United Shoe Retailers Association

What United Shoe Retailers Association does

United Shoe Retailers Association (USRA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association incorporated in 1977 and headquartered in Valencia, California. Originally founded as the Western Shoe Retailers Association (WSRA) by members of the Western Shoe Associates trade show, the organization rebranded and repositioned to serve members nationwide. USRA's primary constituents are independent shoe retailers, footwear sales representatives (USR division), vendors and manufacturers (USV division), and — more recently — ready-to-wear retailers. The association provides cost-saving benefits, networking, and education to a membership base of small, independent footwear businesses.

USRA's product surface centers on three pillars: an annual membership program with tiered benefits (insurance, UPS shipping discounts claimed as the highest in the footwear industry, ADP payroll/HR, POS/inventory systems, bankcard processing, email marketing, and industry publications); the annual May Event, a multi-day conference at resort venues featuring speakers, panels, roundtables, a trade show, and a golf tournament; and a recurring webinar and trade-show seminar series (including sessions at The IR Show). Supporting services include a job board, an In Memoriam tribute program, and a monthly enewsletter. USRA itself does not build proprietary technology beyond a WordPress website, Constant Contact email platform, and Google Analytics.

USRA is funded through two primary revenue streams: recurring membership dues (annual billing, pricing not publicly disclosed) and event/sponsorship fees from the May Event's Diamond/Platinum/Gold/Silver sponsorship tiers. The organization operates with a 1–10 person staff led by Executive Director Linda Hauss, with strategic direction set by a 12-member volunteer Board of Directors chaired by Rosco Rolnick (owner of Guarantee Shoe Center). USRA is member-owned and controlled, with no parent company, no external investors, and no institutional funding.

Name

United Shoe Retailers Association

Legal name

United Shoe Retailers Association

Website

https://usraonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Shoe Retailers Association (USRA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1977 that serves independent shoe retailers, sales reps, and vendors nationwide through membership benefits, educational webinars, and the annual May Event.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Shoe Retailers (458210)

SIC

Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)

akta.pro primary industry

Athletic & Performance Footwear Retail (CRAAADAA)

Keywords

• Footwear trade association
• Retail membership benefits
• Shoe industry networking
• Footwear industry events
• Retail trade community

Headquarters

HQ city

Valencia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: USRA generates revenue through membership fees from independent shoe retailers, sales reps, and vendors. The association provides cost-saving benefits including insurance, bankcards, shipping, business management services, email marketing, POS & inventory management, travel, office supplies, and industry publications.
2. Event Fees and Sponsorships: Revenue generated from the annual May Event including retailer registration packages and vendor sponsorship tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver sponsorships).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Shoe Retailers Association (USRA) is a non-profit trade association that serves the footwear industry through tiered membership programs for independent shoe retailers, sales reps, and vendors. Its core offering combines cost-saving benefits (insurance, shipping discounts, payroll/HR services, POS systems, bankcard processing) with annual networking events (May Event) and educational content (webinars, trade show seminars) designed to help independent retailers run their businesses more profitably.

Product overview

USRA is a non-profit trade association incorporated in 1977 serving the footwear industry through a membership-based model. The organization offers tiered membership for Independent Shoe Retailers, Sales Reps, and Vendors, providing cost-saving benefits (insurance, shipping, payroll, POS systems), educational content (webinars, workshops), and networking events. The flagship product is the annual May Event, a multi-day conference featuring speakers, panels, roundtables, trade shows, and golf tournaments. USRA also organizes trade show seminars and publishes regular enewsletters. The association operates a job board connecting industry professionals and maintains an In Memoriam program honoring deceased members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• USRA Membership Annual membership program for Independent Shoe Retailers, Ready To Wear Retailers, Sales Reps, and Vendors providing cost-saving benefits, networking opportunities, and educational resources for the footwear industry.
• USRA May Event Annual multi-day networking and educational conference for the footwear industry featuring speakers, workshops, roundtables, panels, trade show access, and a golf tournament held at resort venues.
• USRA Trade Show Events Seminars and networking activities hosted at industry trade shows including The IR Show, featuring educational sessions on topics like cash flow and data-driven marketing.
• USRA Webinar Series Virtual educational sessions covering retail reopening strategies, business resilience, cashflow forecasting, SBA loan programs, and other business management topics for the footwear industry.
• USRA Job Board Platform connecting footwear industry professionals for job placement, featuring listings for job seekers and open positions from member companies.
• Retailer Membership Benefits Benefits package for retailer members including insurance programs, POS systems, store displays, trunk show incentives, inventory planning, 3D footwear data, bankcard processing, and graphic design services.
• Sales Rep Membership Benefits Benefits package for sales rep members including sales incentives, employee retention credit assistance, consulting, bankcard processing, and business consulting services.
• Vendor Membership Benefits Cost-saving benefits for vendor members including education, networking, shipping programs, insurance, payroll services, digital marketing, and foot scanning technology partnerships.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The IR ShowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IR Show is a key industry trade show partner. USRA has a booth at The IR Show and sponsors morning donuts. USRA organizes seminars at The IR Show including '1st Party Data: The Way to Grow Your Business 30% in 2023' with Omni Digital and 'Creating Fun & Cash Flow At The Same Time' with Dan Jablons.
• FDRA (Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDRA is listed as a featured organization on USRA's Our Story page, indicating a strategic partnership within the footwear industry association ecosystem.
• Two Ten FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo Ten Foundation provides support and financial assistance to footwear families in need. Listed as an industry partner providing resources for COVID-19 support and general industry assistance.
• Soles4SoulscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoles4Souls is listed as an industry partner on the USRA website, supporting the footwear industry ecosystem through shoe donation and distribution programs.
• SBDC (America's Small Business Development Centers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSRA partnered with SBDC to deliver two educational sessions: 'Cashflow Forecasting & Recovery Readiness' and 'SBA Loan Programs and Re-Opening for Business' during the pandemic period.
• Liberty Co Insurance BrokerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUSRA Insurance Program partner offering insurance services to members. Liberty Co provides group insurance rates through the association membership.
• ADPcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPayroll, HR & Tax Services partner for USRA members, providing discounted payroll processing and HR services.
• UPScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUSRA Shipping Program offers higher discounts than any other trade association, buying group, or co-op in the footwear industry. Services include vendor routing instructions, shipping issue resolution, and in-house logistics support at no additional cost.
• Constant ContactminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmail marketing services partner providing discounted rates for USRA members.
• AetrexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScanning technology partner with foot scanning data portal for retailers. Featured VIP sponsor and supporter of USRA May Event.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Retail Federation (NRF): NRF is the world's largest retail trade association serving all retail verticals with advocacy, education, and the BIG Show. Comparable to USRA in delivering trade-association value (events, education, networking) to independent retailers, but at vastly larger scale and broader scope.
• American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA): AAFA is a broader apparel and footwear trade association serving brands, retailers, and manufacturers with policy advocacy and industry data. Comparable to USRA in representing footwear stakeholders but at a much larger scale and with a brand/manufacturer tilt rather than independent retail focus.

Others

• Soles4Souls: Soles4Souls distributes donated shoes to people in need and operates micro-enterprise programs. Listed as a USRA industry partner; comparable as a footwear-industry-aligned nonprofit serving shared stakeholders.
• Retail Council of New York / State Retail Associations: State and regional retail trade associations (Retail Council of NY, California Retailers Association) offer advocacy, networking, and education to local retailers. Comparable to USRA in serving independent retailer members with cost-saving and educational programming, but with state-level rather than vertical-specific focus.
• Two Ten Footwear Foundation: Two Ten is the footwear industry's charitable foundation providing financial assistance and wellness programs to footwear employees. Listed as a core USRA partner; comparable as an ecosystem participant serving the same independent retail and workforce community.

Direct peers

• National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA): NSRA was a historical footwear trade association serving independent shoe retailers before ceasing major operations. Comparable to USRA in mission and target membership base; serves as a historical reference point for USRA's positioning in the footwear association landscape.
• Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA): FDRA is the largest US footwear trade association, directly comparable to USRA in serving footwear retailers and distributors with advocacy, networking, and trade show programming. Both organizations target the same independent footwear retail ecosystem and are featured partners on each other's sites.

Regional players

• Western Shoe Associates (WSA): WSA is the trade show organization from which USRA was originally spun off in 1977. Comparable as a footwear-industry event organizer targeting the same West Coast independent retailer base; USRA still participates in WSA-affiliated programming.
• The IR Show (Independent Retailer Show): The IR Show is a key footwear and accessories trade show where USRA has a booth and sponsors seminars. Comparable as a footwear industry event channel serving overlapping attendees (independent retailers, brands, sales reps).

Emerging players

• Independent Retailers Association / Buying Group Equivalent: Various buying groups and retail alliances (e.g., Associated Buyers, MGMA-style cooperatives) serve independent specialty retailers with group purchasing benefits. Comparable to USRA's cost-saving mission but typically without the trade show and advocacy layer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/USRA_Shoes
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedShoeRetailersAssn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-shoe-retailers-association-usra-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Shoe Retailers Association