Skechers USA, Inc. is a multinational company founded in 1992. It is headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, and ranks as the third largest footwear brand in the United States.
In 1978, Boston-born Robert Greenberg moved to California after experiencing a harsh East Coast winter, eventually leading to his involvement in the shoe industry.
In 1982, Robert Greenberg licensed the image of the film character E.T. to appear on shoelaces, which brought him significant revenue and recognition in the retail industry. This success eventually led to the founding of L.A. Gear.
In 1990, the popular shoe brand L.A. Gear faced a sudden decline after being a top-selling brand among young American women. This decline led to the departure of Robert Greenberg, the creator of L.A. Gear.
The Skechers D'Lites sneaker was introduced as part of Skechers' footwear lineup, contributing to the brand's global recognition and success.
In 1993, Skechers introduced the Chrome Dome, an edgy urban street boot that became popular among young hipsters and the grunge culture, marking a turning point for the company.
In 1995, Skechers achieved a significant milestone by reaching $100 million in annual sales, showcasing the company's rapid growth and success in the footwear industry.
By 1997, Skechers had established a strong global presence, becoming recognized internationally for its footwear. It was a significant milestone for the brand.
On April 13, 1998, Skechers acquired the site of the Nike Super Show, marking a significant move in the footwear industry.
In February 1999, Skechers, a relatively unknown brand, made an impact by entering the competitive sneaker market.
In 2000, Skechers was recognized by Business Week and Footwear News, and its stock began to rise steadily, leading to sustained growth.
The year 2005 saw Skechers achieving a significant milestone by surpassing $1 billion in annual sales for the first time, highlighting its exponential growth and market success.
Skechers introduced the D’Lites sneaker in 2007 as a lightweight version of their original Energy sneakers, featuring a chunky aesthetic. The D’Lites sneaker became popular for its influence on the ongoing chunky sneakers trend in the late 2010s.
Since 2010, Skechers has been consistently advertising during the Super Bowl, utilizing this platform to promote its products to a wide audience.
In 2011, Skechers launched its performance sportswear line for athletes and signed Meb Keflezighi as a spokesman.
In 2012, Skechers agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $40 million after a U.S. Federal Trade Commission complaint regarding its Shape-Ups rocker bottom shoe ads.
In 2014, Skechers was recognized as the fifth largest sneaker company in the world in terms of market share, leading to investor interest and positive evaluations.
Skechers D’Lites were showcased during New York Fashion Week shows in 2018, indicating their impact on the fashion industry. The brand highlighted the presence of D’Lites on the runways of seven different shows.
On March 1, 2019, Skechers launched an advertising campaign called 'Just Blew It' to draw attention to the Zion Williamson shoe incident involving Nike, showcasing a competitive stance in the market.
Since 2020, Skechers has incorporated Goodyear rubber into some of its shoe designs, aiming to enhance the quality and performance of the footwear.
In 2021, French prosecutors initiated an investigation to determine if Skechers and other brands were involved in concealing or benefiting from forced Uyghur labor. This raised concerns about ethical practices within the company.
In 2022, Doja Cat performed at Coachella wearing OG Skechers D'Lites, sparking a partnership with Skechers. This collaboration led to Doja becoming Skechers' Artist-in-Residence and creating her own Skechers D'Lites collection, bringing a fresh energy to the brand.
A report released in December 2023 by Sheffield Hallam University once again linked Skechers to forced Uyghur labor, indicating a persistent issue within the company's supply chain.
Skechers is collaborating with the artist Doja Cat to create a new line of products, aiming to attract a younger demographic to purchase Skechers shoes.