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Does Blame for Commotion Fall on the Shoe Brands?
Every holiday season (or almost every weekend for that matter), release date product sells out with many people going home empty handed. Aside from people being down about not scoring their favorite pair as a gift to themselves or a gift to a loved one, the insane demand and day-of-value occasionally finds things getting violent. Because of this, many shoppers have blamed the brands. We spoke to the retailers about their stance on whether or not the brands were at fault. Here’s what they had to say:
“I honestly think that burden is more so on the retailer than the actual brands. I do feel as if products didn’t have release dates and were sold when the store received them it would help because you wouldn’t have huge crowds on one day. That might not be the answer but I think it would be a fun change of pace. It’ll be like back in the day when you could randomly walk in a store and see Jordans and dope releases on the shelf.” – Greg Grovey, Nice Kicks
“I don’t hold the brands to any standard. I mean obviously making sure sizes are available is the best route on their part. It’s our job to make sure we can handle ‘our’ releases!” – Matt Tomamichel, Corporate
“I’m not sure about what’s going on in other places but for us I think we have it under control. I think it’s something that the stores have to figure out. The companies are going to provide the product and it’s up to us to figure out the best way to safely get it out.” – Rick Williams, Burn Rubber
“Really, it’s the stores responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone including customers and store staff. I think footwear brands have tried to offer more stock to retailers for releases so everyone walks away happy but at this point it’s just over-saturating the market.” – Jennifer Bruce, Wish ATL
It appears the general consensus among shops surveyed is that the responsibility of a safe and smooth release falls in the hands of the retailers and not the brands.
