Crocs Maker Appears Headed Toward Bankruptcy

washingtonpost.com:

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.

Read the whole story: washingtonpost.com

Comments

[veritas2u]

Good riddance to ugly shoes, Waitresses around the world are crying as I understand that they could be very comfortable. Can't wait for the flip flop craze to tumble as I am sick of seeing filthy feet that spread
germs everywhere they touch..

[BowZam03]

Great Daily Show video explaining the involvement of Wall Street short sellers undermining Crocs:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-march-16-2009/the-money-honey-bee

When Crocs first appeared on the scene, I swore I would never wear them. As time went on I kept hearing how comfortable they were. Once they introduced the flip flops and other less hideous styles, I broke down and bought a pair of flip flops for myself and the kids' Crocs for my toddler. Now I am a Crocs convert.

There is most certainly a market for kids Crocs. Anyone who has a small child and has tried Crocs will tell you they are so kid friendly - light, easy on growing feet, easy to clean, no laces and kids can get them on and off by themselves.

They're not really indestructible either. I've worn the soles down smooth and so has my son.

I love people on the site that gripe about paying $30 for a pair of shoes. $30 is cheap for a pair of shoes with an ergonomic foot bed, are responsibly sourced and are long lasting. The knock offs will make your feet stink and are stiff.

[SusanRen]

I would of bought a pair but I could never find any to fit my foot. My foot is narrow. Does everybody in this country have fat feet?

[LeeCalif]

Talk about poor management or someone gutted the company.

[johnnygoodwud]

crocs were a fad, and anyone with half a marketing brain, would have thought past the end of the fad.

[IMissAmerica]

Truly... another magnificent failure of the era. Especially when you consider it is an item that is practically indestructible. Hopefully someone else will now come in and create a sustainable company using the technology. Chefs and others in the hospitality industry, and health care professionals who are on their feet all day just love to put those hideous dogs on their feet.

[grumbles]

One of the problems with them was- they were too expensive. They are plastic molded shoes and the company set their price too high. If you had one pair, chances are, you wouldnt buy another,so their market topped out. People who cant and wont afford $40 play shoes!!!!!!!!!!! Too bad................

[d00derman]

Oh d.a.mn it, those are the best shoes ever.

Most men don't even know there are men's crocs. Black, brown, even some that don't even look like crocs. Most comfortable shoe ever, and great for people who aren't pretentious.

[zenwhenicanbe2]

I am a guy and I love Crocs flip flops they are amazingly comfortable. Upon reading articles about their apparent demise I went to the site to stock up and they aren't even running a sale... what gives?

[ewj1]

This is one of the few times GOd replied to my prayers. Crocs are worn by people who see fashion over form and have money to waste.

[glorialovelace]

"Crocs are worn by people who see fashion over form and have money to waste."

How can you say that Crocs are fashionable, when they are so clunky-looking? A lot of us who wear Crocs a lot do so because they are comfortable, they are washable -- and they don't contain formaldehyde, as do many of their less-expensive clones.

It's hard to imagine that there won't be a market for them in the future. Many hospital workers wear them just about all the time.

[sonoffestus]

I read somewhere that some hospitals banned them, something about them being germ friendly ? Not sure if this is true, but interesting.

[bdaved]

Wow!

[Soundofthunder]

Crocs are clogs made out of materials besides wood. The question is: why?

SOT

[HillaryGoAway]

Crocs are great. I hope they don't go out of business. A lot of the commenters here don't know what they're talking about. Crocs have diversified, their shoes now come in quite a few different styles, many of them barely resemble the original look of the shoe. They are comfortable and reliable and many people love them. Also, they are not over priced at $30 a pair when they last for so long. So for those of you who hate them, fine, just don't buy or wear them.

I'd think in this economy you'd be rooting for an American company to succeed instead of applauding their demise.

[glorialovelace]

Indeed. Most Crocs are actually made here in the United States.

[texastrixie]

My sister swears by them, but I wouldn't throw away $30, in case I didn't like them.

[me4you]

I could never bring myself to wear a pair of the origional crocs, but my daughter insisted they were super comfortable. One day while shopping we found some that had a full canvass upper and looked like cool normal casual shoes. I am happy with them and they do help my feet stay happier.

[macintoshsauce]

I never wore them...

[SpencersMom]

Lesson to be learned: Fads come and go. Investing millions without realizing that the market might dry up overnight is risky.

I'm sure the three young folks from Boulder who started the company are anything but penniless. Manufacturing was shipped to China and Mexico, distribution to Japan and the Netherlands. At least this company's failure won't mean massive layoffs here at home.

PEACE

[Fever911]

I purchased a pair of crocs (without knowing anything about their trendiness) in 2005, the attraction being that my two year old son could manage them himself. They work very well for toddlers and kids, but adults-not so much.

[the964kid]

Thats the best news I read today, anybody wearing these should be immediately arrested by the fashion police. But I am sorry to all the employees who might get laid off.

[DubyaGump]

Don't knock them until you've worn them, they are very comfortable

[Melissa]

They were the ugliest shoes ever. It was just a fad and an ugly one.

[me4you]

I bought the new kind made with canvass uppers and they are great! Never could bring myself to buy the totally foam ones though. I think all the knock offs have hurt them, crocs are no longer exclusive

[canechic]

Amen, I always say, "Why are you wearing the patio cleaning shoes on the street?"
Those shoes are down right ugly!

[stateretiree]

I love my crocs, but my kids will be glad if they go away forever!!!