After admittedly once paying $10,000 for a vintage pair of sneakers, rapper/entrepreneur Fat Joe recently "smartened up" to the game and released his new "Protege" line of shoes to be sold exclusively at Sears and Kmart. The kicks, which retail for $39.99, are designed to appeal to urban youth, specifically those whose parents cannot afford $200 Air Jordan's or $700 Air Yeezy's. As a businessman, some may say that Joe might lose profit selling his product at such a low price. I vehemently disagree. The sneakers, which cost about 2 or 3 bucks to manufacture, will probably sell faster considering the low price during this recession. If he's still clearing over $30 per pair that is still an awesome profit. He'll make up for the price cut but selling more volume, that is if folks still shop at Kmart. Truth is, the $100 dollar pair of sneakers that sell at Foot Locker cost the same to manufacture (see my Final Call op-ed entitled "Sneaker Pimps.)" "All the best" to you on your new shoe line, Joe. I'm sure some single mother working two jobs, trying to keep the steaks in the freezer thanks you. If only we could get Mike to follow Joe's lead. Wouldn't $40 Air Jordans be a nice? I'm sure all the single mothers and struggling dads in the hood think so. But who cares what we think, as long as we a willing to pay the price for the white man's ice. I'm just sayin' though.
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