Are limited-edition sneakers still special when buyers can reserve them via app like a pizza or a pair of movie tickets? Adidas hopes so.
The German sportswear giant just launched Confirmed, a mobile platform that will let sneakerheads skip the long lines at Foot Locker, obscure shoe lotteries, and the occasional disturbance of the peace that come with the sale of a rare pair of shoes. "You hear a lot of chatter and frustration that the existing system is somehow rigged for friends of friends or VIP customers," said Simon Atkins, the company’s vice president of brand activation. "We saw a real opportunity to change the paradigm with customers."
Here’s how it works: Consumers who download the app, register with personal details, and allow push notifications from Adidas will get offers to reserve limited-edition shoes and apparel as they become available. Those who respond first are given the right to buy the products at a certain time and place, both in Adidas-owned stores and other retailers.