The US shoe retailer Skechers USA Inc. will in future run its own business in the Philippines. The activities there have since been taken over by the newly founded subsidiary Skechers USA Philippines Inc., the company announced on Monday. The previous local sales partner Trendworks International will therefore only sell Skechers products until the end of the year. The aim of the measure is to “maximize the brand’s growth opportunities in the region,” said Skechers.
Chief Operating Officer David Weinberg explained the background to the decision: “The Philippines offer immense potential for Skechers,” he emphasized in a press release. “We believe that taking this step will allow us to get the most of it faster because our dedicated team will be fully focused on growing and leveraging all of Skechers’ capabilities.”
Suzette Pasustento, who now runs the brand’s business in the Philippines as Country Manager, described the current plans: “With the move to new offices in Manila and the establishment of a distribution center, we are currently in the first phase of re-establishing the label on the market . We also opened our first new store this month, ”she explained. “In 2022 we will be introducing new product categories, opening more stores and increasing the number of points of sale with new retail partners. We will also start a comprehensive marketing campaign. “
In addition to the reforms in the Philippines, Skechers also announced personnel changes in the board of directors on Monday. Accordingly, Jeffrey Greenberg, Geyer Kosinski, Richard Rappaport and Tom Walsh left the committee. Skechers stressed that the resignations had “no inconsistencies with the company” or other reasons in connection with “the business activities, strategy or guidelines” of the company. Zulema Garcia, who is now also a member of the company’s audit committee, was appointed to the board. The accounting expert works as Senior Vice-President of Internal Audit at the consumer goods company Herbalife Nutrition.