A Thin Line Between Love and Hate: The Story of Crocs
Crocs, Inc. has had a dramatic impact on the footwear market over the last two decades, even if it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Founded in 2002 and going public just a few years later, Crocs withstood vicious criticism of its signature shoe, dubbed the “world’s ugliest,” and almost collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis. However, its long-term success is undeniable, with sales now exceeding 100 million pairs per year. Not only did the company rise to the challenges of the pandemic, it actually thrived both during and after. Making use of occam data and analytics, we delve into Crocs’ remarkable brand recognition, loyal customer base, and diverse buyer demographics. We conclude with an examination of its recent Gen-Z-oriented acquisition, HEYDUDE.