Post by MASS Shoes

How does a Slovenian footwear retailer acquire a traditional Austrian company several times its size? That was the question Dag Kralj, Managing Director at MASS Shoes, opened at this year’s Slovenska marketinška konferenca - SMK in Portorož. The answer is not only in numbers. It is in discipline, focus and the ability to listen to the customer before the market forces you to. As a speaker at SMK, Dag shared the story behind PONDS /Mass’ acquisition of Leder & Schuh AG — the company behind iconic Austrian footwear brands HUMANIC & SHOE4YOU (Brands of Leder & Schuh AG). But his message went beyond the acquisition itself. It was about having the ambition to look beyond your home market, understanding the specifics of each local market, and building teams that can turn strategy into execution. Most importantly, it was about staying close to the customer in an industry where trends and expectations change every season. This journey was made possible by a clear retail concept, deep customer insight, a strong company culture and a belief that there is no universal formula for success in footwear retail. As Dag put it: the customer is always right — we just need to know how to listen. Thank you to Slovenska marketinška konferenca - SMK, Društvo za marketing Slovenije – DMS and Časnik Finance for creating a space where business, marketing and growth stories from our region get the stage they deserve. We are proud that Dag had the opportunity to share our story and perspective with the SMK audience. Dream big. Then build the team, culture and execution to match it. #Mass #SMK2026 Photo credit: Slovenska marketinška konferenca - SMK