CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Sees March Y/Y Retail Sales Growth Accelerate
Growth in the Clothing, Footwear and Accessories Stores sector softened from the January and February trends, while the industry that includes Sporting Goods stores accelerated versus January and February periods, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor for March.
What Went into Nike’s Signature Logo for A’ja Wilson?
Nike footwear and apparel designer Josanna Torrocha has “created a gleaming emblem” for A’ja Wilson, the U.S. professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces and Nike-sponsored athlete, that is “distinct and captivating” and that “pulses with her energy.”
New Era Cap and Adidas Partner for On-Field Caps for Three NCAA Baseball Teams
The new partnership to provide official on-field caps for three of the top college baseball teams in the U.S., the Texas A&M Aggies, Arizona State Sun Devils and the University of Miami Hurricanes.
Rip Curl Opens Third Retail Store in Spain’s Basque Country Region
The new Bilboa store is the brand’s third in Spain, joining stores in Tarifa and Barcelona. Rip Curl also has an outlet store open to consumers in Viladecans. The store will be primarily focused on apparel.
EXEC: Intersport International Will See Prodigal Son Tom Foley Return as CEO in July 2025
Tom Foley most recently served as CEO at Go Sport where led a chain of stores and a network of international franchises. Foley’s background also includes a stint as general manager for Intersport UK and Ireland, a role he served in for six years until 2017.
EXEC: Where Does Jack Wolfskin Fit in the Anta Sports Outdoor Brand Portfolio?
Anta has hinted about its plans for the Jack Wolfskin brand but won’t develop its positioning in a vacuum. The company has a very good partner, Matthew Jung, Jack Wolfskin’s global president and CEO, who started with the company in early 2022 as GM for China.
EXEC: Fila and Anta Brands Carry a HSD China Retail Growth Trend into First Quarter
Retail sales for the Fila brand in the 2025 first quarter in the China market again increased in the high-single digits year-over-year, consistent with the growth trend in the 2024 fourth quarter.
Rag & Bone Launches Australian Owned E-Commerce Platform
Rag & Bone has launched an Australian owned e-commerce platform, rag-bone.com.au, with Signal Brands Australia.
EXEC: Yue Yuen’s Pou Sheng China Retail Unit Declines Again in March
Yue Yuen’s Pou Sheng China retail business and the YY Sports retail brand posted another down month in March 2025 but the decline did moderate month-over-month from a deep decline in February.
G-III Apparel and Aldo Ink Footwear License Deal for G.H.Bass Brand
Under the agreement, Aldo Product Services will design, manufacture, distribute, market and sell G.H.Bass footwear, bags and small leather goods.
EXEC: Asia FW Factory Growth Moderates in March; Feng Tay Dips
Yue Yuen’s manufacturing business, which boasts Adidas, Merrell, Asics, and many footwear brands as key customers, posted a 3.5 percent increase in March. Feng Tay, a major Nike supplier, returned to negative territory, dipping 1.7 percent year-over-year.
The Buckle Posts Larger Comp Sales Increase for March
Comparable store net sales for the 5-week period ended April 5 increased 3.7 percent year-over-year. The two-month YTD period comped up 1.6 percent year-over-year.
Piper Sandler Survey Reveals Nike, Lululemon and Stanley Losing Teen Mindshare
The latest Piper Sandler Taking Stock With Teens survey for spring 2025 found Ugg has moved up the most (two spots with 4-points in share gains year-over-year), followed by On Running (two spots with 1-point in share gains year-over-year).
EXEC: Callaway to Sell Jack Wolfskin to Amer Sports’ Chinese Parent
Anta Sports Products, Ltd. is the largest shareholder of Arc’teryx, Wilson and Salomon parent Amer Sports and owns retail stores in China for the Anta brand, Fila, Descente, Kolon Sport, and Amer Sports.
NRF Expected Cargo Traffic to Drop Dramatically Before Latest Tariff Moves
The latest Global Port Tracker report released on April 9 by the NRF and Hackett Associates suggests cargo traffic will drop dramatically beginning next month; however, that outlook might change given the changes in the tariff picture.
