Under Armour Inc. said it will commit to ensuring 12 percent of its employees at the director level or higher are Black by 2023 as part of a series of initiatives “to support a more diverse and inclusive future.”
Category: Footwear

Mizuno To Sponsor Honolulu Marathon
Mizuno has been confirmed as a supporting sponsor of the 2020 Honolulu Marathon.

Skechers Q2 Revenues Tumble 42 Percent
Skechers USA reported a steep loss in the second quarter ended June 30 as sales plunged 42.0 percent due to store closures tied to COVID-19. The brand said more than 90 percent of its Skechers stores have re-opened and some markets are in the early stages of recovery, including a return to growth in China.

Under Armour Appoints Senior Director Of Sales In EMEA
Under Armour has appointed Phil Fox as senior director of sales in EMEA, according to Fashion Network.

Adidas Appoints General Manager, France
Adidas has appointed Mathieu Sidokpohou as general manager of France, replacing Guillaume de Monplanet, according to Fashion Network.

Eric McCrite Company Strikes Multi-Year Licensing Deal For Pastry Brand
Eric McCrite Company and Vida Shoes International Inc. announced a new licensing agreement for the Pastry brand of dance footwear, clothing, and accessories.

Sports & Fitness Industry Does Not Expect Full Return In 2020
Seventy-two percent of companies now anticipate that sales will not return to pre-COVID-19 numbers until 2021, and 53 percent report not until Q2 of 2021, according to the SFIA’s 3rd Edition of its monthly COVID-19 Industry Impact Report.

Foot Locker Implements New Organizational Structure
Foot Locker Inc. announced a new organizational structure designed to elevate the customer experience. The moves include the appointment of Frank Bracken as CEO of North America, Andy Gray as chief commercial officer and Scott Martin as CEO of Asia Pacific. Lew Kimble and Jake Jacobs are retiring.

Congress Passes The Great American Outdoors Act
The U.S. House on Wednesday passed the Great American Outdoors Act by a vote of 310 to 107, guaranteeing for the first time money for land acquisition and preservation. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

Nike Tops BrandZ’s Most Valuable Apparel Brands
Nike was again the top-ranked apparel brand in the 2020 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking released by WPP and Kantar, although Lululemon, Adidas and The North Face all saw double-digit appreciation.

Closed Loop Partners Launches Consortium To Address Retail Bags
The Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners has partnered with five retailers, CVS Health, Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Walgreens, to form a consortium aimed at reinventing the single-use plastic retail bag.

Comscore Finds Consumers Shifting Focus To Sports And Outdoor Activities
According to new research from Comscore, consumers are shifting discretionary spending away from typical summer travel and ticketed events and focusing instead on family-oriented outdoor activities.

Nike Announces Leadership Changes To Support Consumer Direct Acceleration
Nike Inc. announced a series of senior leadership changes supporting the company’s Consumer Direct Acceleration (CDA). Among the changes, Amy Montagne becomes VP/GM, Men’s; Whitney Malkiel becomes VP/GM, Women’s; and McCallester Dowers becomes VP/GM, Kids. All three will report to Michael Spillane, who becomes president, Consumer Creation.

Stage Stores Starts Going-Out-of-Business Sales
Joint venture partners Gordon Brothers and Hilco Merchant Resources announced that they have started “Going-Out-of-Business” sales at 720 Stage Store locations, including Gordmans as well as Stage, Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, and Peebles stores.

VF Corp. To Open Multi-Brand Retail Store In Milan
VF Corp. plans to open its first multi-brand store this fall in Milan, Italy. The store, inside a historic building at 11 Orefici Street, will feature The North Face, Timberland and Napapijri with other VF brands periodically showcasing their collections.