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Thursday, July 26, 2007

Converse at Nike Stores?

Last Friday, I went with my family on a day trip to Pigeon Forge, TN. We went for a few reason. We went to eat lunch with some family we hadn't seen in a long time. We love this area and visit it there 5 or 6 times a year. Finally, not long after I returned home from a year of college I discovered Blueberry Cider. Now if you've never had Blueberry Cider you really haven't lived. I get mine from Atkins Orchard.

Anyway, during our shopping I went to the Nike store in the Tanger Outlets. I never buy anything since I only wear Converse. Although, since Nike is Converses' parent company it wouldn't be that bad. I was getting ready to leave when it happened. In the area between Men's and Women's shoes was four stlyes of Converse. Three styles were low-top Chucks and the other stlye were some Jack Purcell's.


I still don't know how I feel about this. Obviously, there are many more Nike stores than Converse stores. So in that aspect it means more exposure to the brand and for some people it will validate the brand because it is at a Nike store. However shallow or flawed that thought process may be, I am not naive enough to realize people think that way.


However, I am worried about where this could potentially lead. Up to this point, this is the most public representation of Nike owning Converse. So I am sure the average person is confused about seeing Converse in a Nike store. For so many that lace up their Chucks, Converse is the Anti-Nike. With that being said, these people probably won't be going into a Nike store anyway.

As a hardcore Converse fan, the last thing I want to see is Converse shoes with Nike Air or Shox. It just isn't right. Bringing back energy wave, helium, or React for a 3rd round would be a better solution. Even having no real cushioning technology now, is better than adding existing Nike tech. To me it is about brand integrity. If I wanted a Nike shoe I'd buy a Nike, but I want a Converse shoe with Converse technology.


I have no reason to believe this will ever happen. I know it is probably irresponsible to make such a giant leap. Mainly I just wanted to flesh out some of my feelings on this as a potential crisis for me. Let me know how you feel about any of the issues I raised here.

1 comment:

THE MARRIED MAN. said...

The main problem with Converse heel cushions is that they never stuck with them very long like Nike.