Shoe-In – Details, episodes & analysis

What does the footwear industry's latest inventory surge reveal about broader economic trends? In this episode of Shoe In Show, hosts Matt Priest and Gary Raines dive deep into inventory strategies amidst evolving consumer behavior and tariffs. With inventory levels hitting a two-year high, they explore how data collection from publicly traded companies is informing industry outlooks. Discover the implications for retailers and consumers in a dynamic market shaped by unexpected events.

WSJ Article referenced in the episode

With special guest:
Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA

Hosted by:
Matt Priest

What do ski lifts, 90s boots, and flat-earth challenges have in common? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Tim Boyle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Sportswear, joins the conversation to share stories that span nostalgia, innovation, and leadership. Tim reflects on the legacy and relaunch of the iconic Bugaboot, how Columbia continues to push product innovation forward, and what it's taken to reimagine brands for a new generation. Along the way, he offers a candid look at his leadership philosophy, brand storytelling, and what's next for footwear. Tune in for laughs, lessons, and an inside look at how great brands honor their past while building for the future.   With special guest: Tim Boyle, Chairman & CEO, Columbia Sportswear   Hosted by: Matt Priest and Andy Polk

Are consumers pinching pennies or powering through? In this episode of the Shoe-In Show, FDRA Chief Economist Gary Raines joins Andy Polk to break down the latest data on spending, sentiment, and retail behavior. From diluted toothpaste to record credit card debt, Gary reveals what small signals say about a jittery consumer—and how brands can plan smarter amid economic uncertainty and flawed government stats. Tune in for practical insights, market trends, and strategic takeaways to help you navigate 2026 with confidence.

With special guest:

Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA

Hosted by:

Andy Polk, FDRA

Supply chain expert extraordinaire Pete Mento stops by Shoe-In to discuss the latest developments in the Red Sea crisis and how the crisis is impacting the footwear supply chain. As a former Merchant Marine Officer himself, Pete holds no punches as he explains his expectations for the continuing crisis and what's in store for container pricing in the coming year. If you ship shoes anywhere in the world, you don't want to miss this conversation.

With special guest:

Pete Mento, Commercial Director, DSV

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Andy Polk

In the latest episode of Shoe-In, Matt and Sandi welcome the return of Sam Poser, an equity analyst with Williams Trading. Holding no punches, Sam discusses the continued dominance of comfort in design and delves into the importance of customer knowledge and proper product distribution in retail. Advocating for a 'less is more' approach, Sam offers insights into successful footwear brands, attributing their achievements to a combination of relevant, consistently refreshed products, and a profound understanding of their customer base.

With special guest:

Sam Poser, Equity Analyst, Williams Trading

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

Industry icon Susan Itzkowitz, president of Marc Fisher Footwear, stopped by Shoe-In to discuss her collaborative approach to leadership and the importance of empowering your team as a leader and mentor in our industry. Susan also explores her forecast for 2024 and the importance of building a culture that is collaborative, creative, and handles challenges head-on. Make sure you listen to this episode. You won't be disappointed!

With special guest:

Susan Itzkowitz, Marc Fisher Footwear

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Sandi Mines

This week we are joined by Kizik CEO Monte Deere as he discusses the brand's atmospheric rise over the past few years. Monte also shares his journey into the footwear industry and explains how Kizik's revolutionary hands-free shoes are changing the way we think about fit and function. Tune in to hear Monte's key insights and big plans for his rapidly growing shoe brand.

With special guest:

Monte Deere, CEO, Kizik

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

On this episode of Shoe-In Show podcast, presented by FDRA, Matt and Thomas head to Capitol Hill to check-in with Congressman Jared Moskowitz of Florida's 23rd Congressional District. As the founder of the Congressional Sneaker Caucus, Congressman Moskowitz shares why he loves sneakers so much and the importance they play in American society and culture. He also explains how the focus of the Congressional Sneaker Caucus is to bring together different people from various backgrounds and generations, promote bipartisanship, and relate to the younger generations. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

With special guest:

Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)

Hosted by:

Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett

Join us as we chat with Billy Price, cofounder of BILLY Footwear. Billy shares one of our most inspiring "shoe stories" of all time as he overcame a terrible accident to create an innovative shoe company focused on functional need and stylish designs. Consumers and retailers have responded in a powerful way to the amazing offerings BILLY Footwear provides. Something tells us they're just getting started.

With special guest:

Billy Price, Co-Founder, BILLY Footwear

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest

In this great episode Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of OrthoLite, shares his unique view on current and coming trends, and how brands can navigate continued change. We discuss how transparency, innovation, compliance and supply chain agility are all going to be major factors in 2024.

With special guest:

Glenn Barrett, Founder and CEO, OrthoLite

Hosted by:

Andy Polk and Matt Priest