Pros
Honestly, very few. A handful of decent coworkers trying to survive the chaos. At the management level, only one good leader remains. Everyone else has quit or has been laid off. Decent Medical/Dental Insurance, PTO, sick time, and every major holiday off with pay.
Cons
Leadership Turnover: K-Swiss is a legacy footwear brand with potential, but unfortunately much of it remains untapped due to inconsistent leadership, a lack of strategic direction, and internal dysfunction. Zero Transparency: All decisions are made at the HQ located in China, and passed down without explanation. The President of K-Swiss U.S. operations is a puppet. Really nice guy, and could likely turn the company around, but unfortunately he has no real say in company direction, operations, finances, staffing, or just about anything. Lack of Vision: There’s no cohesive long-term brand or business strategy, which affects product direction and internal morale. Understaffed and Overworked: Many departments operate with skeleton crews, leading to burnout and frustration. Weak Culture: Company culture lacks unity and direction; team collaboration varies widely by manager. Below-Market Compensation: Salaries are not competitive with industry standards, especially considering the workload and expectations. Raises are rare, and no bonus incentives. Not even for the sales team. Ownership Challenges: Since being acquired by Xtep in 2019, K-Swiss has struggled to integrate into Xtep's broader strategy. The brand was sold back to Xtep's controlling shareholder in 2024 due to ongoing financial losses and underperformance . This instability has further hindered the brand's ability to execute a clear and consistent strategy. Job Insecurity: The company's financial struggles have led to job cuts and restructuring efforts, contributing to a sense of instability among employees. The lack of clear communication regarding these changes has further eroded trust in leadership. Everyone is afraid their job will eventually move to China.