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The article provides the corporate profile of L.A. Gear Inc. in California. The company is owned by Robert Greenberg, a former artist, who focuses on fashionable athletic shoes for women. L.A. Gear had been designing wigs, jeans, roller skater and shoelaces before ending to fashionable sneakers which eventually made them popular.

The article discusses the highlights of a three-day conference organized by the United Shoe Retailers Association (USRA) in Palm Springs, California in May 2010. World Shoe Association director Pam Baffo fielded opinions from industry members while USRA officer Gary Hauss and Earth president Gary Champion led the sessions about trade shows for the industry. A golf tournament, casino night and other entertainment events were also offered to the participants.

An interview with Joe Ouaknine, chief executive officer of women's fashion shoes manufacturer Titan Industries of California, is presented. Ouaknine comments on the challenges and problems facing the shoe industry and Titan's strong performance despite the difficult conditions. He also comments on the biggest change with respect to Titan's target audience of female consumers, women's attitude towards shopping for shoes, and the initiatives that retailers must implement to cope with the demand.

The article offers information on the shoe companies who have reported that they had not experienced any damage to their facilities, but there remained concerns regarding delayed shipments and possible loss of retail sales due to the California fires.

The article reports that downtown Los Angeles in California is back in fashion and its revival took 35 years to happen. Topics discussed include a revival in retail with sneaker heads, artists and trendsetters at the Broadway area, the plans of shoe company Vans to set up an outpost on the budding stretch and the added attraction provided by buildings with facades designed in art deco and beaux-arts style, along with the neighborhood's urban vibe and an engaged consumer base.

The article features Sara's Shoes, a custom-made shoe shop owned by lesbian shoe-maker Sara McIntosh in Santa Fe, California. It emphasizes that McIntosh has made her shoe-making business grow from her online store and her home studio. Her shoes established a large clientele at the women's music festivals.

Reports on the opening of a shoe chain in the Chula Vista Center in San Diego, California. Background of the shoe chain.

Features Pride Industries, a nonprofit company in Roseville, California that employs ex-convicts to manufacture YubaShoes snowshoes. How disabled people's ability are regarded in the firm; Comment from Kennan Bridge, Pride's vice president of marketing.

The article reports that the negotiations between the International Longshore & Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association, the port operator and employer failed and that led to a four-day shutdown. Two major ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California handle around 68 percent of Asian shoe imports.

Features Horseshoes 2000, a Fresno, California-based distributor of horse shoes. Owner Richard Wolk's reasons for entering the business; Quality of horse shoes sold by Wolk; Business challenges; Major markets.

The article offers information on Bierkenstock's Arizona, a product from Birkenstock USA, a Novato, California-based company. Birkenstock's Arizona, the third style of Birkenstock, is in the original lug-sole sandal in cognac. The success of the sandal in the U.S. pushed Birkenstock' sales in England, Italy and Japan, where new styles were produced.

The article reports on the introduction of the MiSoul Tech system of performance running and tennis shoes with replaceable midsoles, from Westlake Village, California-based K-Swiss Inc. David Bond, vice president of footwear, said that the firm's desire to shift the brand to a more reliable tennis and running brand can be achieved by disruptive innovation or change in the marketplace.

The article features the Twenty Two Shoes store of retailers Alexandra and Chris Silverman in Oakland, California. The lucky family number inspired the name of their store. It is also the name of the wholesale collection that can be found on the shelves of about 50 high-profile retailers, including Gimme Shoes in San Francisco, California, City Soles in Chicago, Illinois, and Olive in Portland, Oregon.

Presents an update on the efforts of the World Shoe Association (WSA) to recruit exhibitors for The Collections at WSA show in Los Angeles, California, as of June 2005. Number of shoe companies added to its list of exhibitors; Information on the Footwear & Accessories Business Conference that will take place during the event; Role of Fashion Group International Los Angeles in the event.

Features Progressive Shoes shoe repair business in Los Angeles, California. Celebrity customers; Design; Contact information.

Features the Star Shoes, a shoe store developed by businessman Paul Devitt in Los Angeles, California. Partners in the venture; Atmosphere in the store; Price range of the shoes on display.

Focuses of the benefits of an automatic sorter in Timberland Co., maker of shoes and weather gear in California. Impact of an automatic sorter on production; Features of the Cross Belt Mark I sorter; Creation of a distribution sorter for better customer services; Power supply of the sorter.