovation in Material Science: Advances in material technology have allowed manufacturers to create lightweight yet durable shoes that mimic barefoot running conditions without compromising on comfort or protection. Fashion and Lifestyle: Minimalist shoes are increasingly becoming a fashion statement, appealing to consumers looking for footwear that combines style with functionality. Market Segmentations: Global Minimalist Running Shoes Market: By Company • New Balance • Saucony • Skechers • Arc'teryx(ANTA Sports) • Nike • Vivobarefoot • Vibram Group • TOPO Athletic • Tadeevo • Softstar Shoes • Merrell • LUNA Sandals • Inov-8(Descente) • Feel the World • Brooks Sports • Altra Running Global Minimalist Running Shoes Market: By Type • Below 8 Ounce • 8 Ounce-10 Ounce • Above 10 Ounce Global Minimalist Running Shoes Market: By Application • Hypermarkets(Offline) • Exclusive Stores(Offline) • Online Global Minimalist Running Shoes Market: Regional Analysis All the regional segmentation has been studied based on recent and future trends, and the market is forecasted throughout the prediction period. The countries covered in the regional analysis of the Global Minimalist Running Shoes market report are U.S., Canada, and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, and Rest of Europe in Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Argentina, Brazil, and Rest of South America as part of South America. Direct Order Can Be Placed Through This Link: https://lnkd.in/dPeW7fqW Market Dynamics: Increasing Competition: As the market grows, more companies are entering the minimalist footwear space, off

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#Inditex, the parent company of #Zara, impresses with a remarkable 10.2% surge in first-half sales at constant currency, signaling a 7.2% increase on a reported basis. This growth builds on a solid first-quarter performance. The strategic reduction of stores and introduction of innovative design concepts have played a pivotal role in driving sales, resulting in lower inventory levels and enhanced logistics. The seamless integration of new #RFID tags has further optimized operational efficiency. #retail #businessgrowth #logisticsmanagement

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✨ Fashion and luxury are not just economic sectors; they are powerful tools to interpret the world and pursue beauty and quality. As highlighted by Il Sole 24 Ore, 2025 brings challenges such as rising prices, shifting global markets, and the key role of new creatives. However, these challenges can turn into opportunities. Fashion and luxury uniquely capture the essence of our time, transforming values into inspiring products. Emphasizing craftsmanship and timeless quality can reinforce their role as cultural and economic pillars. In 2025, true luxury will be about celebrating well-made products, a value deeply and unconsciously recognized by humanity, reflecting a society in transformation. #fashion #luxury #craftsmanship #beauty #quality #sustainability #timelessdesign #globalmarkets #futureoffashion

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I'm about to launch my #fashion brand – and I'm proud that Agnese Curti will join as a co-founder. (Help us choose the first designs in the survey in the first comment) I have been really quiet in the past few months because things got really busy both with my agency, Grapefox, and with the launch of the new brand. So, here's a bunch of things about the brand: – The brand is called "Vilanera". What does it mean? Nothing. The name was empty and brandable. The ".com" domain was cheap and available and the name was not trademarked. And it sounds nice. That's it :) – We are going to sell women's bags. The reasons why we have decided to focus on this are multiple, but the main ones are: 1) Women's bags are a huge market; 2) They have lower returns compared to other items – especially dresses –, because it's less likely that people will return them because the item doesn't fit properly; 3) They have a single size, so dealing with production/stock is going to be a bit easier. – The bags are going to be produced in Italy. The first collection will be made in Florence. – There are no investors – and I don't think there will ever be. I will finance the project with my own money. For now we are going to start with around 20,000 € – then we will push to 100,000 €, if things work. – The brand is built to be profitable from day 1. We are aiming at 55-60% gross margins after returns/COGS/shipping while maintaining high quality of the bags. This will leave us plenty of room to pay for marketing/fixed costs. (the aim is not to exceed 10% fixed costs) – We will keep fixed costs as low as possible and we will be cutthroat when it comes to expenses – stock included. – We will focus on what people want and not on what we want, so we will heavily test each single design before launching it. What doesn't work will be removed. – We want to let people/customers decide what bags we will produce, so we will try to design a system to allow people to constantly vote for new features/designs. – I will try to crack the organic side as soon as possible, because paid advertising will be a walk in the park, but I don't want to over-rely on Meta/Google/TikTok ads. You will see me trying to sell women's bags with my Italian accent :) – We are starting with some basic designs and this is done on purpose. We don't want to risk with designs that are too unique. We will develop something unique later, but first we need to be profitable. – Last but not least, we launched a survey to see what designs people like and to choose the first 4 bags to launch, and we received really good feedback, actually. If you are interested and you like women's bags, you can take the survey by checking the first comment under this post. I really wanted to launch this project since forever, and after many, many years, I finally felt ready – skill-wise and financially – to jump. Last but not least, let's hope it will go well. Fingers crossed! :)

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Via The Business of Fashion. Confirming my previous post! Luxury brands raising their prices higher than inflation rate WITHOUT the backup of true newness in products, combined with formulaic consumer engagement, and questionable quality proposition is a sure recipe for gloom and doom! Hermes, Cucinelli, Moncler are buckling the trends, but what works for them may not work for your brand. Find your own voice! Among the underpeforming brands, I still hold hope for a rare few. For them, this quote from Bemjamin Disraeli comes to mind: "The secret of success, is constancy of Purpose." To these brands, I say: listen to your consumers, learn, adjust, focus, and trust your teams!!! ... and don't waste a good crisis!

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