With some of them looking like Converse sneakers but with more hip styling and cheaper price tags, Cadillac shoes have been taking a slice of the market for athletic and running shoes riding high on the iconic car brand from General Motors. Is the GM Company diversifying into consumer apparel with Cadillac shoes?
That shouldn’t be surprising considering that GM has been in the thick of maximizing its revenues after getting a bailout package from President Obama last year. Well, GM did it’s homework well and turned in a sizeable profit margin during the same period. But it doesn’t help that GM is antagonizing the UAW union with a few layoffs here and overseas. One would think GM may be reassigning workers to make shoes but that’s not the case.
Licensing the Trademarks of Cadillac Shoes
GM does not make apparel, shoes or other non-durable consumer products. But in the interest of adding to its bottomline, GM licenses its brand trademarks and logo to select or preferred merchants who are into the business of making other products. The trademark could have been Chevrolet or Buick, but Cadillac logo with its signature crest and wreath along with a typefont occupies the company’s upscale and easily recognizable marquee. It’s not limited to shoes, but includes jackets, hats, shirts, bags and other items.
Capitalizing on the Health Craze
This is obviously a win-win scenario. GM gets additional license income while the merchandisers ride on an iconic brand that renders little to no promotional expenses unlike if an unknown brand were used. With regards GM, the timing is flawless considering that the consumer markets have been joining the health craze bandwagon, from diet supplements, nutritional diets, wonder drugs and exercise regimens that include a preoccupation with fashionable shoes.
cadillac shoes merchandising a legend
Styling Ranges Cadillac Shoes
Cadillac shoes sport various styling in models that take the names of car models under the Cadillac marque. They include the Seville, Reno, Allante, Coupe STS and Couple LE. It also carries Black, Pink, and Vintage Cadillac. Other models include the Spoke and Spoke Brent and Derby. There are also kids versions of these models.
The brand covers the entire gamut of sporting and leisure shoes for both men and women and in all ages. You have mountaineering shoes made of leather uppers and rubber shoes, classic basketball shoes many of which look like the iconic Converse shows made of laced fabric uppers and rubber soles as well as typical Nike-looking jogging and running shoes.
Made in China, Cadillac shoes have been known to be manufactured by Atlante, with most models ranging from a low of $35 to a high of $65. And these shoes are among many that are being sold in superstores and supermarkets, instead of usual fashion boutique and department stores. In addition, there are shoe accessories carrying the Cadillac name. These include the Cadillac boot and shoe care lotions, all-weather water repellant spray, sneaker wipes, suede renew applicators, shoe stretcher and odor terminator pump sprays, among others.
Cadillac Shoes
