All manufacturers have traditionally utilized independent footwear retailers as their primary distribution
channel for selling branded footwear. Manufacturers have built a network of retailers to handle their brand
in all geographic areas where they market. Retailers are recruited by small teams of company-employed
sales representatives working out of regional sales offices in each geographic region; the role of the sales
reps is to call on retailers, convince them of the merits of carrying the company's brand, solicit orders, and
provide assistance with merchandising and in-store displays. Retailers typically carry anywhere from 1-3
brands of athletic footwear (depending on store size and location) and usually stock only certain
models/styles of the brands they do carry (since manufacturers have anywhere from 50 to 500
models/styles in their product lines). Retail markups over the wholesale prices of footwear manufacturers
can run anywhere from 40% at discount chains to as high as 100% at premium retailers. Thus, a pair of
shoes wholesaling for $50 usually retails for between $70 and $100.