EXEC: Nike Makes Change at Innovation Chief, Suffers Another Stock Downgrade
Switchback Spring 2026 to ‘Equip the Outdoor Industry for the Future’ with Education for Specialty Retailers
EXEC: Ed Stack and Lauren Hobart Talk Foot Locker Remodels, Dick’s House of Sport’s Fine-Tuned Expansion
The Tech Stack Problem Costing Team Dealers Time and Money — and How the Industry Is Solving It
EXEC: Levi Strauss CEO Talks Beyond Yoga’s Complement to Denim Lifestyle Portfolio
SGB Update
Univ of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index Drops to All-Time Low on War Worries
Consumer sentiment has dropped to an all-time low this month (April) as fears mount over rising energy prices and the broader impact of the war in Iran, according to the latest University of Michigan survey.
Wacoal America Appoints New CEO
Wacoal America announced that CEO Mitchell Kauffman will retire, effective immediately, following six years of leadership. James Wheatley, who has served as president of Wacoal America for the past year, has been named president and CEO.
Reebok Returns to Hockey Hardgoods via Wholesale Sports Inc. Partnership
Reebok is returning to the hockey equipment category through a new partnership with Wholesale Sports, Inc. (WSI). A line of Reebok Hockey hard goods is set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.
REI, Walmart Back Unspun’s Domestic Hubs for Automated Apparel Manufacturing
Unspun, a San Francisco, CA-based start-up led by former North Face and Boardriders executive Arne Arens, announced that Walmart, REI and other major supply chain partners signed letters of support to build domestic manufacturing capacity in the U.S. using Unspun’s AI-enabled 3D weaving technology. The technology is designed to bring apparel manufacturing closer to consumers at a commercial scale.
Oberalp NA Bolsters Marketing Team with Two Strategic Hires
Oberalp. North America has hired Laurel Walker as marketing manager and has promoted Alex Pasmann to marketing specialist after three years working on the company’s service team. Walker’s career began in specialty run retail before advancing to work with leading brands, including Altra Running and Vibram.
SGB Executive
EXEC: Puma SE Appoints New SVP for Creative Direction
James Carnes is expected to directly oversee creative direction, innovation and product excellence, reporting directly to Chief Brand Officer Maria Valdes.
EXEC: Resale Activity Continues to Boom
Recent surveys found a shift toward secondhand sales accelerating as consumers, particularly younger ones, seek value amid current inflationary pressures. For sellers of new products, a recent university study found that secondhand purchases supplement primary-market consumption rather than replace it.
EXEC: Nike Makes Change at Innovation Chief, Suffers Another Stock Downgrade
Nike Inc. faced a downgrade by Piper Sandler on Friday amid unrelated reports that the brand’s chief innovation officer, Tony Bignell, is departing the company after less than a year in the role.
EXEC: Pou Sheng’s China Retail Business Swings Back to a Negative Trend in March 2026
Net consolidated operating revenue for March 2026 declined 6.3 percent year-over-year to RMB 1.35 billion, compared to RMB 1.44 billion in March 2025. Pou Sheng trades and reports in the Chinese Yuan (RMB) currency.
EXEC: Academy Sports Scores Stock Price Target Upgrades Following Analyst Day
A number of analysts raised their price targets on Academy Sports + Outdoors Inc. following the company’s release of a five-year growth plan at an Analyst Day event, with many more convinced the chain will inflect back to growth this year.
