Schools in the United States are implementing restrictions on the use of popular Crocs shoes, citing safety concerns and distractions. Oswaldo Luciano, a school nurse in New York, commented that whenever a foot injury is mentioned, people often associate it with wearing Crocs. The company Crocs has expressed being puzzled by these bans, despite the company's shares rising 47 percent compared to 22 percent of the S&P 500 index over the past year.
Valued at $8 billion, Crocs has become as popular as Justin Bieber by offering a quick and comfortable footwear option for children and teenagers. Despite a surge in sales in recent years, the brand is facing restrictions in numerous U.S. schools, considering that safer types of footwear must be worn at all times.
Joshua, whose daughter suffered an injury on an escalator while wearing her Crocs, expressed that although they were purchased with her safety in mind, they are now banned for the same reason in some schools. Despite these restrictions, Crocs continues to be marketed as an everyday shoe.
The bans have led to a decline in Crocs sales, with a drop of 14.5 percent compared to last year. Despite this, the company insists they remain an everyday footwear option. Some schools have specified in their dress codes the need to wear safe shoes at all times, explicitly excluding Crocs from their premises.
Siobhan Joshua, a resident of New York, recently replaced her daughter's Crocs with slip-on sneakers due to the school ban on clogs. Despite their popularity among teenagers, Crocs faces this challenge, with schools in at least 12 states banning their daily use due to tripping and falling incidents.
The company Crocs has tripled its annual sales in the last four years, becoming relevant again thanks to strategic deals with celebrities like Justin Bieber and Post Malone. Despite these collaborations, sales growth expectations have moderated, with the company forecasting a growth of 3 percent in 2024, at the lower end of its previous projections.
