| Rykä | |
| Type: | Privately held |
| Foundation: | 1987 |
| Location: | Irvine, California |
| Industry: | Sportswear and sporting goods |
| Products: | Women's athletic shoes and apparel |
| Parent: | Caleres |
| Homepage: | www.ryka.com |
Rykä is an athletic shoe brand for women.
Rykä was founded in 1987 by Sheri Poe, who wanted to design a better-fitting athletic shoe for women.[1] [2] The company also produces athletic apparel for women.
Rykä merged with Global Sports in 1997.[3] Global Sports sold its branded division in 1999 to American Sporting Goods Corporation.[4] The company is now owned by Caleres Inc., who bought American Sporting Goods in 2011.[5] [6]
Poe is credited with introducing Princess Diana to her shoes, through her creation of the Ryka Rose Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to stop violence against women.
Since 2008, Kelly Ripa has been the spokeswoman for Rykä shoes.[7]
The Rykä brand is an example of foreign branding.