O&A Having grown up in the family business, Kanter the Kanner Corporation fold, he is quick to ner says footwear is in his blood. And when he respond: “That’s out of the question right now. is not intensively training for various Ironman The exclusive labels we distribute represent a perfect blend of comfort, fashion and wellness.” Equally fresh is Kanner’s tell-itlike-it-is approach on a range of topics. For example, when asked whether he thinks the economy will be on What are you reading? a day, who would it be? Sir the mend in 2010, he replies, “Media “Salome,” a tragedy by Oscar Winston Churchill, fightand government keep hinting at a Wilde, and Steven Ozment’s ing tyranny during WWII. It recovery and inciting consumers to “A Mighty Fortress: A New would be an inside look at hisspend more to drive the economy. History of the German People.” tory in the making. But what’s good for the economy is not necessarily good for the individWhat’s on your iPod? Anna Which do you fear more: ual. What the consumer really needs Netrebko, Otmar Liebert, The global warming or financial to do is to stop overly spending and Beatles and my daughter’s meltdown? Neither really, but start saving.” As for any pause in Miley Cyrus. further financial turmoil is the era of insatiable greed, Kanner likely to affect us in our lifetime. offers this summation: “The econWhat did you want to be As an importer of European omy will bounce back, but we may when you grew up? Every footwear, we are at the conbe facing a ‘new normal’—perhaps young boy in Quebec dreams of stant mercy of volatile currency the dawn of a new austerity. While being a hockey star. markets. No matter how well it could prove challenging for busiwe hedge our bets, foreign ness, the adjustment in consumer If you could hire anyone who exchange is a constant gamble. behavior was well overdue. Housewould it be? Barack Obama. It hold savings rates in the U.S. are might be a good PR move. As a new decade dawns, can ridiculously low as compared with it be any worse then the prethe European Union overall.” NevWhat was your first-ever pay- vious one? There remains an ertheless, Kanner believes his proding job? At age 15, I became astounding lack of financial ucts serve more as investments in one of the first Birkenstock reps literacy. Look at our generaareas like health and wellness, and in Canada (my father owned tion and its impetuous ways. therefore are not as impacted by the distribution license), sellWe have had it relatively easy consumers who may be cutting back ing to local stores around my and take much for granted. My on frivolous spending. hometown of Montreal. I was a parents grew up smack dab in Kanner’s success coupled with his little kid trying to sell shoes out the middle of WWII, and they family’s longevity in Canada (under of a duffel bag—with limited worked harder for their money the name Serum International) success (laughs). I got the pasand managed it vigilantly. They is validation of their controlled sion early for this business. taught me how to manage growth philosophies, a fact that bemoney carefully very early on. comes even more noteworthy conWhat is your motto? “Persidering the family entered the footsistence and determination What is your favorite homewear business by accident. Before alone are omnipotent.” I town memory? Playing ice landing the Birkenstock license, borrowed that from Calvin hockey on outdoor rinks in Kanner’s parents sold fine GermanCoolidge. -20 degrees and the Montreal made laboratory glassware. “We saw Canadiens winning four conBirkenstock’s medical virtues and If you could be anyone for secutive Stanley Cups. sold it primarily to health stores and medical facilities,” he says. Little did they know then how the market competitions (he’s currently prepping for the for well-made German comfort footwear brands France edition) and marathons (he was the would take North America by storm. “At the beyoungest finisher in the Montreal marathon at ginning, many retailers laughed at the concept, age 14; his next race will take place in Los An[but] today it is one of the most sought after catgeles this March), he’s all about shoes. Kanner egories worldwide,” Kanner says. “We still have and his wife and business partner, Teri, are busy a small medical division. It’s just that now we raising two young children while also rearing are 98 percent footwear and maybe 2 percent four shoe brands. When asked whether he conglassware.”
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siders himself a triathlete or a shoe executive first, Kanner says, “My wife thinks I’m crazy. She says I love my bike more than I love her. But I’m a shoe executive first. The triathlon training is my therapy as I juggle a busy career and family life.” It may not be the quintessential CEO’s life, but it works for Kanner. “Controlled chaos and the eternal quest for balance is more like it,” he says of his busy schedule. “It’s really more about maintaining a lifestyle of health and wellness.” How has Snipe been received in the U.S. market to date? Very well, despite the challenging environment. Understandably, retailers are reluctant to commit until they see proven results, but we went with a soft launch for Spring ’10 with a number of select retailers and we expect Snipe’s fall business to triple in size. And while our decision to launch a new brand came in the face of severely adverse conditions, we immediately recognized its long-term growth potential and couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Snipe stands for a sustainable lifestyle, and it’s different yet functional without neglecting the fun fashion aspect. The shoes are comfortable and made of high-quality, all-natural materials. They are also very well made and therefore last a long time. Timeless design holds up for more than one season, and this is sustainable, too. I also believe that one should never get too comfortable or complacent in business. While challenging times call for prudent decisions, this was a calculated move and a long-term investment in our future. We believe this will be a brand to be reckoned with. And the fact that Snipe was recently acquired and rebranded by Gabor makes it that much more compelling. Gabor’s organization, marketing and logistics are unparalleled. Having a powerhouse parent like them looking over you with a watchful eye is sure to spell success for Snipe. They have the capital to make it work. Where do you think the green movement stands from a footwear perspective, now that the initial hype appears to have waned? I strongly believe there is room for this concept. The conscientious consumer strives to act and shop more ethically while continuing to enjoy a healthy, high-end lifestyle. It is the Whole Foods