Peter Sachs is stepping down as the brand’s USA general manager, with Lance Taylor, an outdoor industry veteran, assuming the role. Taylor worked at Salomon for 17 years, most recently as head of its Outdoor National Business Unit.
Category: Footwear
Report: Performance FW Outperforms Total FW Market in Q1; Running Grows 7 Percent
The retail tracking and market advisory firm reported that Sport Lifestyle, or athleisure sneakers, once again was the largest footwear segment, growing almost 1 percent for the quarter. Performance Footwear grew 4 percent during the period, led by Running.
EXEC: Brooks Running Boasts Strong Q1 Gains in Int’l Markets and U.S. Run Specialty
The company did not provide growth trends or volume for U.S. national retailers although it did provide select market research data for the channel. That channel is heavily dominated by On and Hoka in the current environment. A push in lifestyle may give Brooks, like Asics last year, a solid re-positioning in the channel.
Puma Plans to Move London HQ to Manchester
The 20,000-square-foot space will house Puma sales, marketing, merchandising, finance, operations and direct-to-consumer departments.
Kohl’s BOD Terminates New CEO for Cause; Forecasts Q1 Comps Down in Mid Singles
Multiple sources are publishing that Buchanan was terminated after an investigation found that he violated the retailer’s code of conduct by entering into a “highly unusual” business deal.
Justin Boots Adds Ostrich Leather Men’s Boots to Untamed Collection
The company’s new Exotic Lineup, in smooth ostrich leather, includes the Roswell 11″ boot, in Brandy Brown and Cognac Brown, and Conroe 11″ boot in Kango Tobac Brown.
EXEC: Columbia Brand Set to Take Market Share Back in 2025; Q1 Exceeds Outlook
First-quarter net sales and earnings exceeded guidance, driven by late-season demand for winter products and strong early-spring shipments. International markets, which contributed 40 percent of annual sales, performed well, with double-digit growth in the LAAP region and high-single-digit growth in EMEA.
Nordstrom NYC to Host New Balance Pop-Up at The Corner
The corner pop-up will include monthly product drops across shoes, apparel and accessories for men, women and kids. Customers can also access limited-edition collaborations and customization opportunities available only in-store.
Stio Promotes Four Employees, Hires an Associate Creative Director
The company has promoted Sarah Raff to VP of operations, Liz Barrett to senior director of brand marketing, Stirling Cobb to product marketing director, and Chris Ragusa to director of customer experience. John Brown joins Stio as an associate creative director.
Foot Solutions x Pickleball Pro Ben Johns Create Custom Orthodic for Pickleball Play
The product is a result of several months of testing and revisions with Johns working alongside Foot Solutions experts. The result is a 3D printed custom orthotic for customers at the store level.
Report: Sports & Fitness Manufacturers’ Sales Growth Moderated in 2024
SFIA’s latest report found that some key categories, including martial arts gear, tennis balls, pickleball racquets and outdoor/adventure footwear, delivered double-digit growth in 2024 while sales across various categories remained far above pre-pandemic levels.
EXEC: Authentic Inks New ANZ Licensing Partner for Former Boardriders Brands
Authentic said the move secures the future of over 200 branded retail stores, wholesale and e-commerce platforms, and ongoing success for Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Element, VonZipper, Spyder, and Volcom.
EXEC: Gymshark to Restructure, Causing Hundreds of Position Cuts and Adds
After reporting that earnings in its latest year had declined due to omnichannel investments and is facing “intense macro-economic volatility” in the marketplace, Gymshark reported it is restructuring the company.
Report: More U.S. Consumers Will Abandon Shoe Purchases Based on Price
The new Spring 2025 U.S. Footwear Consumer Survey from AlixPartners and the FDRA found that consumers are more likely to abandon a purchase due to cost, with 78 percent of respondents in its latest survey stating they halted a purchase due to price, up 12 percentage points from 2024.
Liberated Brands Europe Acquired by OneTurn S.A.S.
OneTurn S.A.S., a company newly formed by members of Liberated’s leadership team — CEO Joost Grootswagers and COO Antoine Lanusse — will continue to “preserve and grow the business independently.”
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