Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Instead of Labor Day Sales, This Shoe Brand Is Helping Americans Find Jobs

Red Wing Shoes
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Labor Day weekend is usually known to be one of the best times to score a great deal on apparel, grooming products, cars, and more. It’s typically known as “back to school” season, where we get ready to throw in the sandy towel of summer and prepare for fall. As we prepare to lose our “summer Fridays” and get ready for colder temps, shopping a can’t-beat-it sale always seemed comforting.

But this year’s end of summer holiday weekend just feels different. Between the pandemic, racial injustices, and the buzz of the election, shopping might be the last thing on our minds. Plus, unemployment rates are at a near all-time high, and many people don’t have the extra cash to blow on a new wardrobe.

Recommended Videos

That’s why Red Wing Shoes decided to act. The Minnesota-born boot company created the #LaborDayOn initiative. Instead of promoting shoes this Labor Day, the brand is promoting all the current open positions at the company to help America find work. And they are rallying other businesses to do the same. The goal is to reclaim a holiday that has become associated with exclusive steals and deals back to its true meaning: To celebrate the American worker.

New Balance, General Mills, Polaris, Land O’Lakes, and Sleep Number are just a few of more than 50 brands that have joined the initiative so far. On September 7th, they too will be using their marketing channels to post all job openings available using the hashtag #LaborDayOn. From part time Retail Associate roles to a Senior Web Developer, no job or business is too big or too small.

Labor Day is especially meaningful to Red Wing, a brand that has made boots for the workers who have built America for over 115 years. “Our hope is to start a movement and leverage our own channels to highlight these jobs and help Americans end Labor Day on a high note — with a new job to celebrate,” said Dave Schneider, Chief Marketing Officer at Red Wing Shoe Company.“But we know as one brand we can’t do it alone. That’s why we are calling on brands across the country to join us in reclaiming Labor Day for the workers of this country. And right now, that means helping as many Americans as we can get back to work.”

In addition to print and digital marketing, Red Wing has transformed over 500 stores across the nation into job centers for people to apply locally. Furthermore, the company switched its customer service line, 800-RED-WING, into a job search hotline to offer free guidance to connect the unemployed to more open positions.

If you’re on the job hunt, search the hashtag #LaborDayOn on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And if you’re a brand that wishes to participate, visit redwingshoes.com for assets and information. A single job posting could turn a family’s life around, especially in the wake of an unemployment crisis.

The true meaning of Labor Day was never about a door buster deal. But how can we celebrate work when work is scarce? The #LaborDayOn initiative might be the answer.

Vanessa Powell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Vanessa is a freelance Fashion and Lifestyle Editor and Wardrobe Stylist. Previously, she was the Fashion Editor at…
Topics
The art of timeless design: Why Urban Jürgensen is one to watch
How Urban Jürgensen redefined haute horlogerie with its remarkable comeback
Urban Jurgensen has returned to the forefront of horology

The revival of historic watchmaker brand Urban Jürgensen has been a marvel to witness as it once teetered on the brink of obscurity. Today, UJ has re-emerged as a benchmark in the industry, working under the direction of a visionary new leader. Founded in 1773, the brand faced the possibility of extinction in the late 20th century before being revitalized by a group of watchmaking purists. Currently, Urban Jürgensen is getting rave reviews for blending centuries of craftsmanship with modern innovation — proving that true luxury is timeless.

Tradition meets state-of-the-art innovation

Read more
Norqain makes Independence Skeleton smaller and smarter
Swiss watchmaker Norqain refines skeleton collection with transparent mainplate design
Norqain new slimmed skeleton promo

Norqain has added two new 40mm models to its Independence Skeleton collection, offering slimmer, more refined options than the earlier 42mm watches. The updated timepieces feature a transparent mainplate design that enhances visual depth while showcasing the brand's commitment to innovative skeleton watchmaking.
The first model features a classic stainless steel case with brushed, polished, and sandblasted surfaces, accented by subtle turquoise details. The second adopts a bolder aesthetic with a black DLC-coated case, khaki rubber strap, and vibrant orange accents, creating a stealthier and sportier appearance.
Both versions are powered by the Norqain Caliber NB08S, a mechanical automatic skeleton movement that has earned COSC chronometer certification. This high-performance movement features 26 rubies and a personalized oscillating weight bearing the brand's logo. It offers a 41-hour power reserve, with the balance frequency operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), ensuring precise timekeeping.
The standout feature of these new models is the transparent mainplate positioned above the anthracite openworked dial. This innovative design element adds visual depth while housing Norqain's logo, marking a significant improvement from the previous 42mm versions where the logo was printed on the sapphire crystal.
The dials incorporate faceted black-plated indexes and diamond-cut hands filled with white X1 Super-LumiNova for optimal visibility in low-light conditions. The second hand's tip comes in turquoise on the steel version and orange on the DLC model, providing distinctive color coordination.
Measuring 40mm in diameter and 12.05mm thick, both models offer 100-meter water resistance and feature double anti-reflective, scratch-proof sapphire crystals on the front and back. The reduced case size makes these watches more wearable while maintaining the collection's bold skeleton aesthetic.
The steel version is priced at $4,490 on a rubber strap, with the matching steel bracelet option increasing the price to $4,790. The DLC-coated model comes with a choice of black or khaki rubber strap, both priced at $4,690.
These new Independence Skeleton models represent Norqain's evolution in skeleton watch design, combining traditional Swiss watchmaking excellence with contemporary aesthetics. The transparent mainplate innovation demonstrates the brand's commitment to advancing skeleton watch construction while preserving the visual drama that defines the collection.

Read more
Rolex Land-Dweller auction reaches $51,250 on eBay
New Rolex sports watch commands premium pricing in secondary market debut
Rolex Dynapulse promo image

The first publicly available Rolex Land-Dweller has sold for $51,250 on eBay Live, more than three times its $15,350 retail price and confirming the watch's status as a serious competitor to integrated luxury sports watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
The unworn 40mm stainless steel model, complete with box and papers, was listed by Tanner and Company with a starting bid of $15,000, just below the suggested retail price. However, intense bidding drove the final sale price to $51,250, just $2,000 shy of the combined retail prices of a Land-Dweller and Royal Oak "Jumbo."
Introduced earlier this year at Watches and Wonders Geneva, the Land-Dweller represents Rolex's most significant watch release in a generation. The timepiece features an integrated bracelet design inspired by 1970s sports watches and incorporates a revolutionary new escapement called Dynapulse, positioning it as a direct competitor to established luxury sports icons.
At retail, the Land-Dweller appears attractively priced compared to its competitors. The popular "Jumbo" Royal Oak in steel retails for $37,900, while the Patek Philippe Nautilus no longer exists as a three-handed men's model in stainless steel. The alternative 45mm Cubitus commands $43,263 at retail.
However, the secondary market tells a different story. The post-pandemic watch market has calmed from its highs but remains intensely competitive for hyped luxury sports watches. Both the Royal Oak and Cubitus command well into six-figure prices on used and gray markets, reflecting sustained demand that far exceeds supply.
The Land-Dweller's astronomical first sale price places it firmly in this rarefied territory, suggesting that Rolex's most hyped new model in years will follow similar secondary market trajectories to its Swiss competitors.
Two scenarios emerge for future Land-Dweller pricing. Either this first sale represents an inflated outlier that will normalize as more examples reach the market, or the extreme sale price will further inflate collector desire, driving values even higher for subsequent sales.
Given Rolex's history with secondary market pricing and the general trajectory of integrated luxury sports watches, the latter scenario appears more likely. The Land-Dweller's combination of revolutionary movement technology, integrated bracelet design, and Rolex's unparalleled brand recognition creates perfect conditions for sustained secondary market premiums.
The $51,250 sale price demonstrates that despite the Land-Dweller's relatively accessible retail pricing, actual market access remains limited to those willing to pay significant premiums. This reality reinforces the watch's position as a true competitor to the Royal Oak and Nautilus, not just in design and technical execution, but in market desirability and pricing power.

Read more