The 550-door chain The Athlete’s Foot (TAF) and affiliated websites across 30+ countries grew its year-over-year global retail revenues by 10.3 percent in 2022 to $555 million, parent Arklyz Group reported, despite a difficult retail environment that was impacted by rising inflation, supply chain challenges, and socioeconomic and political unrest.
Set to debut brand partnerships with the likes of Crocs, Ethika, Polo, Sergio Tacchini and other premium streetwear labels this year, TAF is also currently preparing for the spring launch of TAF 3.0, which it describes as an omnichannel “neighborhood” concept store with a hyper-localized product assortment and heightened community engagement efforts. The format will also feature expanded apparel assortments.
The Arklyz Group, headed by owner and CEO Param Singh, acquired TAF from Intersport International Corp. in July 2021. Ten months later, the company, with corporate headquarters in Switzerland and Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.), purchased the 40-door Shoe City chain based in Baltimore, Maryland, and its e-commerce business at ycmc.com. Matthew Lafone, president and GM of the Americas, oversees both the TAF and Shoe City businesses in the U.S.
Over the last year, as part of its commitment to focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the communities that TAF serves, the company initiatives and programs with Roc Nation, Feeding America, and Refugee Life Association, among others.
