Skechers History | Story of Retail Guru Robert Greenburg (2024)

< back to skechers...
Skechers History | Story of Retail Guru Robert Greenburg (1)

Other Brand Stories...

Skechers History | Story of Retail Guru Robert Greenburg (2)
Skechers History | Story of Retail Guru Robert Greenburg (3)

The History of Skechers

Buckle up, folks, as we journey through time to a sizzling 1992, the birth year of a footwear titan: Skechers! This youngster of a company is the brainchild of retail maestro Robert Greenburg, a mastermind who had previously crowned L.A. Gear with success, and his budding entrepreneur son, Michael. They initially intended Skechers to be the golden gateway for Dr Martens into the US.

With a savvy eye for trendsetting brands, they brought in the likes of Cross Colours and Karl Kani. However, before long, the Greenburgs had a lightbulb moment. They found their true calling in creating and promoting their own chic line of footwear, not just playing middle-man.


1993 marked a turning point with the launch of the Greenburgs' first claim to fame, the Chrome Dome. This edgy, unisex urban street boot, seemingly pre-loved with its worn and scuffed look, became the perfect accessory for the trendy young hipsters and the grunge culture on the rise.


Shifting gears in that same year, Greenburg decided to focus on their homegrown brand, dropping Cross Colours and Karl Kani from their distribution list. Unfortunately, this led to a swift closure and sale of these companies. Meanwhile, Skechers ended up in a hot mess of a legal battle with Dr Martens, resulting in a break-up, leaving Skechers standing solo with its home brand.

Early on, Skechers built a reputation as a marketing whiz kid, deploying innovative and assertive strategies. They were unafraid to splurge on ad space in glossy magazines, sprawling billboards, and catchy TV spots.

Propelled by the success of the Chrome Dome, Skechers blazed a trail, continually innovating and releasing styles that catered to the casual sports market for everyday wear. By 1997, Skechers had stamped its name globally, and here at Mastershoe, we swell with pride for being one of the UK's first stockists. Fast forward to 1998, Skechers boasted 2,200 accounts globally and 20 of their own stores, all in a span of just six years. Talk about rapid growth!

Crafted with precision in China, Mexico, Brazil, and Romania, Skechers now dazzles the world with over 900 styles of shoes. From the popular Go Walk, Skechers Sport, Skechers USA, Cali, Tone Ups, Skechers Work, to Skechers Kids, they have become a colossus, appealing to every kind of shoe lover out there!

View Our Skechers Range
Skechers History | Story of Retail Guru Robert Greenburg (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6319

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.