November Sales Show Small Gain, Tops Expectations

The Commerce Department reported that retail sales rose 0.3 percent in November over the prior month, stronger than the 0.2 percent decline in October and better than the Dow Jones estimate for a decrease of 0.1 percent.

EXEC: Foot Locker Earns Upgrade On Turnaround Prospects

Shares of Foot Locker rose 10.1 percent Thursday after Piper Sandler & Co. upgraded Foot Locker from “Neutral” to “Overweight.” Piper analyst Abbie Zvejnieks believes the sneaker retailer’s turnaround potential compares favorably to other turnaround stories in the active lifestyle space, including Allbirds, Under Armour, VF Corp., and Wolverine Worldwide.

Outerstuff’s Debt Ratings Lowered on Default Risk

S&P Global Ratings reduced the debt ratings on youth licensed sports apparel maker Outerstuff LLC as a missed payment on its term loan is expected to constitute a default. The rating agency noted that Outerstuff received an extension of the maturity of its term loan that is expected to provide “some liquidity relief.” 

Nike Extends Agreement with University of Cincinnati

Nike, Inc. reported it extended its sponsorship agreement with Cincinnati University through 2029. The new program begins in 2025, with Nike providing the team uniforms, shoes and other accessories to the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Study: Retailers See Online Sales Boosted by Store Openings

ICSC quantified the impact of opening or closing physical stores on online sales and retailers’ overall performance. Its latest study, the third installment in ICSC’s research on the halo effect of brick-and-mortar retail on online sales, is said to again prove the power of physical retail by demonstrating that a new store boosts online sales, while a closed store impedes them.

PVH Appoints New Leadership

PVH Corp. hired Sophia Hwang-Judiesch as president of Tommy Hilfiger North America and promoted Amba Subrahmanyam to chief people officer.