Heidi Klum’s Sackful of Shoes

See Models, what they project and what they follow

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Zappos CEO Built a Footwear Empire One Shoebox at a Time

Source: abcnews.com on July 08.2008

HOW ZAPPOS BUILD THE FOOTWEAR ONLINE BUSINESS

Online shopping Web site Zappos is doing for shoes what Amazon did for books: trying to revolutionize not only how business is done but how people work.

The name is an adaptation of the Spanish word for “shoe.” This year, nine years after going into business, Zappos is on track to sell $1 billion worth of shoes.

Read the complete story http://www.abcnews.go.com/Business/Story?id=5326827&page=1

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http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5328179

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CrocsRx – Custom Cloud Molded Shoe gets CMS approval

Source:

Link: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/daily-textile-industries-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=60239

Custom Cloud Molded Shoe gets CMS approval

July 23, 2008 (USA)

CrocsRx, the medical division of Crocs Inc, announced the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has accepted the Custom Cloud model into the diabetic shoe program. Acceptance by the CMS validates the superior benefits of Croslite material, Crocs proprietary closed-cell resin, as the Custom Cloud is the first molded shoe to receive an approved code verification from the organization. Effective immediately, medical professionals can fit the more than 23 million Americans suffering from diabetes in the CrocsRx Custom Cloud. The approved shoe comes with three pairs of heat moldable orthotic insoles and is fitted by a professional practitioner, to offer long-term relief for foot ailments related to the disease. Recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association with its distinguished Seal of Acceptance, the Custom Cloud offers diabetic patients several advantages over traditional specialty footwear. Among the most notable benefit is the customized fit that stems from the Croslite Ag+ material. Croslite Ag+ material expands upon the comfort attributes inherent to Croslite material while adding anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and odor resistant nano-Silver ceramic crystals. Moreover, patients find the Custom Cloud to be easier to slip on, easier to keep clean and that the shoe weighs less than other specialty medical footwear styles accepted by CMS. The Custom Cloud is available in three color combinations including Navy, Black and Chocolate in men’s size 4-13.5 and women’s size 6-13.5, with four width offerings. “We are thrilled with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid’s decision to include CrocsRx footwear in the Medicare program,” stated Eddie Scott, Director of CrocsRx. “CMS acceptance is an enormous accomplishment as this governing body completed an extensive review of clinical and historical performance data and found Croslite material to be a suitable alternative to existing specialty leather footwear.”

Crocs Inc

Crocs, Inc. Launches Escalator Safety Awareness Initiative

Source:Marketwatch.com

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/crocs-inc-launches-escalator-safety/story.aspx?guid={B2103EC4-5541-4C66-AF76-F15C50E504BC}&dist=hppr

Jul 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Crocs, Inc.

CROX announced plans to launch an escalator safety awareness initiative over the course of the next year. The first steps will include the addition of consumer education messages regarding escalator safety to hang tags on Crocs(TM) shoes sold worldwide as well as supporting organizations that further the cause of safe escalator maintenance and use.

Hang tags with educational escalator safety messages will begin to appear on Crocs shoes sold through Crocs retailers and company-owned outlets, including its online store ( www.crocs.com) within the next few months. The company plans to have the educational hang tag fully implemented by the rollout of its Spring 2009 line.

Existing hang tags affixed to Crocs(TM) shoes already explain how to care for and clean Crocs(TM) footwear, and also provide information on the company’s SolesUnited(SM) shoe recycling and donation program ( www.solesunited.com). New language added to the hang tags reminds consumers to use care when riding escalators and moving walkways, while providing these specific tips:

– Stand facing forward in the center of the step

– Step on and off carefully

– Do not touch sides below handrail

– Avoid the sides of the steps where shoe entrapment can occur

– Supervise children at all times

“Consumer safety is very important to us,” said Ron Snyder, President and CEO of Crocs, Inc. “Escalator entrapments have occurred for more than 40 years, far longer than Crocs has been in business, and these accidents often are preventable. Because the Crocs brand is so visible and so popular around the world, we have an opportunity to reach millions of consumers of all ages, including parents, with educational messages that will help draw attention to this important issue.”

Although tens of millions of pairs of Crocs(TM) shoes have been sold in the United States during the past five years, an analysis of nationwide safety data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, conducted by Crocs, shows there has been no corresponding increase in the frequency of escalator shoe entrapment injuries.

Industry experts believe many entrapments can be easily prevented by implementing safety requirements in the area of escalator design and maintenance. For instance, as has been documented in testing done by others, including the CPSC, shoe and foot entrapments can be prevented by proper routine escalator maintenance, including periodic lubrication of escalator side panels with silicone or other lubricants.

Additionally, industry experts such as Joseph Stabler, a St. Louis-based escalator inspector and consultant, believe entrapments would be greatly reduced by requiring utilization of existing safety technology. “A number of escalator entrapments occur at the side of the step,” Stabler said. “These can be dramatically reduced by requiring the installation of step safety sideplates. Some escalators already utilize step safety sideplate technology so it’s something that simply would need to be implemented as a matter of course.”

Therefore, one of the future goals of this initiative is to push for changes in elevator/escalator safety code regulations regarding the design, installation and maintenance of escalators. Crocs hopes to work with or support organizations that share this important safety objective. Any organizations fitting this description can contact Crocs at publicrelations@crocs.com for further information.

Crocs is hopeful its efforts in this area will help further the cause of escalator safety and ultimately reduce the number of escalator entrapments around the world.

Flirty footwear can flirt with pain

Source: thebrooklynsun

July23. 2008

Do you have your eye on that ultra-flat, strappy sandal? Think flip-flops are simply the most comfortable shoe ever invented?

The article by Dawn Aulet in Brooklysun looks at this issue

Link: TheBolingbrookSun.com

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