Study: June Mall Index Finds Mall Visits on the Rise Again in the U.S.
After four straight months of year-over-year visit declines, indoor malls, open-air lifestyle centers and outlet malls saw YoY visits rebound significantly in June 2023.
Dick’s SG Tops Active Lifestyle Chains on 2023 NRF Top 100 Retailers List
Dick’s Sporting Goods, once again, is the largest U.S. retailer with prominent active lifestyle offerings on the National Retail Federation’s annual list of the Top 100 Retailers. Among active lifestyle chains, Dick’s was followed in the top five by Bass Pro, Camping World, Academy Sports, and Foot Locker.
McClumsy Apparel Moves to New West Virginia Location
McClumsy, a lifestyle apparel brand based in Thomas, WV, relocated to the historic Colabrese General Store building in Thomas, WV, on its first anniversary. The company officially began business in the building full-time on July 1.
Nike Extends Contract with Inter Milan
Inter Milan announced it extended its contract with kit supplier Nike. The collaboration started in 1998. Nike will continue designing match and training kits for Inter Milan’s men’s, women’s and youth teams, including lifestyle collections.
Arc’Teryx Opens First Store in Sydney
Arc’teryx opened its first store in Sydney, Australia, at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center.
June UK Indoor Retail Foot Traffic Down as Weather Pushes Shoppers Outside
The British Retail Consortium reported that June retail foot traffic (footfall) was down versus the comp period last year as the hot weather meant that people opted to enjoy the outdoors rather than spend time shopping inside.
NRF Sees Imports Building Toward August Peak Amid Labor Disruptions
The NRF said that despite a tentative contract agreement reached at West Coast ports, retailers are closely following labor disputes at the ports in Western Canada and a potential teamsters strike against United Parcel Service (UPS).
Rally House Opens Second Store in Arkansas
Rally House opened a store in Conway, AR, its second retail location in Arkansas, near the University of Central Arkansas campus.
DeFeet Moves Custom Sales to Inside Team
DeFeet reported that its custom sock sales process had returned to its inside sales team based in Hildebran, NC and that long-time sales reps Brad Mettee and Kerri Willerton were no longer with the company.
U.S. Jobs Growth Continues to Slow
The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers added 209,000 jobs in June for the 30th consecutive month of job gains, but there was also a continued cooling in the labor market. The retail sector was the hardest hit, recording losses of about 11,000 jobs seasonally adjusted.
Tasc Performance Co-Founder Al Andrews Passes Away
Al Andrews, co-founder and chairman of Tasc Performance, passed away at the age of 78.
Lubbock Christian Partners with New Balance and BSN Sports
Lubbock Christian University, located in Lubbock, TX, entered into a partnership and product supply agreement with New Balance through BSN Sports to be the official apparel and uniform provider for its athletics department.
Tennis Racquet Sales at Specialty Stores Slow to Start 2023
Unit sales of tennis racquets in specialty tennis stores dropped by 7 percent in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago, reported Sports Marketing Surveys USA (SMS). Despite this, the market remains strong compared to the pre-pandemic period.
USC Aiken Partners with Under Armour and BSN
The University of South Carolina Aiken reportedly partnered with Under Armour and BSN Sports to outfit its student-athletes beginning with the 2023/24 season.
Giant Loop Adventure Shop Opens in Bend
Hydration pack and apparel maker USWE Sports, based in Malmö, Sweden, is opening its first retail store in the U.S.—USWE Sports Giant Loop Adventure Shop. Giant Loop was acquired last year by USWE Sports, and the company’s warehouse is the U.S. headquarters for both brands.
