In EY Parthenon’s latest recap of it’s semi-annual CEO Survey, the firm found a slight rise in CEO confidence that could signal cautious optimism for transformation and growth agendas in the year ahead.
Category: Apparel
Scheels to Open Third Store in Wisconsin in 2027
Wauwatosa Scheels will employ 500-plus store associates, the majority of whom will be employee owners hired locally. The store will be the company’s 36th location. A 35th store will open in Fall 2026 in Cedar Park, TX.
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Frasers Abandons Nordic SG Retailer XXL Takeover Effort
Frasers cited the condition requiring acceptance of the Intended Offer by a sufficient number of shareholders to ensure that it would hold more than 50 percent of XXL shares and votes on a fully diluted and converted basis would not be satisfied.
Ross Stores Sets CFO Transition Plan, Promotes Bill Sheehan to Deputy CFO
Company EVP and CFO Adam Orvos will reportedly retire, effective September 30. Sheehan, currently group SVP, finance, has been promoted to deputy CFO and is expected to succeed Orvos as chief financial officer on October 1.
Lids Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Greg Cox was promoted to CFO effective immediately. He has worked for the company for eight years. In his new role, he will lead strategic growth initiatives and operational simplification across the global retailer’s business functions.
Walmart Gets Strong Q4 Lift from U.S. and Global E-Commerce Gains
Globally, e-commerce grew 16 percent with penetration up across all segments. Walmart U.S. comp sales up 4.6 percent with positive growth in general merchandise.
Richardson Hires Industry Vet as SVP Sales
Jason Krakow brings over 30 years of sales leadership experience in the headwear and sports apparel industries, most recently serving as president of the Caps Direct and Dri-Duck businesses.
EXEC: Authentic Appoints New Reebok Licensing Partners for U.S., UK and Europe
In the U.S., Galaxy Universal takes over Reebok’s footwear operation, retail stores and e-commerce, and will lead the brand’s global product creation, design and sourcing. A new JV, GB Brands Europe Ltd., will oversee the brand’s operations across Europe and the UK.
Play it Again Sports Parent Sees Revenues and Profits Dip in 2024
Winmark Corporation reported that revenues for the year ended December 28, 2024, were $81.3 million, down from $83.2 million in 2023, impacting its decision in May 2021 to run off its leasing portfolio.
TSG Consumer Partners Appoints New Head of London Office
TSG’s past and present investments in the active lifestyle space include Backcountry, Corepower Yoga, Nuun, Revolve, Canyon Bicycles, and Planet Fitness. TSG has investment offices in San Francisco, New York and London.
Gildan Activewear Sets Executive Leadership Succession Through 2025
Chuck Ward, currently president of Sales, Marketing and Distribution and former GoldToeMoretz CFO, has been appointed to the newly created role of EVP and COO, effective March 1. EVP and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Rhod Harries plans to retire on January 1, 2026 with Luca Barile, CFO of Sales, Marketing and Distribution, named his successor.
Soccer Post Management Acquires Majority Stake in Retailer
The group acquired a majority stake in Soccer Post from TZP Group with the financial backing of York Capital Management’s private equity group and soccer specific strategic investors.
EXEC: Wolverine Worldwide Shares Fall 17 Percent as 2025 Forecast Disappoints
Fourth quarter revenue fell 5.8 percent year-over-year but rose 3.3 percent to $494.7 million when tallying the company’s ongoing business. The company posted big improvements in gross margin and operating margins in Q4, leading to a positive earnings result.
EXEC: VF Corp. Spin-Off Acquires Helly Hansen
The VF spin-off parent of the Wrangler and Lee brands has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of Helly Hansen from Canadian Tire Corporation for ~ $898 million.
EXEC: Nike Inc. Launching Co-Branded NikeSkims Effort with Kim Kardashian
The co-branded effort to find a pathway to more women consumers runs counter to the company’s efforts to connect with core female athletes that were the clear focus in its Super Bowl LVIII advertising and recent comments from the company’s new CEO, Elliot Hall.
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