[MNJ83]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/footwe...nd-american-made-luxury-shoes-1202680883/amp/

From the article:

"According to Caleres CEO, president and chairman Diane Sullivan, the modern Allen Edmonds is more focused on inclusivity than exclusivity. "Allen Edmonds shoes have been something men aspire to - shoes they buy when they've achieved a certain station in life," she said. "[Now we want to] make Allen Edmonds part of the journey, part of his lifestyle along the way."

This is exactly why people buy shoe that now retail past 400.00 dollars. For "inclusivity". Caleres CEO is literally saying AE is no longer something to aspire to.

In order for me to ever buy something from them ever again, they will literally have to have a sale of such magnitude that firsts in the Independence line will go down to 25 dollars. As if I am already not disgusted by their terrible QC, their new terrible CS while simultaneously increasing prices, their new vapid advertising, this one really takes the cake. "Inclusive" shoes. Stupidest thing I have ever heard. If I wanted inclusive shoes I would buy some Crocks. Caleres is hell bend on turning AE into Cole Haan.

 

[Matt S]

It sounds like they want people to know that you can wear their shoes without those horrid things called socks. :crazy:

 

[drlivingston]

I smell a diffusion line coming soon.

 

[SG_67]

At this point I don’t even know why we’re discussing this dying, if not already dead, brand. There’s really nothing aspirational about AE and I don’t think they’ve ever made any allusion to being so. I’m not sure I’ve ever aspired to own shoes with coloration and faux patina that look as though it was done by a high school student in crafts class.

There are so many better shoes, both domestic and foreign made, to choose from. We don’t discuss J&M or Cole Haan that much. I think soon enough, Allen Edmonds will occupy a similar place in our thoughts.

 

[FLMike]

I think the following is a smart move. I always thought private label apparel was a dead end for them. Too much like J&M.

"Aside from its visual identity, Allen Edmonds has also revamped its product strategy: It is exiting the private-label business in all non-shoe categories in favor of long-term collaborations with other U.S.-made accessories brands."

I know it's popular to bash AE on this Forum, but so far, Caleres hasn't made any of the moves that we were nervous about them making when the acquisition was announced. Offshoring production, selling a diffusion line through their Famous Footwear stores, expanding the apparel offering, etc.

So far, all I've seen them do is add a few more sneakers to the line up. Look around....they're not the only ones.

 

[drlivingston]

I think the following is a smart move. I always thought private label apparel was a dead end for them. Too much like J&M.

"Aside from its visual identity, Allen Edmonds has also revamped its product strategy: It is exiting the private-label business in all non-shoe categories in favor of long-term collaborations with other U.S.-made accessories brands."

I know it's popular to bash AE on this Forum, but so far, Caleres hasn't made any of the moves that we were nervous about them making when the acquisition was announced. Offshoring production, selling a diffusion line through their Famous Footwear stores, expanding the apparel offering, etc.

So far, all I've seen them do is add a few more sneakers to the line up. Look around....they're not the only ones.

I agree... I always thought the apparel lines were a senseless diversion from their main focus. Make the shoes and collaborate with others to make the soft goods. As far as adding more sneakers, with businesses becoming increasingly casual, that's a good move. Even John Lobb is offering more casual footwear.

 

[FLMike]

As if I am already not disgusted by their terrible QC,.....

Dude, life's too short to waste that kind of negative emotion on a shoe brand. Just don't buy AEs and try to enjoy life. By the way, what did you end up deciding about the arm band?

 

[MNJ83]

Dude, life's too short to waste that kind of negative emotion on a shoe brand. Just don't buy AEs and try to enjoy life. By the way, what did you end up deciding about the arm band?

No negative emotion, just disappointing. My first "proper" shoes where AE. I have pairs from 2/3 years ago that I still use that look like they where made by a different company.

I wear it on Sunday's and Whenever I have a Requiem Mass said.

 

[Hebrew Barrister]

I think the following is a smart move. I always thought private label apparel was a dead end for them. Too much like J&M.

"Aside from its visual identity, Allen Edmonds has also revamped its product strategy: It is exiting the private-label business in all non-shoe categories in favor of long-term collaborations with other U.S.-made accessories brands."

I know it's popular to bash AE on this Forum, but so far, Caleres hasn't made any of the moves that we were nervous about them making when the acquisition was announced. Offshoring production, selling a diffusion line through their Famous Footwear stores, expanding the apparel offering, etc.

So far, all I've seen them do is add a few more sneakers to the line up. Look around....they're not the only ones.

I have zero issues with them adding products to help boost profitability. Too many on here have some idealogically pure view of shoe manufacturers requiring that they ONLY make welted dress shoes.

If AE keeps the same quality on their existing products (and maybe fixes some QC issues) and wants to add cheaper lines and sneakers? Have at it.

 

[drlivingston]

I have zero issues with them adding products to help boost profitability. Too many on here have some idealogically pure view of shoe manufacturers requiring that they ONLY make welted dress shoes.

If AE keeps the same quality on their existing products (and maybe fixes some QC issues) and wants to add cheaper lines and sneakers? Have at it.

Sounds like what was probably heard at a 1994 Cole Haan board meeting...

 

[Hebrew Barrister]

Sounds like what was probably heard at a 1994 Cole Haan board meeting...

You know, Cole Haan gets a bad rep. Are they quality welted shoes? Hell no. But they serve a purpose. Bought on sale for under $100, they look like a quality shoe (provided a classic style of purchased) from a few feet away. Many cheap shoes look cheap from any distance.

 

[MNJ83]

I have zero issues with them adding products to help boost profitability. Too many on here have some idealogically pure view of shoe manufacturers requiring that they ONLY make welted dress shoes.

If AE keeps the same quality on their existing products (and maybe fixes some QC issues) and wants to add cheaper lines and sneakers? Have at it.

And pretty soon the majority of what they make will be cheaper lines and sneakers. They are embracing those shoes as part of their identity. Has this same scenario not played out with every other American Shoe company?

They have always had lesser lines along with their shoes, but you have it right from the horses mouth (the CEO) that they want to make AE "inclusive" vs. exclusive. And reimage their "stodgy boys club image". That says volumes about where they are taking the brand.

Oh well, like @SG_67 said, time to just move on and never look back. AE is now lost to the dustbin of history. Sad to see, but it is what it is. Just Alden for USA made from now on I guess.

 

[Hebrew Barrister]

And pretty soon the majority of what they make will be cheaper lines and sneakers. They are embracing those shoes as part of their identity. Has this same scenario not played out with every other American Shoe company?

They have always had lesser lines along with their shoes, but you have it right from the horses mouth (the CEO) that they want to make AE "inclusive" vs. exclusive. And reimage their "stodgy boys club image". That says volumes about where they are taking the brand.

Oh well, like @SG_67 said, time to just move on and never look back. AE is now lost to the dustbin of history. Sad to see, but it is what it is. Just Alden for USA made from now on I guess.

They still sell all their old models and you already write them off? Over what YOU think they will do in the future?

 

[FLMike]

They have always had lesser lines along with their shoes, but you have it right from the horses mouth (the CEO) that they want to make AE "inclusive" vs. exclusive. And reimage their "stodgy boys club image". That says volumes about where they are taking the brand.

I'd say it says volumes about where our culture is at this moment in time. It's just the latest in PC-speak, meant to appeal to as broad a demographic as possible. I think you may be reading a bit too much into her comments.

Oh well, like @SG_67 said, time to just move on and never look back. AE is now lost to the dustbin of history. Sad to see, but it is what it is. Just Alden for USA made from now on I guess.

Holy drama queen...

 

[medhat]

Corporations are in the business of maximizing shareholder return, and perhaps for private equity, that goal is in all caps. If "American made" is the route to get there, fine, but it certainly isn't the destination, regardless of what some fancy rebranding campaign might suggest. For me, I'm more than flush with a closet of AEs which I love, and are likely to last me more or less forever. I may look at their other offerings here and there, although their expressed direction is probably not consistent with my tastes. Who knows, they may very well catch onto a much larger audience, and if that's the case good luck to them.

 

[Fading Fast]

I'd say it says volumes about where our culture is at this moment in time. It's just the latest in PC-speak, meant to appeal to as broad a demographic as possible.....

Growing up in the late '60s / '70s, the more successful one's parents were, the more achievements they had reflected well on you - the children. I'm very proud of my dad, but as high-school grad (maybe, never found a diploma), I could tell the different respect sons and daughters of doctors, lawyers, owners of businesses, college professors received.

Now it is almost the reverse, where you are considered to have had an unfair advantage if your parents were high achievers, but if you pulled yourself up from modest (and tougher) situations, you are tremendously respected.

I think the above is reasonably factual (but I get that it isn't 2+2=4, so maybe it's more my opinion of how society has changed, i.e., I very well could be wrong).

That was all a preamble to my guess that AE's new CEO is trying to position the company with the prevailing cultural zeitgeist. This quote -

"Allen Edmonds shoes have been something men aspire to - shoes they buy when they've achieved a certain station in life," she said. "[Now we want to] make Allen Edmonds part of the journey, part of his lifestyle along the way."​

seems to me to be saying (in code), we are not a symbol of the old "patriarchal system" ("station in life"), but are a tool / a resource to help you on your journey / to help you with your experiences - all very Millennial.

Today it is completely acceptable to strive to achieve, but interestingly, in many cases, those who have achieved are not lauded for that. Hence, AE wants to align itself with the acceptable act of striving and distance itself from the not acceptable state of having achieved (especially, if you are part of the old "power structure" of success).

My guess, the company will, eventually, go the Cole Hann route as it is the only way to get the type of growth pure investors (versus passionate-about-the-brand's-legacy single owners) want. But for now, her comments, speak to aligning the company's marketing and brand "position" with the current culture vibe.

 

[FLMike]

Corporations are in the business of maximizing shareholder return, and perhaps for private equity, that goal is in all caps.

AE is not owned by private equity. Its parent is the old Brown Shoe Company, publicly traded.

 

[drlivingston]

You know, Cole Haan gets a bad rep. Are they quality welted shoes? Hell no. But they serve a purpose. Bought on sale for under $100, they look like a quality shoe (provided a classic style of purchased) from a few feet away. Many cheap shoes look cheap from any distance.

Go back and look at US-made Cole Haan green label shoes and compare them to their current offerings. Then, you might appreciate the intent of my original comment.

 

[mrkleen]

Without being privy to their books, none of us can say what their bottom like really looks like. As long as they continue to produce a well made higher end, I have no concerns with what they do with their entry level lines.

Nearly every manufacturer has "levels", and like it or not - the growth of the business is not in the shoes most on this board gravitate towards. Adapt or die.

 

[smmrfld]

As long as they continue to produce a well made higher end, I have no concerns with what they do with their entry level lines.

IME and that of many others, they have ceased producing a "well made higher end".