Brooks saw strong brand demand in the first quarter across retail channels as it overcame pandemic-related supply chain and inventory hurdles, and brought innovation to market through new products and experiences.
Building Performance Gear for Every Speed and Surface
Brooks’ product innovation and human-based insights continue to shine as the brand looks to meet the evolving needs of runners. Brooks’ advancements in nitrogen-infused midsoles—now offered in its cushion, speed, and trail shoes—provide a growing community of runners with products that meet their unique needs. In January, Brooks introduced the Hyperion Max to its speed category, featuring nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH and Rapid Roll rocker technology, with plans to introduce amplified cushioning and additional rocker technology in new styles later this year.
Brooks’ cushioning innovation is also winning with runners and walkers with Glycerin franchise sales up 200% year over year. The Glycerin GTS 20 took lead market share in premium priced adult running stability shoes ($150+) at U.S. retail in March.3 In April, the Glycerin 20 was named a finalist by SHAPE magazine in the Best Shoes for Walking category.
Brooks expanded its performance trail product offerings with the introduction of the new High Point head-to-toe trail apparel collection. The collection is engineered to deliver optimal range of motion and weather-proof technology to meet the specific needs of trail runners. The brand also launched the Catamount 2 trail shoe, featuring a new SkyVault propulsion plate and TrailTrack rubber outsole for stability and traction on a variety of wet and dry terrain.
Furthering Commitment to Running Responsibly
In April, Brooks issued its annual Corporate Responsibility Performance Report, which communicates the brand’s progress toward its corporate responsibility commitments.
In January, Brooks’ near and long-term science-based emission targets were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In accordance with those targets, Brooks reduced Scope 3 carbon emissions per unit of production by 6% from 2021. Brooks also launched the carbon neutral Ghost 15 in 2022, offsetting 53,140 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions through high-quality offsets to make its largest volume product carbon neutral. In line with its commitment to maintain an ethical and sustainable supply chain, Brooks implemented TrusTrace, a leading traceability software, to deepen visibility across our manufacturing supply chain and help identify and mitigate responsible sourcing and business continuity risks.
Also summarized in the report was Brooks’ progress against fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. In 2022, Brooks’ representation of women among global employees was at 54% (up 1% from 2021 and outpacing its goal of 50%), and the company exceeded its goal of 30%+ representation of BIPOC among U.S. employees (35% in 2022). For the third consecutive year, Brooks achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to LGBTQ+ employees.
Investing in the Community, Advancing the Sport
In 2022, Brooks invested $5.4 million in community impact initiatives, with a focus on supporting youth running and partners that advance people’s health and wellbeing. In March, Brooks launched Future Run, its new youth running initiative to champion youth and help them discover the lifelong benefits of the run and its community. Future Run aims to reach one million young runners in the U.S. over the next five years, supported by a $10 million investment in youth running teams, organizations, and coaches. parkrun, the largest weekly free community event for runners and walkers and Brooks’ new global partner, hit a new participation record in April at over 320,000 runners and walkers worldwide. Brooks and parkrun are working together to foster continual growth of the global running community.
At the 127th Boston Marathon, 10 Brooks athletes raced in the elite men’s, women’s, and para-athletic fields. In her debut marathon performance, Erika Kemp, who joined team Brooks in March, ran 2:33:57, making her the fastest U.S.-born Black woman marathoner and a trailblazer for expanding participation in the sport.
Timed to Boston, Brooks launched the first-ever Des x Run Boston collection, designed in collaboration with Brooks’ Chief Running Advisor Des Linden to celebrate the five-year anniversary of her 2018 Boston Marathon win. The collection features Linden’s trusted Hyperion Tempo training shoe accented with iridescent raindrops, apparel emblazoned with her “Keep Showing Up” mantra, and a reflective, weather-proof Run Visible jacket.
