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Once-Trendy Crocs Could Be on Their Last Legs
Washington Post ^ | 7-16-09 | Ylan Q. Mui

Posted on 07/17/2009 9:17:07 AM PDT by Justaham

Crocs were born of the economic boom.

The colorful foam clogs appeared in 2002, just as the country was recovering from a recession. Brash and bright, they were a cheap investment (about $30) that felt good and promised to last forever. Former president George W. Bush wore them. Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler wore them. Your grandma wore them. They roared along with the economy, mocked by the fashion world but selling 100 million pairs in seven years.

Then the boom times went bust, and Crocs went to the back of the closet.

The company had expanded to meet demand, but financially pressed customers cut back. Last year the company lost $185.1 million, slashed roughly 2,000 jobs and scrambled to find money to pay down millions in debt. Now it's stuck with a surplus of shoes, and its auditors have wondered if it can stay afloat. It has until the end of September to pay off its debt.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: bhoeconomy; crocs; economy; fashion
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

SAS shoes are made in the U.S.

Of course, SAS specialize in regular old leather shoes so they’re not “hip”.


21 posted on 07/17/2009 9:30:06 AM PDT by WayneS (Respect the 2nd Amendment; Repeal the 16th)
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To: trisham
They may be the ugliest shoes ever made.

They may be ugly but diabetics, with feet trouble, love them. Maybe they should start marketing them for diabetics instead of to trendy customers. Nursing homes also love them for their patients.

22 posted on 07/17/2009 9:30:36 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: Justaham
I wore ugly faux crocs from Wal*Mart when I cracked my foot and none of my shoes would fit.

sw

23 posted on 07/17/2009 9:31:10 AM PDT by spectre (Spectre's wife ) (Who will lead us?)
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To: retrokitten
I don't follow fashion enough to know. Wrangler jeans, t-shirts from whoever, one black suit and a uniform during the day.

My closet looks like the one Arnold had in Last Action Hero.

24 posted on 07/17/2009 9:31:30 AM PDT by Richard Kimball (We're all criminals. They just haven't figured out what some of us have done yet.)
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To: Justaham

I’ve got a couple of pairs. They’re awesome at the beach. They’re also good quick slippers for taking the trash out to the curb or getting the paper...

I couldn’t care less what the fashion world or anybody else thinks. Whatever’s on my feet is the least of my fashion issues, I’m guessing.


25 posted on 07/17/2009 9:32:06 AM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
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To: kcvl

They’re also incredible for kids.
My 3 yr old grandson wears them all summer, they can’t come untied, they stay on, and are totally washable after we have fun outside.
Worth every penny.


26 posted on 07/17/2009 9:32:43 AM PDT by nascarnation
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To: WayneS
Then we’ll ALL be buying ugly rubber shoes... even if we don’t want them.

That would motivate every woman who loves shoes to get political.

If anyone ever sees me in a pair of CROCS, call the authorities because I've clearly gone mental.

27 posted on 07/17/2009 9:32:48 AM PDT by retrokitten (Jim Thompson's Argentinian Girlfriend)
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To: Clump
Buy a bunch including bigger sizes to compensate when your tike is growing.
Ebay what eventually isn't used.
Otherwise, no Crocs in your future.
Self made bailout designed especially for you and it didn't run a thousand pages.
28 posted on 07/17/2009 9:34:07 AM PDT by IrishCatholic (No local Communist or Socialist Party Chapter? Join the Democrats, it's the same thing!)
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To: Justaham

I know they are comfortable but you look like and a$$hole PING!!!


29 posted on 07/17/2009 9:35:14 AM PDT by NMEwithin
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To: Richard Kimball

I never saw that movie, but I will assume it’s not a vast collection. LOL

I hit post too fast and wanted to add that Converse are back in big way, too. Everyone is wearing them lately. They come in a billion different fabrics and are cheap.


30 posted on 07/17/2009 9:36:12 AM PDT by retrokitten (Jim Thompson's Argentinian Girlfriend)
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To: Justaham

I just paid six bucks for mine. They’re practically giving them away.


31 posted on 07/17/2009 9:36:43 AM PDT by EggsAckley (There's an Ethiopian in the fuel supply. W.C. Fields)
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To: Richard Kimball

Doc Marten’s is a small niche. I wasn’t in a wealthy town, but growing up everyone wanted one since they were a fad at that time. The crocs just don’t fit a niche.


32 posted on 07/17/2009 9:37:54 AM PDT by rwfromkansas ("Carve your name on hearts, not marble." - C.H. Spurgeon)
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To: Clemenza

Habianas from Brazil. TJ Maxx even carries them, and you have a choice of hundreds on Amazon.


33 posted on 07/17/2009 9:38:08 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: IrishCatholic; Clump

They won’t completely go away. Someone will either buy them out or start making similar shoes for kids, as well as professional footwear (chefs and nurses wear them all the time, too).


34 posted on 07/17/2009 9:38:14 AM PDT by retrokitten (Jim Thompson's Argentinian Girlfriend)
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To: Justaham

I like mine. Easy to slip on and off. Very comfortable. Ugly as sin, but comfort wins over looks for me. Certainly superior to flip-flops and they don’t make the annoying clopping sound as ff’s do when walking.


35 posted on 07/17/2009 9:38:36 AM PDT by OB1kNOb (It is impossible to convince someone of facts or truth if they don't want to believe it.)
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To: Justaham
I knew they were destined to die when Donald Trump featured them on a task for his Celebrity Apprentice show.

-PJ

36 posted on 07/17/2009 9:39:12 AM PDT by Political Junkie Too (This just in... Voting Republican is a Terrorist act!)
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To: Ramius

I think they might be great for the beach. I have flip-flops, but I hate them and my feet got sore from them.


37 posted on 07/17/2009 9:39:46 AM PDT by rwfromkansas ("Carve your name on hearts, not marble." - C.H. Spurgeon)
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To: Kimmers
That is so right. The perfect shoe for my son. He loves them! I guess I am going to get a bunch of bigger sizes as advised by other Freepers.
38 posted on 07/17/2009 9:40:34 AM PDT by Clump (the tree of liberty is withering like a stricken fig tree)
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To: trisham

Yes, they are. The are unbelievably ugly and awkward-looking. But they are comfortable. Should never be worn outside the house (even to fetch the newspaper at 5:30 a.m.) or in the range of any sort of camera unless you want proof of your dorkiness preserved for posterity. They tried to make marginally more attractive ones, on sale at Lord & Taylor, but it didn’t work out all that well.


39 posted on 07/17/2009 9:40:44 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: La Lydia

Thanks. I was not familiar with this brand of footwear until I met my significant other, who is from Rio.


40 posted on 07/17/2009 9:43:56 AM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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