Retailers teaming with athletes could be the future. Here is some news on recent moves made by Footlocker.
Woolworth's Lady Foot Locker, Saucony, and the World's Fastest Female Athlete, Florence Griffith Joyner, Form Strategic Alliance
January 16, 1998
NEW YORK, -- Lady Foot Locker, a division of Woolworth Corporation (NYSE: Z), and Saucony, a division of Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: HYDEA, HYDEB), announced today an exclusive retail marketing partnership with the world's fastest female athlete - Florence Griffith Joyner, "Flo Jo". Lady Foot Locker will work closely with Saucony and Flo Jo to develop and retail an exclusive footwear and apparel collection. The partnership also includes a myriad of marketing programs, such as advertising, in-store and grassroots events.
"Flo Jo will be instrumental in the creative design and development of her collection and will work closely with our buyers and designers," said Bill DeVries, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Athletic Footwear and Apparel Division of Woolworth Corporation. "Her unique sense of style and flair coupled with her athletic and active lifestyle makes her an ideal partner for Lady Foot Locker."
Saucony signed Flo Jo to their roster of professional athletes at the end of 1997. Aside from Flo Jo's athletic achievements, she is an accomplished fashion designer, the first woman ever appointed to chair the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and she is the Co-founder of the Florence Griffith Joyner Youth Foundation with her husband, Olympic Gold medalist Al Joyner.
"We brought Florence to our team not only for her value as one of the world's most admired women, but also for her expertise in fashion and apparel design," said Art Rogers, President of Saucony North America. "Flo Jo is still renowned as the world's fastest woman and her association with Saucony will enable us to solidify our strong franchise with female athletes. We are excited to work with the Lady Foot Locker team on this product and marketing initiative as they are a preferred destination for women's athletic products."
Hyde Athletic Industries, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad line of performance oriented athletic footwear products for adults under the Saucony and Spot-bilt brand names. The Company's Saucony products include running, walking, cross-training and outdoor trail shoes while its Spot-bilt products include footwear for coaches
and officials. The Company's Quintana Roo products include triathlon bicycles, mountain bicycles, road bicycles and triathlon wetsuits. The Company's textile products are marketed under the Saucony, Dave Scott, and Hind brand names.
With more than 650 stores across the country, Lady Foot Locker is the largest national athletic specialty retailer devoted exclusively to women and is part of the Athletic Footwear and Apparel Division of Woolworth Corporation. Woolworth Corporation is a diversified retailer operating more than 7,100 retail stores in 13 countries in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Through its athletic group of specialty retail formats, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports stores, as well as, its direct marketer Eastbay, the Company is a leading provider of athletic footwear, apparel
and equipment.
SOURCE Woolworth Corporation |
