New Balance To Build Plant In Londonderry
New Balance plans to build a manufacturing plant near the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Londonderry, NH; this is the company’s sixth factory in the U.S. The others are in Maine and Massachusetts.
NRF Foundation Adds Four Members To Board Of Directors
The NRF Foundation reported adding four new members to its Board of Directors, elected during the organization’s summer board meeting in New York City.
Walmart Opens Its Largest Fulfillment Center Outside Indianapolis
Walmart celebrated the grand opening of a new 2.2 million-square-foot fulfillment center twenty miles northeast of Indianapolis in McCordsville, IN. The next-gen facility is Walmart’s largest fulfillment center to date and enable the retailer to fill orders more quickly.
Outdoor Product Sales A Reflection Of Shifting Post-Pandemic Lifestyle Trends
Sales across the $28 billion U.S. outdoor industry declined by 1 percent in the 12 months ending April 2023, versus the comparable prior-year period, impacted by consumers spending less on big-ticket equipment items and instead buying backpacks, blankets, camping accessories, and other versatile products.
Retail Market Breathes A Sigh Of Relief As West Coast Ports Deal Reached
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports.
Retail Sales See Slight Uptick In May; Sporting Goods Stores Up 2.5 Percent
Retail sales increased 0.3 percent from April to May and gained 1.6 percent year-over-year. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast sales would decline 0.1 percent month-over-month.
Sport 2000 Reaches €6.5 Bn In 2022 Sales; SGN Sports Leaving Group
Sport 2000 International, the world’s second-largest trade organization for independent sports retailers with 3,586 stores in 25 countries, recently reported it is reflecting on a successful year, closing the 2022 financial year with gross retail sales of €6.5 billion.
Google Introduces Virtual Try-On Using Generative AI
Google introduced a generative AI-powered virtual try-on option for shoppers searching for apparel online using digital models to represent an individual’s body type.
REI Workers Union Adding Pressure With Unfair Labor Practice Allegations
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) announced it would be filing Unfair Labor Practice charges (ULPs) against REI, Inc. in the Cleveland (Beachwood, OH) and SoHo (Manhattan, NY) unionized stores.
Grassroots Moving Spring Connect Show To Reno In 2024
Grassroots Connect, the twice-annual retail buying show of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, will move its June show to Reno, NV, beginning in 2024.
REI To Open Re/Supply Store In Clackamas, OR This Summer
REI Co-op will open a Re/Supply store selling used gear and apparel in Clackamas, OR in late August 2023. Located in the Clackamas Town Center, the 16,113-square-foot store will open a few doors down from the co-op’s existing store which opened in 2007.
Authentic and Aldo Group Expand Brooks Brothers Brand Footwear Range
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) and the Aldo Group have partnered to launch an expanded assortment of men’s footwear and small leather goods for Brooks Brothers one of America’s most beloved and longest-established brands.
Report: May Retail Sales Grow 2 Percent On ASP Growth; Apparel Declines
U.S. retail sales revenue in May 2023, including discretionary general merchandise and consumer packaged goods (CPG), increased 2 percent compared to the same month last year, even as unit sales declined 3 percent, according to data from Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group.
Stitch Fix Hires Former Macy’s Exec As CEO
Stitch Fix, Inc. announced that Matt Baer, former chief customer and digital officer at Macy’s, Inc., was hired as CEO and appointed as a member of the Board of Directors, effective June 26, 2023. Founder, Interim CEO and Executive Chairperson of the Board, Katrina Lake, will work closely with Baer as he transitions into the role.
Lids Names Head Of Brand And Collaborations
Lids hired Ariel Sandler as head of brand and collaborations. Sandler previously helped lead brand and marketing for the NBA, New Era and StockX.
