Saucony Surges To Lead In Specialty Running Market Survey

Posted: 06/15/2009 In Category: Fitness Manufacturer

Industry News Release Written By: Jeff Lawrence

LEXINGTON, MA (June 15, 2009) Further substantiating its marketplace momentum, Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, has earned three first place rankings in the Sports Marketing Surveys’ Spring 2009 Running Specialty Store Retail Sales Survey. In the biannual independent survey, which serves as a recognized barometer for brand momentum in the U.S specialty running retail environment, Saucony surged ahead of the pack, taking first place in Brand Strength Forecast, Market Strength Forecast and the Dealer Confidence Index.

The Running Specialty Store Sales Survey concluded the following about Saucony:

• Saucony ranks #1 in the survey’s Brand Strength Forecast, reflecting the strength of a brand in the stores that carry that brand.

• Saucony took top billing in the survey’s Market Strength Forecast, a measure of a brand’s predicted strength expressed by all running specialty retailers within the entire panel, regardless of whether they carry the brand in their stores.

• Saucony also ranks #1 in the survey’s Dealer Confidence Index, a measure of retailers’ overall impressions of each brand.

“Our specialty retail partners have always been a critical component of our brand’s growth and success,” said Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony. “With a relentless focus on great product, exciting marketing programs and superior service, we’re committed to further engaging with our retailers to inspire every runner, on every run, on every day. This survey confirms that our efforts are paying off in the specialty running market,” added Woodworth.

Rankings were determined from in-depth phone interviews with 75 specialty running store owners, buyers and managers nationwide. Retailers answered questions and gave quantitative and qualitative ratings regarding brand share, future sales forecast and running shoe technologies for a number of performance running brands

The survey’s results illustrate only part of Saucony’s growing momentum in the running industry: In May, the Saucony ProGrid™ Omni 8 won the coveted Editor’s Choice Award from Runner’s World in the publication’s annual Summer Shoe Guide special. Besides this latest recognition from Runner’s World, the brand was also recently awarded “Best Update” for the ProGrid Stabil CS; “Best Buy” for the ProGrid Ride; and “Best Debut” for the ProGrid Echelon from the Runner’s World editors.

For Media Inquiries: Jeff Lawrence at Mullen: 978-468-8945 or jeff.lawrence@mullen.com, or Sharon Barbano at Saucony: 617-824-6126 or sharon.barbano@saucony.com.

About Saucony, Inc.: Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands and a division of The Stride Rite Corporation is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.: Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to
consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units as well as multiple price points
and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its more than 4,500-store retail chain; Stride Rite, focused on lifestyle and athletic branded footwear and high-quality children’s footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit. Information about each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at http://www.collectivebrands.com.
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