Skechers


Skechers USA, Inc. is a North American lifestyle and performance footwear company. Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, the brand was founded in 1992 and is now the third largest athletic footwear brand in the United States.

History

Skechers was founded in 1992 by Robert Greenberg, who had previously founded L.A. Gear in 1978. Greenberg sought to focus on the casual footwear market. Skechers' early products were utility-style boots and skate shoes. The company has since diversified to include athletic and casual styles for men, women, and children, as well as performance shoes.

Products and advertising

The company offers two footwear categories: a lifestyle division that includes Skechers Memory Foam, the charity line BOBS and Relaxed Fit comfort shoes, and a performance division that includes Skechers GOrun and Skechers GOwalk footwear. Through licensing agreements, the company offers branded bags, watches, eyewear and additional merchandise.
Skechers uses celebrity-driven advertising, and has promoted its products with celebrities including recording artists Demi Lovato and Camila Cabello, baseball players Clayton Kershaw, David Ortiz, and football players Tony Romo and Howie Long. The Skechers Performance Division has featured elite runner Meb Keflezighi, and pro golfers Matt Kuchar, Brooke Henderson, and Wesley Bryan. In 2014, Skechers signed an endorsement deal with musician Ringo Starr.
On March 1, 2019, Skechers launched a print and digital comparative advertising campaign titled "Just Blew It" to highlight the Zion Williamson failed shoe incident with rival Nike.

Causes

Skechers launched its Skechers Foundation in 2010. Skechers and the Friendship Foundation host an annual walk to raise money for a nonprofit that helps connect special-needs students with their peers.

Litigation

In 2012, Skechers agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $40 million based on a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint that it had misled customers with its Shape-Ups ads.

Movies