Sneakers have always been around and gained its momentum for popularity in Western culture around the mid-eighties the to late nineties due to the sporty nature of basketball athletes such as Michael Jordan and hip hop culture from the likes of Run DMCs Superstars to Jay-Zs Reeboks and skateboarders.
From being worn as a form of athleisure wear and comfort, as well as a laidback way of dressing, to being worn to formal events and luxury brands curating limited-edition versions, sneakers have come a long way to their significance in today’s time.
Social Media
It goes without saying; the internet does play a massive role in influencing the masses digitally. We go onto Instagram and see our favorite celebrities sporting the latest sneakers, and we want to wear the same ones or get interested in having the same aesthetic.
From the need to buy vintage classic pieces to whatever’s currently trending, it’s almost become an obsession helping e-commerce sneaker sites businesses to profit like crazy.
E-Commerce
With the crazy demand and hype culture development in India, a market growing every day, physical retail stores aren’t enough for a population that desires the commodity, and often challenging to come to buy pieces sourced from overseas.
Hence, retail e-commerce stores such as VegNonVeg, CrepDogCrew and social media stores with their own websites have come up to make the job easier and relatively cheaper.
These Indian online sneaker shops stock the latest sneakers worldwide, such as Nike Air Jordans, Air Max, Yeezys and more, which are all legitimate and authentic pieces with prices ranging.
From Regular sneakers at 7k to 9k and limited edition, hard to come to buy pieces from 18k upwards all delivered professionally.
Market for Replicas
With the ever-growing demand for sneakers and everyone trying to get their hands on the latest kicks and get onto the bandwagon, smaller businesses and even roadside or stalls in markets sell replicas, aka fakes of the iconic sneakers.
Found in bigger stores to benefit from the obsession of the public who will do anything to knab a pair to fit the societal norms.
Go to Connaught Place, Khan Market, Tibetan Market and other such market hubs in New Delhi. It won’t be uncommon to find replicas of Yeezy 350s Jordans and numerous knock-offs of big brands such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok, etc.
Their resemblance to the actual shoe is so uncanny it’s hard to tell the difference to the untrained eye. Many online shops do the same, and sellers often get away with it; hence, the necessity of making sure what you get is licensed and legitimate increases tenfold.
Therefore, whether you buy online or from physical stores, the demand for sneakers increases every day, making the sneaker business sales go up by ₹1157 Cr per year.
So much so, luxury fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Off White, Balenciaga and Karl Lagerfeld, too, have collaborated with these sneaker powerheads for expensive limited-edition versions of sneakers have celebrities like Travis Scott, Kanye West and more.
Read More: Athleisure Wear – The Fitness Façade We All Love
