Page 143 - BWA FEB 2013

February 2013 | Business World Magazine | 143
the presence of lead that may be
contained in countless children’s
products. Proposition 65 gave rise
to collaborations of citizen groups
and/or legal teams that filed suit
against a variety of manufacturers,
including those in the shoe indus-
try. Some law firms have essen-
tially made a living by filing suits
and settling them out of court.
Priest says some FDRA mem-
bers were among those targeted
in litigation, but in recent years,
with the FDRA’s communication
campaign and member compli-
ance, the number of such cases
has dramatically dwindled. He
also notes that for the most part,
the footwear industry has not run
afoul of regulatory recall issues to
the degree experienced with other
goods.
Another recent example of in-
dustry insight facilitated through
FDRA was the 2012 Footwear Sourcing
Forecast. A first of its kind study conduct-
ed by FDRA, members were provided with
findings from analysis of statistical trends,
import data and economic details involv-
ing consumer demand and costs for raw ma-
terials. Priest says understanding where the
industry is planning to source in the future
helps FDRA member companies and the in-
dustry as a whole to take advantage of chang-
ing trends and more securely plan for the fu-
ture.
As for the future, Priest says he is en-
couraged to see Members embracing new
opportunities to increase their business. He
anticipates increased integration of technol-
ogy, such as that seen in Nike’s development
of a special Mobile App which can be used in
conjunction with their running shoes. Priest
says social media, and Internet-based market
portals will also pose new opportunities for
manufactures to interface with consumers.
FDRA also provides members with 24/7
insight to issues, reports, event details and
news alerts through its presence online at
www.fdra.org
Priest’s prognosis of the present state
of the industry, as well as future potential,
is generally positive. He says, “There’s a lot
of excitement in our industry right now, so
overall, I’m pretty bullish for our success in
the future.”