# Recession-Proof Footwear Shoes for Crews Flourishes During Economic Downturn By Geebee Micro | Published 2009-04-17 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Shoes-for-crews-footwear-slip-resistant References: [multichannelmerchant](http://multichannelmerchant.com/crosschannel/news/0417-shoes-for-crews/) & [shoesforcrews](http://www.shoesforcrews.com/) With people flocking to lower-priced fast food restaurants during these tough economic times, footwear retailer Shoes for Crews has been the happy recipient of growing shoe sales as a burgeoning fast food industry clamors for [slip-resistant footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/originals-clog-2420). Sales in the first quarter for the company have increased by 10%, while catalog circulation has also risen close to the same percentages, increasing by 9% during the same time period. Utilitarian, cheap and boring are the new sexy during economic downturns, and sales at Shoes for Crews confirms this reality. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 5% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Utilitarian Footwear:** The demand for practical and affordable footwear increases during economic downturns, presenting opportunities for innovative design and functionality. - **Slip-resistant Shoes:** As the fast food industry grows, there is a rising need for slip-resistant shoes, creating an opportunity for specialized footwear retailers and manufacturers. - **Affordable Fashion:** In tough economic times, consumers prioritize affordability over luxury, creating a market for affordable fashion brands to thrive. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Footwear Retail:** The growing demand for affordable footwear during economic downturns creates favorable conditions for footwear retailers to capitalize on this trend. - **Fast Food:** As the fast food industry continues to expand, there is a potential for collaboration and innovation between fast food chains and slip-resistant footwear manufacturers. - **Affordable Fashion Brands:** Affordable fashion brands have an opportunity to attract cost-conscious consumers by offering stylish and affordable options during economic downturns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Food Court Footwear Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-spot.md) - [functional footwear brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lifestyle-brand-brunch.md) - [Comfort-Driven Stylish Men's Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deming-recovery.md) - [Unique Footwear Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-fluevog.md) - [Comfort-Focused Work Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timberland-pro-1.md) - [Comfortable Spring-Forward Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clarks-offers-spring-comfort.md) - [Comfort-Focused Fashion Clogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-people-x-dr-scholls.md) - [Movement-Focused Womens Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fitflop.md) - [Comfortable Casual Lifestyle Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casual-lifestyle-shoe.md)