Aerosoles Launched Be Real Marketing Campaign
The footwear brand has released a new 35-page print catalog to engage legacy shoppers and younger generations.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Retail
Live Poll
Do you trust physical catalogs more than digital ads when you are shopping for products?
Aerosoles has debuted a 35-page direct-mail marketing catalog titled Be Real. The campaign aims to reconnect with long-time customers while attracting younger buyers in an increasingly digitized retail landscape.
Why it matters
The brand is shifting away from purely digital strategies to capitalize on the engagement levels younger consumers have shown toward physical mail. Management hopes this pivot will help revitalize the company following its 2017 bankruptcy and 2022 acquisition.
Aerosoles once operated 200 stores at its peak before closing 74 locations during its 2017 bankruptcy. The new catalog features photography from Stockton, New Jersey, and draws on company archives spanning the brand's 40-year history.
The players
Aerosoles
A footwear brand that has operated for four decades and was previously known for an extensive brick-and-mortar presence.
American Exchange Group
A company that serves as the parent entity for various brands and acquired Aerosoles in 2022.
Jimmy Gabriel
The current president and chief brand officer who is overseeing the brand's new marketing direction.
The details
Designed as a fashion-magazine-style publication, the catalog features real people to create a more authentic brand image. Aerosoles products are currently distributed through its website and major retailers including Amazon, Macy's, Nordstrom, Zappos, DSW, and Belk.
Timeline
Aerosoles was founded in 1987 during a transit strike.
The company filed for bankruptcy in 2017.
American Exchange Group acquired the brand in 2022.
The Be Real marketing campaign launched in October 2026.
Market Landscape
The shift toward physical catalogs reflects a broader industry movement to combat digital fatigue by returning to tangible marketing tactics. This strategy aims to differentiate the brand in a crowded footwear sector where competitors rely heavily on online-only outreach.
Shoppers may begin receiving physical promotional materials in their mailboxes as the brand tests this new marketing channel. The company is also evaluating the potential return of physical storefronts in major cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Charleston.
The takeaway
Direct mail is seeing a surprising resurgence as brands look for ways to cut through the noise of digital advertising. Consumers can expect a more tactile shopping experience as companies rediscover traditional marketing methods to build brand loyalty.
Further reading
For more on industry marketing trends, visit the Retail section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Forbes.
Live Poll
Do you trust physical catalogs more than digital ads when you are shopping for products?
