Vibram USA, Inc., which turned Vibram FiveFingers into a $100 million brand within five years of retail launch, has joined Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (Grassroots) as a vendor partner.

Vibram USA has been a big hit with outdoor specialty dealers not only because of Vibram FiveFingers but because of its early decision in 2005 not to sell the trend setting shoes to Internet-only retailers. FiveFinger also does not authorize dealers to list products for sale on third-party sites like Amazon. All online sales must run through an authorized dealer’s own e-commerce site.
 
“The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is very excited that Vibram has chosen to join our group,” said Mike Plante, owner of Travel Country Outdoors and longtime member of Grassroots. “After many discussions it was apparent that the synergy of this family owned company and their long term history in the outdoor industry was in step with the independent owners of The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance. Vibram was the catalyst of the minimalist movement and all of our members have enjoyed great success with the brand. We feel confident that as partners we can keep exposing the Vibram brand and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance together as innovators in the outdoor community and beyond!”

With obvious mutual goals, the partnership brings forward many opportunities for the Vibram brand and retail members of Grassroots.

 
“Vibram is excited to become a vendor partner of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance,” said Michael Martin, general manager for Vibram North America. “While doing a brisk Vibram FiveFingers business with many of the retail members for several years, Vibram recognizes that it has been represented in the stores on other vendor’s footwear for far longer. We are excited about the future that this partnership can bring to Vibram.”

According to Dawson Wheeler Chairman of the Grassroots Vendor Committee and co-owner of Rock/Creek, “We are extremely excited to begin a working partnership with Vibram. They clearly are a company of free thinkers who design technical minimalist footwear. This company fits directly into Specialty retail and our partnership with further our education and support best practices with use and fitting. “