Allbirds has a comeback plan-winning over the fashion crowd

"On a recent stroll by my local Allbirds store in Harvard Square, I had to do a double take. In the window, the brand was advertising its new Varsity collection: a '70s-inspired sneaker line with a rubber sole and a feminine color palette that weaves together pink, olive green, mustard, and brick red. It's an unmistakably fashionable shoe that wouldn't look out of place at New Balance and Saucony, or even Valentino and Celine."

"Allbirds, which launched in 2014, isn't known for chasing trends. It has always led with sustainability, starting with the "wool runner" that quickly became a cult sneaker in tech circles. Over the years, it hasn't strayed far from this original aesthetic. It's made high-tops, performance running shoes, and slip-ons with a quiet, minimal design so the focus would remain on the materials."

"Since going public in 2021, the company's stock has fallen roughly 80%, leaving it with a market capitalization of approximately $32 million as of early 2026. In 2024, Allbirds reported $190 million in revenue, down from $254 million the year before. More recent financial reports show continued revenue declines and ongoing losses. In January, the company announced it would close all 20 of its full-price U.S. stores by the end of this month as part of a broader effort to cut costs."

Allbirds launched in 2014 and built a reputation on sustainability and the wool runner. The brand maintained a quiet, minimal aesthetic focused on materials, producing high-tops, performance running shoes, and slip-ons. Fashion has shifted toward vintage silhouettes and expressive colors, rendering sustainability table stakes. Allbirds introduced a '70s-inspired Varsity collection featuring rubber soles and feminine colors like pink, olive, mustard, and brick red. Since going public in 2021, the company’s stock fell roughly 80%, with market capitalization near $32 million in early 2026. Revenue fell from $254 million to $190 million in 2024, with continued declines and losses. The company will close 20 full-price U.S. stores to cut costs.

Read at Fast Company