For footwear companies, trade and tariff uncertainty isn’t breaking news—it’s part of doing business. In this Shoe-In Show episode, Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear Company, joins Matt Priest and Andy Polk to talk candidly about how global trade dynamics and shifting tariff policies continue to shape pricing, sourcing, and long-term planning across the industry. Tim explains why footwear brands have learned to operate in an environment where uncertainty is constant and why discipline, flexibility, and supply chain clarity matter more than ever. A grounded conversation on navigating trade realities that footwear leaders know all too well. 🎧 Watch the full conversation on Shoe-In Show #ShoeInShow #FootwearIndustry #TradePolicy #Tariffs #SupplyChain #ColumbiaSportswear #GlobalTrade
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)
Retail
Washington, DC 18,720 followers
The footwear industry's business and trade association.
About us
Founded in 1944 by the footwear industry, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) is the oldest and largest footwear trade association in the US. We represent and serve 97% of the footwear industry from small family-owned footwear businesses to global footwear companies. FDRA owns FFANY, a nontraditional trade show, where it is truly made up of showrooms and pop-up spaces in mid-town rather than in 1 central convention center in NYC. FFANY actively supports more than 100 companies and over 200 brands. FDRA represents and serves the full supply chain of the footwear industry from research, design and development, to manufacturing and distribution, to retailers selling to consumers all over the globe. FDRA is the footwear industry’s intelligence hub. We help our members understand and navigate the increasingly complex world of customs classifications, intellectual property issues, and product safety regulations. FDRA produces weekly sales reports to help the industry follow retail trends, and monthly commodity reports to keep companies updated on the base costs of their products. Likewise, we inform the industry of global footwear sourcing trends and issues that may affect shipping and distribution. This is all done through a variety of groundbreaking reports and surveys, in-depth newsletters, and world-renown conferences. Check out this link here for some of the reasons why 9% of the market has joined FDRA: https://fdra.org/fdra-membership-insight/
- Website
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http://www.fdra.org/
External link for Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)
- Industry
- Retail
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1944
- Specialties
- Fotwear Trade Data, Footwear Sales Data, Footwear Logistics, Footwear Supply Chain Management, Footwear Retail, Footwear Distribution, Footwear Customs Issues, Footwear Product Safety Issues, Footwear Factories, Footwear Sourcing, and tradeshows
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
200 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001, US
Employees at Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)
Updates
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New Year, New Link 🙂 FDRA MEMBERS: We're back and we're better! We have a new call link for our Tuesday Member Weekly Call. If you have previously registered, please re-register below for access: https://lnkd.in/e5uHf4sy There’s no better time than the start of the year to get a clear read on what’s shaping the footwear industry. Join us every Tuesday at 2:00 PM ET for our 45-minute weekly member briefing, where we break down the insights leaders need to stay prepared and proactive.
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What truly differentiates a brand in today’s crowded advertising landscape? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear Company, shares why Columbia doesn’t try to outshout competitors—instead, it leans into something others can’t replicate: a genuine connection to the outdoors. “We can do it, and others can’t.” That clarity has shaped how Columbia approaches storytelling, marketing, and brand trust—rooted in real experiences, not manufactured moments. 🎧 Tune in to hear how authenticity, legacy, and focus drive long-term brand strength. #ShoeInShow #ColumbiaSportswear #BrandStrategy #AuthenticMarketing #OutdoorIndustry #FootwearLeadership
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Trade policy will be top of mind in 2026—and footwear companies need to be prepared. From proposed tariffs and Supreme Court consideration of IEEPA authorities to an election year influencing trade policy, the landscape is shifting. Join this FDRA members-only virtual briefing for expert insights on what’s ahead and how it could impact your business. Virtual | $100 | Register now: https://lnkd.in/e7ZRy9vB
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2026 will be a pivotal year for U.S. trade policy and the footwear industry. With multiple tariff proposals, Supreme Court consideration of IEEPA tariffs, and an election year shaping congressional response, staying informed is critical. Join this FDRA members-only virtual event to hear experts break down what to expect and what it means for your bottom line. Register now: https://lnkd.in/e7ZRy9vB
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How do you lead a legacy brand forward without losing what makes it special? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Rob Griffiths, Global Brand President of Saucony, joins Matt Priest and Andy Polk to discuss his path from elite athlete to footwear executive. Rob shares how sport shaped his leadership philosophy, how Saucony balances innovation with heritage, and what it takes to compete in today’s running market. #FootwearIndustry #Leadership #Saucony #BrandStrategy #ShoeInShow #RunningInnovation
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Innovation doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built. In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Andy Polk is joined by Alan Lugo and Michael Seeley of Liminal Group to introduce the Footwear Launchpad, a new initiative created with the Footwear Innovation Foundation to unlock breakthrough ideas from across the globe. They discuss how the program is expanding access for emerging talent and startups, while redefining how the footwear industry approaches innovation, collaboration, and growth. #FootwearInnovation #IndustryGrowth #StartupEcosystem #ShoeInShow #FootwearTechnology
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Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) reposted this
Ahhh...the blessings of technology. Had the privilege of virtually speaking last night at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam's 2025 Vietnam-U.S. Trade Forum in HCM. The relationship with Vietnam for our industry is more critically important than ever before. Some things to note... 🔢By the numbers: Vietnam’s role in U.S. footwear sourcing has surged over the past two decades. 💥Import volume has exploded. U.S. footwear imports from Vietnam jumped from ~50 million pairs twenty years ago to more than 620 million pairs this year — rising in 20 of the last 22 years. 📖Import value tells the same story. Dollar value climbed from under $500 million to about $10.2 billion this year, also increasing 20 of the last 22 years. 📈Vietnam’s market share keeps expanding. Its share of U.S. footwear imports rose from 2.2% in 2004 to a record 28.8% this year — growing faster than global footwear shipments overall. I've heard for nearly 17 years that there's no capacity left in Vietnam for footwear production...still waiting for space to max out.
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Wishing everyone a great FFANY Market Week! Explore this week’s participating brands in our FFANY Directory: https://lnkd.in/gsrC7bJS
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