Crocs sales soar in fashion comeback

No, you didn't imagine it. The Academy Awards' musical director Questlove really did wear a pair of crocs on the Oscars red carpet this year. But they were spray-painted gold for the special occasion.

Whether you love them or loathe them, crocs are making a comeback.

On Tuesday, the shoe-maker reported record sales in the first three months of the year and raised its revenue outlook for 2021.

Sales rose 64% to $460m (£331m) in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. Pre-tax profit grew to $122.5m between January and March from a previous $18.7m.

Crocs' chief executive, Andrew Rees, now expects sales for the full year to rise by as much as 50%, compared to an increase of up to 25% the company predicted in February.

Demand for Crocs is "stronger than ever" across the world, said Mr Rees.

Branded by some as the "it-shoe" of the pandemic, people have turned to the divisive footwear company for comfy clogs to pair with leggings and hoodies during lockdown.