The much-maligned footwear company Crocs apparently has plenty of devoted customers.
For the first time in the company's 10-year history, Crocs announced that it has surpassed $1 billion mark in sales for the 2011 calendar year. The news propelled the company's stock, as investors hopped on board, raising the stock's value by 6.3 percent Tuesday.
Chances are consumers come down on one side of the fence in regard to the plastic, sandal-like footwear. There are certainly plenty of detractors, blasting the colorful shoes as ugly. But as Wednesday's news suggests, there are more than a few people who enjoy the styling and comfort of a Crocs slip-on.
Compared to other footwear, Crocs seem to be priced relatively affordable. On the company's website, the Classic Crocs, the shoe most closely associated with the company, sell for $29.99. Crocs also sells dozens of other footwear styles, including shoes, loafers, boots, slippers and sneakers. Additionally, the company sells clothing apparel and accessories under its Ocean Minded collection.
Crocs has gained some big name followers. Actors Jennie Garth ("Beverly Hills 90210") and Sacha Baren Cohen ("Borat"), musicians Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) and Steven Tyler (Aerosmith, "American Idol"), and chef Mario Batali are some of the highest-profile celebrities to be seen wearing the infamous footwear.
Detractors of Crocs range from those just steering clear of the shoes to those trying to spread the message of why Crocs wearers are crazy. The footwear spawned the website IHateCrocs.com, in which a blogger runs through a variety of reasons why Crocs shouldn't be worn.
"The question remains: why does anyone wear these Crocs?" the website's blogger writes. "It can be chalked up to mass insanity, but if one were to ask the average Crocs fan why they wear them, they will undoubtedly answer, 'Because they’re extremely comfortable,' repeating the same argument that goaded them into trying the monstrosities on in the first place. These Crocs people truly believe that this is reason enough to wear these hideous shoes."
Clearly, Crocs is laughing all the way to the bank. The Colorado-based company was founded in 2002 by three friends. Over the years, Crocs has fought hard to ensure similar knock-offs are not on the market.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
