DSW Reinvents Business Model With Camuto Group Acquisition

On a conference call with analysts, DSW Inc. officials said the Camuto Group deal extends the company’s growth opportunities outside the moderate channel and footwear category, but will particularly support its effort to sell exclusive brands inside DSW locations, at third-party stores and direct to consumers. Said DSW’s CEO Roger Rawlins, “As the retail landscape evolves strong brands with the ability to build the direct-to-consumer model have captured increasing market share.”

The Kevin Love Fund Donates Headspace Meditation + Mindfulness Training To UCLA

The Kevin Love Fund announced that UCLA will be the fund’s first beneficiary through Headspace subscription donations and in-person mental training sessions for all student-athletes and coaches. In total, 850 Headspace annual subscriptions, 700 subscriptions for all student-athletes and 150 subscriptions for coaches, will be shared with Bruin teams.

DSW And Authentic Brands Group To Acquire Camuto Group

DSW Inc. announced the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the operations of Camuto Group, best known for the Vince Camuto brand and the footwear licenses of Jessica Simpson and Lucky Brand. Additionally, DSW and Authentic Brands Group LLC (ABG) have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire several intellectual property rights from the Camuto Group under a new partnership. Total consideration paid to the Camuto Group will be approximately $375 million.

Cabela’s Credit Card Staffers Face Lay Offs

Capital One Financial, which bought the credit card operation of the former Cabela’s, said 153 employees in Lincoln, NE, will be laid off. In June, about 450 people had been working in Lincoln, NE, servicing the customers of the Cabela’s CLUB card, according to the Omaha-World Herald.

New Balance Signs Sprinter Gabby Thomas

New Balance has signed Harvard sprinter Gabby Thomas to a multi-year endorsement contract. Thomas won the 200m 2018 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships and took 2nd in the DI NCAA Outdoor National Track and Field Championships.

Express Expands NBA Partnership

Express Inc. expanded the company’s partnership with the NBA. The chain also unveiled the company’s second “NBA Game Changers” campaign and Performance Collection featuring NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers), Mo Bamba (Orlando Magic) and Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks).

Report: Sears Hires Bankruptcy Professionals

Sears Holdings Corporation, the parent of Sears and Kmart, is considering filing for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week as it faces a large debt repayment on Monday, reports The Wall Street Journal. Advisory firm M-III Partners LLC has been hired to prepare the bankruptcy filing, according to the report.