CARRBORO, N.C. (November 18, 2024) — Fleet Feet, the largest franchisor of run specialty stores, today announced a new vendor partnership with hylo athletics, an innovative, emerging footwear brand dedicated to performance, sustainability and environmentally-conscious design.
Fleet Feet’s vendor partner program, which includes 19 footwear, apparel and accessories brands, has a deep history of helping launch emerging brands, including HOKA, Karhu and On. The partnership with hylo athletics reflects Fleet Feet’s ongoing commitment to providing customers with a wide assortment of products that allows them to find the best-fitting footwear to accomplish their fitness and movement goals.
“Our vendor partner program has evolved over the years to align with the changing landscape of the running industry,” said Joey Pointer, president and CEO at Fleet Feet. “While we’ve increasingly leaned towards mature, well-established brands in recent years, we’re thrilled to partner with hylo athletics in the spirit of supporting emerging, innovative brands. This partnership is a great opportunity to test how we can help bring hylo’s products, sustainability mission, and unique story to life across our communities, connecting with our customers who are passionate about both performance and environmental responsibility.”
Hylo athletics, founded on the principles of combining performance with sustainability, has been gaining attention for its high-quality, eco-friendly products that push the boundaries of what is possible in running footwear. By using responsibly sourced materials, cutting-edge design, and a dedication to reducing environmental impact, hylo athletics is poised to reshape the landscape of performance-driven running shoes.
“We are excited to join Fleet Feet’s vendor partner program, furthering our commitment to the specialty running channel in North America,” said Michael Doughty, co-founder of hylo athletics. “Fleet Feet’s position as the leading run specialty retailer will allow us to continue on our mission to inspire runners to run like the world depends on it and to reduce the impact that running shoes are having on our environment.”
The new partnership will allow Fleet Feet to offer hylo footwear to customers at select brick-and-mortar stores and online. Through this collaboration, Fleet Feet will also help elevate the brand’s story, focusing on how hylo’s mission to build more sustainable products can positively impact the running community and the planet.
For more than 48 years, Fleet Feet owners, operating partners, and employees have created welcoming environments that allow runners, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts of all abilities to conquer their goals at every level, on every surface, at every distance with personalized solutions, knowledge, and empowerment. Fleet Feet’s nationwide network of community-based retail stores are a place of inspiration, showing people how Running Changes Everything®.
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About Fleet Feet
Founded in 1976, Fleet Feet is the largest franchisor of locally owned and operated run specialty stores. With more than 275 Fleet Feet stores in 40 states and a national headquarters in Carrboro, N.C., Fleet Feet is committed to providing runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts with outfitting expertise, robust training programs, community support and rewards. Fleet Feet believes that RUNNING CHANGES EVERYTHING® and has been recognized in Fast Company’s Brands That Matter, the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies and Best in Business, Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Retailers and America’s Best Online Shops, and PRWeek’s Purpose Awards. Stay inspired, motivated and connected at Fleet Feet.
About hylo athletics
Established in the UK in 2020, hylo athletics is a community of passionate runners on a mission to protect the planet they run on. Their footwear is crafted at the intersection of high performance and low environmental impact, enabling runners to “run like the world depends on it.”
