Latest news with #AirMaxDn8
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DTLR CEO Todd Kirssin on Continued Retail Expansion and Why DEI Is ‘Organic' at the Retailer
The year is still young, but it has already featured moments to remember for DTLR. The lifestyle retailer, which was acquired by JD Sports in February 2021, opened its 250th store this past February, a 6,000-square-foot location at Reisterstown Road Plaza in Baltimore. The location is fitting, as DTLR was founded in the Maryland city in 1982. More from WWD JD Sports CEO Warns on 'Volatile' Year Ahead, Declines to Comment on Trump Tariffs Following Q4 Gains JD Sports Still 'Bullish' on Nike as It Helps Launch the Air Max Dn8 Sneakers in NYC Shoe Retailers Can't Stop Talking About Nike: Is That a Good Sign for the Swoosh's Recovery? It was designed under its new NextGen concept, introduced in late 2023, which includes modern enhancements to offer consumers an elevated experience such as digital tickers, neon signage and highlighted areas in the footwear wall. The milestone moment, however, occurred during challenging time for retail. Aside from the economic instability that all businesses are facing, the current presidential administration has targeted diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts that has resulted in program rollbacks and more. DTLR has long been an advocate for, and worked with, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Here, chief executive officer Todd Kirssin — a 25-plus year company veteran who was elevated to the role in September 2023 — shares brick-and-mortar growth goals with FN and organically supporting diversity both internally and with its consumers. DTLR opened its 250th store mid-February. What does this say about the company's health? 'We're in expansion mode, approximately low double-digit store growth for the year. The 250th store was in Baltimore where DTLR was started — and ironically also where I started in the business — and was a super special moment for us. It was nostalgic and it pays homage to our roots in Baltimore and our success in the DMV, our hometown, our home area. The reason we're very successful as a retailer is because the consumer here is so fast and we have to always keep up with their needs, their wants and their desires: fast-fashion, latest and greatest. That's helps us stay so entrenched in the other markets we serve as well.' Could you offer more details into brick-and-mortar expansion plans? Is there an ideal store count increase for 2025? Are there regions that you are under-penetrated in? 'The plan is to open up approximately 20 stores this year. We're looking to backfill a lot of our existing cities and states. We're opening up some more stores in Georgia, Maryland, northern Florida, Ohio, and Philadelphia.' What makes your home DMV region so special? 'It's our consumer. We're blessed to have this consumer with an insatiable appetite for looking good, looking for the next thing to make them stand out and their expression through their footwear and apparel and accessories, from head-to-toe. That challenges our merchant team to constantly try to fill those desires.' What is today's DTLR consumer shopping for? 'Sneakers. I always say it's the obtainable Mercedes in a way. You could buy a pair of sneakers for $100 to $200 and it makes our customers feel really good, they feel special when they're putting that shoe on. It makes them stand out. They're looking for color, they're looking for comfort now more than ever. Differentiation, something special. Standout materials like metallics or bright neon colors. And then it radiates from the foot up.' It appears as if DTLR's relationship with New Balance has always been strong, given all the collaborations and retailer exclusives you've sold. How has your relationship with New Balance, which is red-hot at the moment, been invaluable? 'Our relationship is very time tested, going back in our 45-year history. We've always had relationships with New Balance, it was always a great brand going back to [the early popularity of] 996s and 1300s in Baltimore and Washington [D.C.], so we were always playing with the brand and footwear and a little bit of apparel here and there. They've gotten this huge run up the last three years, a lot of retailers were like running and chasing them, but you have DTLR that's always been there, that's always worked with them, in the good times and the not as hot times with the brand. Those relationships run deep and they're true, all the way from senior leadership a New Balance to our reps and customer service.' What other footwear brands are your consumers looking for? 'We always have heritage brands, authentic brands like the Timberlands of the world, Nike and Jordan and Adidas. And Ugg would be one of them. We've been an Ugg retailer for over 25 years, we're one of the first that adopted Ugg. We started with two stores and now we're growing that business, it's a huge mainstay for us, not only fall and holiday, but also spring and summer. And then you have Saucony, a heritage brand. We're always looking for the ones that bubble up and make some noise and try to be the first ones on those brands, like a Saucony or an Asics, that is delivering color, something special that has heritage and has authenticity.' DEI efforts in this country are changing dramatically after being a target of the current presidential administration, but DTLR has long been an advocate for diversity and has worked directly with HBCUs. How are today's DEI conversations impacting DTLR? 'We're a very diverse company in our senior leadership team all the way down. It's something we're very proud of. We want to make sure that we're very inclusive as a senior team to make sure everybody's heard and to understand the lens of our consumer. We give back and do community outreach through HBCUs, CIAA [Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association], and the events that we do are always through that lens of our consumer. And especially with HBCUs, when we try to hire we recruit from the campuses. We talk through our actions. We do this organically through our actions and our leadership. We don't do things just to do them and say that we're a diverse company. We just walk the walk.' Looking ahead, what will the story of DTLR be by year's end? 'I took the helm approximately a year ago, and under our new leadership team, we've done a lot of great foundational work with our new store concept. That is one of our biggest wins, our NextGen store concept, which has been super successful. It's giving us better engagement with our consumer, more capacity and density in store, better brand call outs, better gender call outs, more opportunity to cross merchandise. That's been a huge success for our visual merchandising team and for our buying team. And then we're focused on marketing and community outreach and engaging with our consumer to be as relevant as we can and stay relevant, stay top of mind. We're building that out with our social media, along with all the other things that we do to continue to speak to the consumer, to highlight products, special makeups that differentiate DTLR from our competition in this space.' Best of WWD Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos] Crocs Collaborations From Celebrities & Big Brands You Should Know
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
March 26 is Air Max Day, celebrating Nike's iconic cushioned kicks
Air Max Day, celebrated annually on March 26, commemorates the debut of Nike's revolutionary Air Max 1 sneaker — which dates all the way back in 1987. The original Air Max introduced the world to those visible air pockets of cushioning. We won't lie: We wanted them immediately. The history of Air Max Day This annual holiday was first established by Nike in 2014 to commemorate the evolution and cultural impact of the Air Max line. And each year, Nike marks the holiday with special releases and events that honor the shoe's legacy. This year, Nike has already proven their commitment to continuing the Air Max tradition by unveiling the Air Max Dn8. In addition, Nike is collaborating with several renowned boutiques to offer exclusive editions. For instance, Burn Rubber Detroit has announced the release of the Air Max Dn8 "Green Strike" on Air Max Day, available both online and via their app. As you can see, since its inception, Air Max Day has grown into a global celebration that unites sneaker enthusiasts everywhere. The to celebrate Air Max Day Don't worry; you don't have to buy a new pair of shoes just to partake in the Air Max Day festivities. (It's also OK if you don't even wear Nikes!) Sneaker enthusiasts can enjoy in the festivities by: Get moving. Put on your sneakers — any sneakers, but Air Max if you have them — and get moving. Sneakers are designed for exercise, so using them as intended seems like a perfect way to honor the holiday to us. As Nike would say… Just do it. Explore the Air Max collaborations and history. We've gathered plenty of current examples of classic Air Max shoes here, but if you're a true sneakerhead, you can go deeper. We loved looking through this Sotheby's auction of Nike memorabilia — including Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman's handmade shoes from 1960 — to get a sense for the deeper history of the brand. Similar deep dives abound online. Engage with the community. Share your favorite Air Max stories and collections on social media using #AirMaxDay. Visit your local retailers. If a brand new pair of Nike shoes is your one true desire, we won't stop you. You can support local sneaker shops participating in Air Max Day events and releases buy shopping on this day. Air Max Day 2025 not only honors the legacy of a groundbreaking sneaker but also invites fans worldwide to celebrate the marriage of sport and style that Nike's Air Max captures — today, and for the past thirty years.
USA Today
14-03-2025
- USA Today
Nike Air Max Dn8: Are they worth it?
Have you owned sporting gear by Nike at some point in your life? Probably. Love 'em or hate 'em, they make good quality activewear and leisure gear. When it comes to sneakers, Air Force 1s reign supreme. They're timeless, accessible, and worn by everyday people and legendary athletes like Lebron James. If you're after a classic (or, dare I say, basic) sneaker, Air Force 1s are a solid pick. Iconic, sure, but they don't exactly push the envelope when it comes to design. That's where Nike's Air Max Dn8 comes in. With Dynamic Air cushioning and a bold, wavy silhouette, these are one of Nike's more experimental releases. But are they a game-changer or just another Air Max remix? Nike Air Max Dn8 The Air Max Dn8 sneaker is a bold shoe with superior cushioning. BUY NOW at Nike What are Dynamic Air shoes? Nike's Air Max line has always been about—you guessed it—air. That cloud-like, cushioned feel is pretty much their whole raison d'être, and Nike is continually innovating and testing new ways to make its sneakers as airy as possible. The 'Dn' in Air Max Dn8 stands for Dynamic Air units, Nike's latest evolution in cushioning tech. Unlike static air pockets, these pressurized chambers actively shift with each step, adapting to movement for a smoother ride. Each dual-pressure air unit consists of two chambers, each housing two tubes. The rear tubes hold higher pressure, 15 psi, while the front tubes sit at a lower 5 psi, allowing air to flow freely between them. This dynamic setup responds to movement in real-time, naturally adjusting pressure as you walk. Dynamic Air units were first introduced last year in the original Air Max Dn, which included four dual-chamber tubes on the heel. The look: A statement sneaker At first glance, the Dn8 stands out as a statement sneaker, with a wavy outsole that wraps around the air units, creating a dynamic silhouette. The best way to describe it would be somewhere between an Air Max 96 revival and an On Cloud lookalike. It has that chunky yet structured body of the former, but a similar ridged outsole as the latter. The Dn8 borrows cues, sure, but it's far from a carbon copy—it commands attention, offering a modern take on Air Max heritage Style quirks Whereas others in the Air lineup will disguise the signature air tubes within the sole, the Dn8 incorporates its Dynamic Air into the design. Air Max branding appears on the tongue, heel, insole, and outsole, with the back heel logo a subtle nod to the Nike tech era. Materials and breathability As the name suggests, the Air Max Dn8 keeps things breezy with a lightweight mesh upper and open, mesh panels on the sides for flexibility and breathability. It's a smart move for a sneaker built for all-day wear—because no one wants sweaty feet, no matter how good the cushioning is. Colorways The shoe first launched in an aptly titled Hyper Pink—a bold choice for sure, but would you expect anything less to be paired with such an unapologetic design? After all, if you're going to wear a shoe that shows off bubbly air chambers, it might as well be pink. Fortunately for the color-shy, there are more colorways en route. The feel: Comfort and squish Do you notice the Dynamic Air? Yes and no. The tubes are fine-tuned with higher air pressure on the outer two tubes and lower in the insole, which allows for a very subtle squish while moving. It's not as bouncy as something like the Pegasus Premium because it doesn't have that ReactX foam that's typically more 'cloud-like', but you'll feel a bit of that Dynamic Air at play in the heel. Ultimately, you won't notice too much. But like any article of clothing you don't think twice about, that's just proof that it's doing its job. Fit and comfort Most reviews currently clock it as a true-to-size fit, though some say it's a bit narrow, so those with wider feet may want to go half a size up. The shoe is slightly heavier than you'd expect for one that has 'Air' in its name, reinforcing its role as an everyday wear sneaker. What you should use these shoes for In today's world of hyper-specialized sneakers—from hiking shoes to running trainers—that's actually a fair question. The Dn8 isn't technically a running shoe; it's more of a casual, all-day comfort sneaker. The extra cushioning makes it a solid option for flat-footers, offering support without feeling too rigid. Is it worth the cost? The Dn8s are currently priced at $190, which might give you some sticker shock, but it's important to consider the value of the shoe. It's made from quality textiles, offers incredible support, and provides a subtle pep to your step in its style and substance. For true sneakerheads, this is 100 percent worth the cost, just for the epic design alone. For more casual shoppers, it's still a fair price for a durable shoe that'll get you through your day-to-day and last for quite a while. With women's and kids' variants also available, it's a great choice for anyone looking to step up their sneaker game. Nike Air Max Dn8 The Air Max Dn8 sneaker is a bold shoe with superior cushioning. BUY NOW at Nike
FACT
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Everything we know about Nike Air Max Day 2025
This year marks the launch of Air Max Dn8. Happy birthday, Nike Air. Nick Air Max Day 2025 takes place on 26 March, and is the annual celebration of Nike Air. Now, it will mark the day by launching the Air Max Dn8, and here's how to get your hands (or should we say feet) on them. Nike Air Max Day 2025 celebrates memories and moments. In 2014, the day started and looked at the legacy of the Air Max trainer. Each year, Nike has introduced a new evolution, which aims to push the technology, design and that special legacy forward. Now, the Nike Air Max Dn8 will drop, and will be available for adults and children. The sneakers combine performance and wearability and comes in vibrant colours with visible air pockets. The new sneaker aims to honour the shoes that came before it, and create new innovations for the future. Jonathan Kosenick, Lead Designer, Men's Sportswear, explained: 'We kept thinking about what makes some of our favourite classic Air Max models so great — that you can put them on and go, and no matter what happens over the course of the day, that shoe is going to exceed expectations'. The original Nike Air Max 1 launched on 26 March 26, 1987. The sneaker is considered to be one of the greatest silhouettes in history. Air Max Day happens on that day each year. The event runs from store opening times, and may include limited edition and exclusive drops. If you have the Snkrs app, make sure to check it out on the day. Check in with FACT for the latest things to do. GO: Visit for more information.
