Quiksilver Expands Footwear Offerings
Surf industry observers said it was just a matter of time before surfwear giant Quiksilver Inc. entered the men’s footwear market. Last month, the Huntington Beach, Calif.–based apparel maker rolled out a new line of sneakers.
Quiksilver’s men’s footwear is not licensed. The line is being manufactured at Quiksilver’s factory in China, the company said.
The line features seven models of shoes in 41 color combinations that include gold, black, navy and gray. Some shoes have contrast colors on their outer soles, which are made of a green gum rubber. Others recall classic runners or indoor-soccer shoes.
“It’s more lifestyle—not geared toward skateboarding or anything like that,” explained Quiksilver’s men’s footwear salesman, Joe Lazar. “Quiksilver has evolved over the years from a boardshort company to a lifestyle brand. We can dress a Quiksilver customer from head to toe now.”
Sizes come in 7 to 13. Retail prices range from $56 to $80. The line will be sold at Quiksilver’s flagship stores, at Jack’s Surfboards and Huntington Surf and Sport in Huntington Beach, and at Val Surf in Los Angeles.
Quiksilver has sold men’s sandals for approximately three years. The company launched the Roxy footwear line five years ago. Last year, footwear accounted for 4 percent of Quiksilver’s annual sales of $706 million, the company said. —Claudia Figueroa
