USA: Oakley’s Fall 2000 Footwear Proves Popular

Oakley Inc (NYSE:OO) announced on Thursday that it continues to see excellent response from worldwide footwear retailers reflecting strong consumer demand for styles in the company's fall 2000 line. After the company's attendance at the World Shoe Association (WSA) show held last week in Las Vegas, it reported positive feedback to its existing fall 2000 line as well as solid interest in the spring 2001 line, which debuted at the show. The fall 2000 line, which consists of nine styles, will be expanded with five new styles for spring 2001. The company continues to expect to have approximately 2,500 to 3,000 global footwear doors by the end of the year. "Our footwear team continues to execute successfully and has begun to establish the Oakley brand as an industry participant," said Link Newcomb, Oakley's chief operating officer. "We remain optimistic about our long-term opportunities in the athletic footwear category and are now competitively positioned to consistently deploy innovative footwear products matching seasonal industry and consumer expectations." The company reported that based on successful sell-through of the Flesh and Nail fall styles, it is currently engaged in discussions to expand doors with key US retailers including R.E.I., Finish Line and Athlete's Foot. Internationally, the company's footwear line is also experiencing strong sell-through rates in key markets with expansion planned in Canada, Australia, continental Europe, the UK and Japan.