The Rockport Company, LLC announced sales results for the first half year ended June 30, 2012. For the period, the company reported net sales of EUR 127 million against EUR 114 million a year ago.

The Rockport Company, LLC continues to innovate and modernize its footwear collections, providing metropolitan professionals with comfortable and lightweight footwear that does not sacrifice style, quality, or comfort. For its Spring 2012 collection, the company is gearing up for the global launch of its newest footwear styles for men and women this month: truWALK(zero). The company launch for truWALKzero footwear featuring performance artist Johan Lorbeer in New York City. truWALK(zero) is the culmination of years of research and testing, and is one of the lightest shoes that Rockport has ever designed. Drawing on the company's rich and authentic heritage in designing flexible and lightweight shoes, truWALK(zero) takes cues from performance technologies with a unique sole, which incorporates flex grooves that boast amazing flexibility. As a technologically modern style, the shoes are also infused with Rockport's proprietary truWALK Architecture, which provides a natural full range of foot motion, from shock absorption at heel strike to forefoot flexibility during push off, courtesy of adidas adiPRENE cushioning technology. Additionally, the upper consists of a synthetic mesh that wicks away moisture to keep feet dry, and a padded collar and tongue to help prevent blisters and lace bruising. Not only are truWALK(zero) shoes stylish and comfortable, they also have an EVA outsole that helps to reduce foot fatigue for all day comfort. The company will initially launch two styles of the truWALK(zero) shoes for men and one style for women. The truWALK(zero) T-Toe Sport for men is a sleek, low profile, lace-up sneaker with leather/mesh uppers available in black/charcoal. The truWALK(zero) Wingtip is a dressier low profile, lace-up sneaker for men with wingtip detailing, available in black/charcoal and dark brown/orange. For women, the truWALK(zero) Welded Lace Up is a ghillie style, low profile sneaker in two colorways: black/dark gull grey/lavender, warm grey/white/salmon pink. All the styles include contrasting soles for an added color pop. To support the truWALK(zero) collection at retail, the company will also introduce a global integrated marketing campaign in 2012 including. a consumer contest for a trip on a zero gravity flight (in the US & Canada) with a pair of truWALK(zero) shoes for themselves and a guest by entering at Rockport.com, Rockport.ca, in select Rockport stores, via a QR code, a text message or email. Additionally the launch will be supported with in-store window displays, and a social media campaign. truWALK(zero) footwear have suggested retail values between $120 and $140, and will be found at Rockport retail stores worldwide and select mid-tier retailers, as well as through Rockport.com beginning April 2012.

The Rockport Company, LLC has named Tobias Reiss-Schmidt, currently Rockport's senior vice president of Global Retail and Americas, as the new president and CEO of Rockport, effective July 1, 2012. Michael Rupp, currently at the helm of Rockport, has resigned from the company, effective June 30, 2012. Tobias Reiss-Schmidt has been with the company since 2008 and has held various executive positions in Business Development, Global Retail and Regional Sales Management.