Being a star in one’s sport does not guarantee brand success. Many internationally renowned basketball and soccer players have faced this challenge. Yet Kilian Jornet—accustomed to covering hundreds of miles at record-breaking speeds—is proving otherwise with Nnormal.
In 2022, as the world emerged from the COVID-19 crisis, the trail-running legend partnered with Mallorca-based footwear brand Camper to create a new sportswear label. The journey began with a single-shoe model built on three core principles: high performance, minimalist design, and sustainability.
Kilian Jornet is the leading ambassador for Nnormal, competing in trail races. – Nnormal
Three years later, the brand offers trail competition shoes under its Kjerag line and versatile outdoor footwear with the Tomir range. It has expanded into technical apparel for men and women and is now distributed by over 1,000 retailers worldwide, primarily in specialty running and mountain stores.
“Our approach is to launch one new product per year. Since our inception, we have more than doubled our activity annually. Our goal is to maintain this growth rate for the next two to three years,” said Romuald Brun, brand director for Europe, who declined to disclose revenue figures.
“We initially prioritized Spain, France, Italy, and the United States. We now have 150 retailers in Spain and 100 in France; major sports retailers have shown interest. This is a remarkable achievement for a startup like ours,” says the executive, highlighting that orders increased 140% for the fall-winter season, with the sales campaign concluding a few weeks ago. He also notes that retailers are expanding their Nnormal offerings in their stores.
Last year, the brand generated 60% of its footwear sales from its Tomir 2 model. Nnormal has now introduced the Kjerag Brut, designed for extreme weather conditions. It features reinforced outsoles for icy terrain and breathable mesh uppers for hot climates. The focus remains durability—building products that last over time, a key appeal for environmentally conscious consumers.
The Tomir 2 is driving Nnormal’s sales. – Nnormal
The brand aims to drive product innovation, combining distinctive aesthetics with a unique approach to footwear. As emerging brands like Satisfy and Roa redefine the sportswear market, Nnormal distinguishes itself with performance-driven design.
On its website, the brand offers the KBoix model, priced at €240. It features two interchangeable outsoles tailored for different running distances. This highly specialized product is designed for athletes with specific technical needs.
Nnormal has also implemented a sustainable packaging system developed by Invisible Company, using biodegradable bags that dissolve in hot water, reinforcing its commitment to environmental responsibility.
The young brand has two major strengths in the highly competitive sports footwear market. With a trail-running legend as its co-founder, it has an unmatched ambassador, instantly making it visible among retailers worldwide. For over a decade, Kilian Jornet has dominated ultra-trail races, tackling extreme challenges and leaving a lasting impression far beyond the world of sports. Through films and projects, he has also promoted a message of environmental respect, raising awareness about the threats to natural ecosystems.
Nnormal pioneered the use of biodegradable packaging. – Nnormal
The second major advantage of Nnormal is its backing from Camper. “The brand’s emergence wouldn’t have been possible without the group,” says Romuald Brun. “Camper provides essential support functions, including logistics, IT, and finance. These elements were crucial in meeting demand and keeping us on track. However, we must still focus on profitability, as we operate as an independent entity.”
This support extends to product development. Kilian Jornet collaborates with Mallorcan shoemakers to craft high-performance footwear, while Régis Tosetti, Nnormal’s artistic director, also works for both brands. He oversees both branding and product design, bringing a lifestyle-inspired aesthetic to Nnormal.
The brand’s visual identity, characterized by bold photography and unconventional graphic elements, reinforces its distinct positioning in the sportswear sector while emphasizing its commitment to sustainability. The connection with Camper is also evident in product design, particularly in construction techniques. Camper’s expertise in stitching has been incorporated into the Tomir 2 model, where a reinforced seam links the upper and the sole.
The brand is expanding into alpine disciplines. – Nnormal
Will Nnormal be available in Camper Lab stores or within Camper’s retail network? “That’s not in our plans,” says Romuald Brun. “However, we see real interest from lifestyle retailers drawn to the outdoor industry, including some Camper-affiliated stores. This could present an interesting opportunity.” While its footwear and minimalist apparel may appeal to concept stores beyond the sports sector, Nnormal will not develop products specifically for this market segment.
Instead, the brand wants to expand into high-altitude sports and strengthen its presence in major sporting events. Last weekend, it was present with its athletes at the Ultra-Trail Chianti, with a long-term goal of making Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc a key moment for boosting its global recognition.
On Friday, France demanded a series of measures from Shein to demonstrate that the products sold on its website comply with the law, but dropped its initial request for a total three-month suspension of the online platform, which had been based on the sale of child-like sex dolls and prohibited weapons.
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At a hearing before the Paris court, a lawyer representing the state said that Shein must implement controls on its website, including age verification and filtering, to ensure that minors cannot access pornographic content. The state asked the court to impose a suspension of Shein’s marketplace until Shein has provided proof to Arcom, the French communications regulator, that these controls have been implemented.
Shein deactivated its marketplace- where third-party sellers offer their products- in France on November 5, after authorities discovered illegal items for sale, but its site selling Shein-branded clothing remains accessible. The state invoked Article 6.3 of France’s Digital Economy Act, which empowers judges to order measures to prevent or halt harm caused by online content.
“We don’t claim to be here to replace the European Commission,” the state’s lawyer said. “We are not here today to regulate; we are here to prevent harm, in the face of things that are unacceptable.” At the time of writing, the hearing is still ongoing.
In a statement issued last week, the Paris public prosecutor’s office said that a three-month suspension could be deemed “disproportionate” in light of European Court of Human Rights case law if Shein could prove that it had ceased all sales of illegal products. However, the public prosecutor’s office said it “fully supported” the government’s request that Shein provide evidence of the measures taken to stop such sales.
France’s decision comes against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Chinese giants such as Shein and Temu under the EU’s Digital Services Act, reflecting concerns about consumer safety, the sale of illegal products, and unfair competition. In the US, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Monday that he was investigating Shein to determine whether the fast-fashion retailer had violated state law relating to unethical labour practices and the sale of dangerous consumer products.
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BasicNet’s Kappa turns back the sporting clock for its new AW25 collection, which celebrates “local heroes in football” with a community-focused campaign “honouring the places and people that inspire a lifelong love of the game”.
Image: Kappa
The campaign shines a light on local talent Tyrone Marsh in his hometown of Bedford, revisiting the streets, pitches and community spots “that shaped his football journey”.
Local photographer Simon Gill, who had pictured Marsh during many home and away games, not only “captures the Bedford Town player in the spaces that helped define his skill”, but also highlights the brand’s “rich football heritage with contemporary streetwear energy, creating visuals that pay tribute to community, culture and grassroots football”.
The journey includes Hartwell Drive, the early days of his after-school kickabouts, Hillgrounds Road, synonymous with Bedford football culture, and then onto Faraday Square, locally identified by the concrete pitches and community spirit.
To reflect that journey, the AW25 collection “offers a sense of nostalgia” with Kappa’s long-standing history in fashion and sports “seen through the Omini logo placements and 222 Banda strip”.
The campaign sees Marsh wearing Kappa styles including the Lyman and Uriah Track Tops paired with the Ulrich Track Pants in classic colourways including navy and light blue.
The wider collection includes track tops, track pants, shorts, polos, sweatshirts and T-shirts, available at select retailers across the UK including 80s Casual Classics, Terraces Menswear and RD1 Clothing.
UK footfall down in November? Blame the Budget and bad weather. Those two important factors damaged shoppers’ desire to venture out, resulting in an albeit slender 0.8% year-on-year dip in footfall last month, with all types of destinations suffering. It was also the seventh consecutive footfall decline, noted the latest British Retail Consortium (BRC)/Sensormatic report
Image: Nigel Taylor
That meant visits to high streets were down 1.2% in November and down from a 0.6% rise in October; shopping centre footfall dipped 1.3% last month, down from a 0.9% dip in October; and retail park visits were down 0.4% in November, but were better than a 0.5% dip in October.
The BRC also noted that November’s Storm Claudia prompted many consumers to search online for Black Friday deals throughout November, leading some to not visit physical stores on Black Friday.
But there was good news, with some northern UK cities – including Manchester and Sheffield – continuing to buck the trend, “recording positive footfall for the eighth consecutive month”.
So with many shoppers holding off on store visits until this month, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “With the Golden Quarter in full swing, retailers are continuing to invest what they can to entice customers into stores over Christmas.
“However, as we approach the New Year, given the downward trend in footfall across recent years, we need a comprehensive strategy to revitalise our high streets and shopping centres, from better transport, affordable parking, to a reformed planning system to enable faster, better development.”
Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, added: “November may have been dominated by caution, but there are glimmers of hope. The Golden Quarter isn’t over yet, and with four of our predicted Top Five shopping days still to come, the festive season could deliver the lift retailers need. A last-minute rush may top off the year, turning caution into celebration. With the right balance of value, convenience, and experience, there’s still time to make December count.”