Growth in the Clothing, Footwear and Accessories store sector decelerated from the April trend. The category that includes Sporting Goods stores was up 8.2 percent y/y unadjusted in May after a robust 9.2 percent y/y gain in March.
Category: Footwear

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Names Top Retailer Members and Vendor Partners for 2025
The retailer-owned network of 105 independent outdoor retailers and 67 vendor partners, working together to grow the specialty outdoor retail network, named Trail Creek Outfitters Retailer of the Year and Patagonia Vendor of the Year for 2025.

Dick’s SG Joins Top 50 Most Patriotic Brands for First Time; New Balance Falls in Rankings
Nike, Wilson Sporting Goods, LL Bean, Gatorade, New Balance, Converse, and Dick’s Sporting Goods all earned spots on Brand Keys 24th Annual Most Patriotic Brands survey of the Top 50 U.S.-based brands that embody the value “patriotism.” The NFL, NBA and MLB also made the list. Dick’s made the list for the first time.

Indoor Malls Lead Overall Mall Foot Traffic Growth in May; Consumer Median Income Dips
The rise in mall visits for a second month in a row suggests that April’s positive year-over-year visit trends were more than a temporary pull-forward of consumer demand in response to tariff uncertainty.

EXEC: Academy’s Chief Merchant Talks Jordan Launch, Nike Brand Success, Tariff Disruption
Following the retailer’s first-quarter results report, Academy’s EVP and Chief Merchant Matt McCabe added more highlights from the business, including the promise to introduce the Jordan brand, a strong response to expanding Nike product and market share gains among higher-income households.

K-Swiss Appoints Anwar Carrots as Creative Director of New Premium Line
K-Swiss appointed Anwar Carrots, the creative director and founder of the Los Angeles-based streetwear brand Carrots by Anwar Carrots, as creative director of K-Swiss Racquet Club (KSRC), its new premium line.

EXEC: Trump Announces U.S. and China Have Reached Trade Deal With 55 percent Tariff
President Donald Trump declared the trade war with China “done” Wednesday, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariffs on Chinese goods will be locked in at the current 55 percent rate without additional increases.
Target Increases Quarterly Dividend
Target Corp. declared a quarterly dividend of $1.14 per common share, a 1.8 percent increase from the prior quarterly dividend of $1.12.

Tommy Bahama Parent Revises Fiscal 2025 Guidance as EPS Shrinks Year-Over-Year
Oxford Industries, Inc., parent of the Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Johnny Was brands, reported consolidated net sales for the fiscal 2025 first quarter ended May 3 were $392.9 million, a 1.3 percent decline compared to $398.2 million in the fiscal 2024 first quarter.

EXEC: Trump Tariffs Having Little Impact on Retail Footwear Prices
The May Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in cooler than expected, defying fears that the impact of President Trump’s tariffs would start to show a rise in prices. A separate analysis by the FDRA indicates that footwear prices in May likewise declined year-over-year.

Nike Appoints Director, Waste & Circularity
Alice Hartley was previously director of circularity at Under Armour after spending 11 years at Gap, Inc. as director of Product Sustainability and Circularity.
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Carbitex Enters Tactical Boot Market
The collaboration introduces Carbitex’s MonoFlex M1 technology into Prabos’s professional footwear tactical boot line. both companies aim to meet the demanding requirements of military and law enforcement personnel.

Stitch Fix Returns to Growth In Fiscal Q3
The company narrowed its loss in the fiscal third quarter ended May 3 while showing its first quarterly sales gain since the second quarter of 2022. The styling service lifted its guidance for the year.

Pickleball Kingdom to Open Club In Austell, GA
The Austell club, spanning approximately 25,000 square feet, will feature 10 professional-grade indoor courts, with a target opening of winter 2025. Nithi and Usha Anand, franchisees of Pickleball Kingdom, will manage the club.

NFIB: Small Business Optimism Rises For First Time This Year
A gauge of sentiment among small businesses, rose to 98.8 in May from 95.8 in April, bringing the Index back above its long-term average, represented by a reading of 98. The increase ends a four-month streak of weakening sentiment.