
NRF: Economy Delivers “Vigorous Growth” Despite Slowdown
According to the National Retail Federation’s Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, after a challenging year, the economy remains healthy despite slowing.

EXEC: Lululemon’s Tepid Holiday Guidance Overshadows Strong Q3
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. lifted its overall full-year outlook after earnings and sales in the third quarter ended October 29 topped guidance for the third straight quarter but also forecast fourth-quarter guidance that came in lighter than expected in an apparent sign to investors of a potential sales slowdown.

Delta Apparel Posts Wider Fiscal Q4 Loss as Sales Fall 21 Percent
Salt Life Group segment net sales were $12.5 million in Q4, compared to prior-year fourth quarter net sales of $14 million. Net sales in the Delta Group segment were $78.9 million in Q4, compared to $101.5 million in the prior-year fourth quarter.

Lululemon’s Q3 Earnings Dip On Charge Tied to Mirror Shutdown
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. reported earnings declined slightly due to a charge related to its move to discontinue its Mirror platform as part of a new partnership with Peloton. Excluding the charge, earnings and sales topped guidance for the third straight quarter and Lululemon again lifted its outlook for the year.
EXEC: Sports Direct Gets Fiscal H1 Boost from New Brands
Frasers Group reported retail revenue increased 4.0 percent in the first half ended October 29 to £2.69 billion ($3.4 bn), helped by a “strong underlying performance” from Sports Direct due in part to the addition of new brands, including On Running, The North Face, Columbia Sportswear and Salomon.

Tanger Acquires First Open-Air Lifestyle Center
Tanger acquired Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville, AL for $193.5 million using cash on hand and available liquidity. Management expects the center to deliver a first-year return in the mid-eight percent range, with potential for additional growth over time.

ICSC Board of Trustees Elects New 2024 Chair and Vice Chair
The ICSC Board of Trustees elected Jim Taylor, president & CEO, Brixmor Property Group, to serve as ICSC’s chairman and Angele Robinson-Gaylord, SVP, store development americas, Starbucks, to serve as vice chairman for the 2024 term.

Lands’ End Posts Wider Q3 Loss on Double-Digit Sales Decline
Third quarter net revenue decreased 12.5 percent to $324.7 million and the net loss was $112.4 million, or $3.52 loss per diluted share, compared to net loss of $4.7 million, or 14 cents loss per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2022.

Tommy Bahama Parent Gets Q3 Sales Boost from Johnny Was
Oxford Industries, Inc., the parent of the Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Johnny Was brands, reported that consolidated net sales in the fiscal third quarter increased 4 percent to $327 million. Still, the company moderated its full year sales and EPS guidance.

Clarus Sees Potential Recovery of $46 million from Shareholder Derivative Lawsuit
Clarus Corp. reported it sees the potential recovery of $46.2 million related to a lawsuit it filed against HAP Trading, LLC and Harsh A. Padia regarding the recovery of short-swing profits in violation of securities laws.

The Microfibre Consortium Shuffles the Leadership Deck
Research Director Dr. Kelly Sheridan, who is also an Assistant Professor in Forensic Science (Textile Fibers) at Northumbria University, will reportedly step into the CEO chair, while Founding Director Sophie Mather will transition from the Board of Director to an advisory role, supporting “the continuity of the topic and the organization.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Partners With Backcountry
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association reported it entered into a partnership with Backcountry to design apparel and host an online shop for the national governing body of Olympic ski and snowboarding.

FWV Sells CGPR to Integrated Travel and Recreation Marketing Firm
Off Madison Ave acquired PR Agency CGPR from French/West/Vaughan (FWV), the Raleigh, NC-based marketing agency that acquired the company in February 2020. CGPR is the fifth merger and acquisition by Off Madison Ave since 2005.

Houdini Amplifies Sustainability Commitment; Partners with Polartec
Houdini Sportswear amplified its sustainability commitment at ISPO, previewing its 2023 Planetary Boundaries Assessment, due in Q1 2024 and debuted a collaboration with long-term partner Polartec.

Nobis Outerwear Enters Chinese Market with Three Stores
Luxury outerwear brand Nobis opened three stores in Beijing and Shanghai, marking the brand’s entry into the Chinese retail space.