Genesco Inc., the parent of Journeys, reported a steep loss in the first quarter that included an impairment charge for Schuh. Sales tumbled 44 percent in the first quarter with stores closed starting in mid-March. The loss of sales due to store closures was partly offset by triple-digit e-commerce comp gain for the month of April and 64 percent comp growth for the first quarter.
Category: Footwear

Nike Signs Norwegian Women’s Soccer Star
Nike has signed Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg to a 10-year endorsement deal. The 24 years-old, already the UEFA Champions League career goals leader, had been with Puma.

Active Industry Steps Up With Donations To Racial Justice Causes
Peloton, Puma, Lululemon and a number of other brands in the active lifestyle space in recent days have announced financial contributions to address racial inequity in the wake of George Floyd’s death that has led to protests across the country.

Crocs Announces New European Distribution Center
Crocs announced that construction has begun on its largest distribution center in Europe to be located in Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

Reebok To Cut Ties With CrossFit Over Founder’s Racial Remarks
Reebok announced that it will end its association with CrossFit after CrossFit’s Founder and CEO Greg Glassman equated the police killing of a black man to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Backcountry Announces Executive Leadership Changes
Backcountry, the online outdoor retailer, named Melanie Cox, formerly interim CEO at rue21, as its chief executive officer. Jonathan Nielsen, Backcountry’s CEO since March 2016, is departing. Additionally, Sarah Crockett, formerly at Burton, has been appointed chief marketing officer.

Modell’s Extends Bankruptcy Suspension Until June 15
Modell’s won another extension of the pause in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case as most stores remained closed due to COVID-19 and due to disturbances across retail following the May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Foot Locker To Close All North American Stores For George Floyd’s Memorial Service
Foot Locker will close all its locations on Monday, June 8, in observance of George Floyd’s Celebration of Life Servic

Puma Opens Midwest Fulfillment Center In Indiana
Puma has opened a new fulfillment center in Whitestown, IN. With an area of 640,000 square feet, the new center will complement the company’s long-standing California campus.

Nike Commits $40 Million To Black Communities
Nike said on Friday it will be committing $40 million over four years to support black communities on behalf of the Nike, Jordan and Converse brands collectively. This commitment will be focused on investing in and supporting organizations that put social justice, education and addressing racial inequality in America at the center of their work.

J.C. Penney Identifies 154 Stores To Close
J.C. Penney Company Inc, which filed for bankruptcy protection on May 15, has identified 154 stores it plans to permanently close in the first phase of closings.

NBA Approves Format To Restart Season With 22 Teams
The NBA Board of Governors approved a competitive format to restart the 2019/20 season with 22 teams returning to play and a tentative start date of July 31. The Board’s approval is the first formal step among many required to resume the season.

Wigwam Mills Reopens Factory With New Generation At The Helm
Wigwam Mills Inc. has reopened its factory as Wisconsin’s stay-at-home restrictions have been eased by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. In addition, the Wigwam Board of Directors announced that leadership of the 115-year old brand has shifted to the fourth-generation siblings Chris Chesebro and Margaret Newhard.

Caleres Sees 90 Percent Of Famous Footwear Stores Open By Late June
Caleres Inc., parent company to Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Allen Edmunds, Naturalizer, and other footwear brands, reported Thursday that following a strong start to the year, first-quarter 2020 results were significantly impacted by COVID-19 and subsequent closures of the company’s retail stores along with the closure of its wholesale partners’ store operations. Despite this, actions […]

Nike’s “Don’t Do It” Ad Earns Wide Praise But Some Pushback
Nike’s new “Don’t Do It” ad has drawn solid support from viewers although it if falls short of the marketer’s 2018 Colin Kaepernick ads on a couple key measures, according to findings from Ace Metrix, which tracks advertising effectiveness.