DANSKO NAMED INDEPENDENT RETAILERS' "VENDOR OF THE YEAR"

Dansko Named Independent Retailers’ "Vendor of the Year”

New Orleans, LA: National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA) names Dansko footwear as their "Vendor of the Year” for 2011. NSRA is a not-for-profit organization representing independent shoe store owners throughout the United States and Canada.

"We are extremely honored by this recognition,” says Mark Diehl, Dansko Senior Vice President of Sales. "Independent retailers have always been key Dansko partners, critical to our sales strategy.”

Dansko was selected for their continued commitment to this valuable channel of distribution.

"We are pleased to honor Dansko as NSRA's 2011 Retailer of the Year,” says NSRA president Chuck Schuyler, "for the primary reason that independent shoe store owners have such high regard for the company. It starts with their product innovation, and extends into high esteem for their commitment to the independent footwear channel of distribution.”

Together, independent retailers make up approximately 20% of the footwear distribution channel, conducting more than $9 billion worth of business in a $48 billion per year industry. Dansko works with more than 2000 independent retailers in the US and Canada.

"Our stated mission is to be our stakeholders’ favorite: not the only shoes on our retailers’ shelves, but the company they most like to do business with. We are always extremely happy when we see this validated,” says Diehl.

"Retailers enjoy being able to tell their customers what a manufacturer believes in, and how their products reflect those beliefs,” says Schuyler. "Dansko makes it easy to tell the company's story. They honestly believe in giving back. They support a variety of charities, and they also support their employees. It's a story that resonates with the independent channel, where service is a fundamental part of the customer experience.”

The announcement was made Thursday, November 3 at the NSRA’s Leadership Conference Awards Banquet. Diehl accepted the award on behalf of the company.

About Dansko

Established in 1990, Dansko has been a leader in providing all day comfort footwear, socks and apparel while standing at the forefront of ethical business practices. Founded by husband and wife team Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup, Dansko is an employee owned company based in Pennsylvania. You can find Dansko products at over 2,500 premium US and international retail locations. For more information visit dansko.com

About National Shoe Retailer Association

With nearly a century of experience, NSRA continues to serve as the independent retailer’s resource and advocate, representing the independent shoe retailing community among manufacturers, suppliers and the broader footwear industry.