S&P Global Rating placed the debt ratings of Kohl’s under review with negative implications after the retailer announced that it entered into exclusive negotiations for a sale to Franchise Group, Inc.
Category: Footwear

Target Warns Of Profit Decline Over Inventory Imbalances
Target lowered its forecast for the second quarter as it plans to markdown merchandise, remove excess inventory and cancel orders in an effort to right-size its inventory levels.
Marc Fisher Footwear Company Licenses Earth Shoes
The Marc Fisher Footwear Company entered into a multi-year agreement to license the Earth shoe brand for men’s and women’s footwear.

Academy Sports Q1 Tops Expectations
Academy Sports reported first-quarter results that topped Wall Street targets but the retailer still slightly lowered its outlook due to macroeconomic challenges. Ken Hicks, CEO said, “We are satisfied with our first-quarter results as the company continued to position itself for long-term growth and expansion as we executed effectively in a highly dynamic environment and against a very strong prior-year quarter.”

Rocky Brands To Close Boston Office Following Cost Review
Rocky Brands, Inc. plans to close its Boston office attained via its acquisition of the lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International, Inc. and reduce its non-manufacturing headcount related to the acquired brands by approximately 13 percent, resulting in approximately $3.0 million to $4.0 million in annualized savings.

Kohl’s, Franchise Group Enter Exclusive Negotiations Over Sale
Kohl’s Corp. reported that it’s in exclusive talks with the Franchise Group over a possible $8 billion takeover.

StockX Calls Nike Suit “Anticompetitive” Attempt To Stifle Resale Market
Sneaker marketplace StockX fired back Monday against Nike Inc’s claims that it sold counterfeit Nike shoes, telling a Manhattan federal court that the sneaker giant had previously praised StockX’s efforts to weed out fakes.

Compass Diversified To Acquire PrimaLoft
Compass Diversified (CODI) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the equity of PrimaLoft Technologies Holdings, Inc., the parent company of PrimaLoft Inc., for an enterprise value of $530 million.
REI To Open Third Location In South Carolina
REI Co-op will open a new store in Mount Pleasant, SC in fall 2022.

Moody’s Lowers Wolverine’s Debt Outlook
Following a similar move by S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service changed Wolverine World Wide, Inc.’s outlook to negative from stable.
Two Bidders Seek Discount Price To Acquire Kohl’s
Private equity chain Sycamore Partners and retail conglomerate Franchise Group have submitted bids to acquire Kohl’s, sources told the Wall Street Journal. Both offers were well below amounts the company turned down earlier this year.
Amazon Consumer CEO Resigns
Amazon’s consumer CEO, Dave Clark, will leave the company next month, the e-commerce giant announced in a blog post Friday and reflected in a regulatory filing.
Outdoor Gear Builders Appoints Executive Director
Outdoor Gear Builders announced the appointment of Matt Godfrey as the organization’s executive director. OGB, based in Ashville, NC, has grown to over 75 members (retailers and vendors) in the outdoor industry in Western North Carolina.
L.L. Bean To Open Store In Hudson, MA
L.L. Bean plans to open a store in Hudson, which will represent its ninth store in Massachusetts.

Lululemon Hikes Outlook As Q1 Tops Guidance
Lululemon Athletica Inc. raised its earnings and sales guidance for the year after reporting first-quarter results that surpassed its expectations. Sales were up 32 percent in the first quarter with same-store sales ahead 24 percent.