Crocs plans to buy privately owned Italian footwear label Heydude. The rubber clogs maker looks to cash in on the pandemic-led surge in demand for casual shoes. Consumers stuck at home during the lockdowns last year ditched dress shoes for more comfortable footwear, benefiting companies such as Crocs. Demand has remained firm this year.

Heydude brings about 43 per cent of its sales from online channels and is known for its lightweight casual shoes. In comparison, Crocs brings in 37 per cent of its sales through its e-commerce division. Heydude has remained insulated from production constraints caused by factory closures in Vietnam, as it predominantly makes its footwear in China. However, the brand has been affected by global freight issues and has seen significant delays and elevated costs in terms of getting its products to the United States.

Crocs which expects its 2021 revenue to grow 65 per cent from last year has launched the All-Terrain Clog and the Classic Slide in a joint collaboration with Pleasures, a street wear brand which draws inspiration from street style, punk and grunge. The latest joint collection unveils two innovative designs that deliver a sleek futuristic feel with all the comfort Crocs is known to provide, while still keeping the trendy, punk and grungy look that dominates Pleasures’ designs.