Nina has been busy moving so sorry about the lack of Daily 5′s lately. I am taking over for now!!

(Slight TECHNICAL difficulties….The Daily 5 will return to regular home tomorrow)

Ethiopia is looking to export shoes to the US through ”a special export promotion program launched jointly by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the USAID funded Agribusiness and Trade Expansion Program, USAID – ATEP” according to Nazret.com. The article also says that US industry execs have helped in the process by introducing the idea to American Buyers. If this offers a solution to the current sourcing issues, then this is great. I am also sure it would be an aide to the Ethiopian economy which is surely a good thing!  

Etonic just announced the launch of their ’09-’10 golf footwear line which features many new technologies that are supposed to help with “traction, balance and power.” There is a very detailed article on the new line on worldgolf.com in which the CEO of the company, Tom Elwell claims the shoes will increase performance on the course. I am no golfer, but my dad was and I am sure if there was a shoe back in his prime that would increase his game he would have been thrilled and it might have meant one less golf club in the pond which could have saved him a buck or two! haha I suggest checking out the full article as they list in detail all the new technologies they have added.

Payless is participating in Fashion Night Out to support Fashion, Retail and New York City on September 10th and 11th. They are including three late night shopping events that will be hosted by designers Christian Siriano, Lela Rose and Patricia Field at multiple locations throughout the city. The hope is to encourage NYC residents and visitors to get out and shop! Check out the full list of event locations and descriptions at PRNEWSWIRE.com! I would totally be there if I was in the city!!

Online sales in the UK increased again during the month of July which is always good news. According to the Associated Press, shoppers spent more than 4 billion pounds which was  up 15% from June and 16% from July of last year. Bad news for the alcolhol industry though….their sales were down a whopping 15% which the article blaimed on rain, but I would hope maybe is a sign of people getting out of their ruts. Let’s keep this up!!

Crocs new CEO, John  Duerden is staying optimistic and declairing that Crocs will return to profitability by next year. There has been so much talk about whether or not this brand can stay alive, but at the very least, you gotta give it them for keeping at it. There hope is to get back to their core and begin to rebuild from there. I never like to see anyone fail and I hope that they can pull it off!! Read the full article HERE!