Balega Founders Launch New Specialty Running Sock Brand
Tanya and Bert Pictor, the founders of Balega Socks, and Luke Rowe, a running industry veteran, have launched a new running sock brand, Jogology, to be sold exclusively at run specialty stores beginning in September.
Athleisure Brand Halara Names President
Halara, the direct-to-consumer athleisure brand, founded in 2020 and headquartered in New York City, hired Gabby Hirata, most recently president and CEO of Diane von Furstenberg, as global brand president.
Ebay Closes on Acquisition of AI-Powered Digital ID, Authentication Provider
Ebay, Inc. reported it completed the acquisition of Certilogo, a provider of AI-powered apparel and fashion goods digital IDs and authentication. Based in Milan, Certilogo leverages digital technology to empower brands and designers to manage the lifecycle of their garments.
HanesBrands Names CFO
HanesBrands reported that its interim chief financial officer, Scott Lewis, was appointed chief financial officer effective immediately. Lewis will also continue as chief accounting officer, a position he has held since 2015.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Appoints New CFO in Role Transition
Academy Sports + Outdoors Inc. promoted Carl Ford to executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 12. He succeeds Michael Mullican who recently transitioned to president.
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.
