A 6.6% decline in a U.S. market rocked by retail bankruptcies and softening demand for rugged lifestyle shoes more than offset 2.5% growth in international sales resulting in a rugged outdoor market that fell 1.3% in 2016 to $4,176 million. Segment market leaders are losing casual customers to sneakers and athleisure styles as the trend shifted toward brands like Adidas and Puma, in an athletic footwear market that expanded 8.5% to $58 billion last year. The trend has been so strong that smaller rugged brands like Lowa have decided to introduce their first sneakers. Because of their more technical bent, ... Log in to view full article.