SaleSurf Growth will operate as a standalone agency within the TBA Worldwide network, with its existing team and leadership remaining.
Category: Footwear

NSGA’s and Sporting Goods Industry Veteran Tom Doyle Passes Away
Tom Doyle died on April 22 at the age of 86. He worked at the NSGA for 39 years and was the association’s vice president of Information and Research when he retired in the fall of 2010. He was also president of the National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) from the time it was founded in 1987 until 2010.

Baffin Expands International Reach with DTC Shipping
With a longstanding presence in Canada and the United States through Baffin.com and retail partners, the company is expanding with direct-to-consumer shipping to France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

Nike, Inc. Sued Over NFT Investor Losses Incurred After Closure of RTFKT Unit
The company is now being sued by purchasers of NFTs (non-funglible tokens) that originated with Nike’s December 2021 acquisition of the RTFKT, a virtual sneaker design company and studio for NFTs.

WFSGI Adds New Faces to Board to Replace Outgoing Members
The new WFSGI Board has added Anne Larilahti, VP of Sustainability, Amer Sports; Mitchell Tsai, CEO, Apache Footwear; Todd Smith, President and CEO, SFIA; and Stefan Rummel, CEO, Messe Muenchen, the producer of the ISPO and Outdoor Munich Expos.

Hudson’s Bay to Close Balance of Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue Locations
The Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue stores in Canada are expected to operate until no later than June 15, 2025; however, some may close earlier. The company will close 9 Saks Off 5th stores on Sunday, April 27.

Skechers Posts Solid Q1; Withdraws Prior 2025 Guide, Pauses Outlook
Due to macroeconomic uncertainty stemming from global trade policies, SKX is not providing financial guidance and is withdrawing its annual 2025 guidance provided in the company’s earnings release reported on February 6, 2025.

Good Design, Reborn: Puma Suede
uma re-imagines the shoe once again, featuring premium materials crafted by British tannery Charles F. Stead, a distinguished tannery with a rich heritage dating back to 1904 in Leeds, England.

Grassroots Expects 5.9 Percent Growth in Spring Connect Buyer Attendance
Grassroots indicated that the 148 retail businesses and 147 exhibitors are essentially flat versus last year’s Spring Connect Show, but individual buyers increased 5.9 percent year-over-year to 391 buyers.

EXEC: Adidas Brand Posts 17 Percent Sales Gain in Q1 Excluding FX Shifts
Excluding Yeezy sales in the prior year, currency-neutral revenues for the Adidas brand increased 17 percent y/y for the quarter, driven by double-digit y/y growth across all markets and channels.

Josh Allen Invests in The Cashmere Fund
The Buffalo Bills QB and 2025 NFL MVP is the newest investor in The Cashmere Fund, and partnering with the Fund’s subadviser, Cashmere LLC, a next-generation venture fund making startup investing more accessible.

Nike Promotes Jennifer Hartley to Chief Strategy Officer, ELT
Jennifer Hartley, a 14-year company veteran also joins Nike’s Executive Leadership Team. CFO Matt Friend said that Hartley will work to “develop, drive and deliver Nike’s strategic agenda.”

EXEC: Wall Street Reacts to Tariff News but Port Traffic Decline May Reflect a Sad Reality
The Dow and the S&P 500 both bounced on April 22 after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump’s primary negotiator on tariff deals, said that he believes the Administration’s ongoing tariff war with China will de-escalate soon because the rift is not sustainable.

Report: Consumers Willing to Spend More for Brands if Prices Increase
A recent report from UserTesting, a provider of human insights for the enterprise, reveals that brand loyalty isn’t just holding steady in 2025, it’s becoming a safe haven for consumers navigating higher prices and watching their wallets.

Capezio Acquired by Argand Partners
Founded in the U.S. in 1887, Capezio is an iconic global brand in the dancewear sector. The company designs and manufactures technical footwear, apparel and accessories that support dancers and athletes to practice, compete and perform. It is headquartered in Totowa, NJ.