Pugliese replaces outgoing CEO Sam Soto, who announced last week he was leaving the business. She first joined Duluth Trading in November 2008 as VP of product and merchandising, and was promoted continuosly until assuming the CEO role in 2015, a role she served in until 2019.
Category: Footwear

NRF: Consumer Spending Not Unraveling; Retail Sales Growth to Continue in 2025
The association’s 2025 sales forecast compares with 3.6 percent annual sales growth to $5.29 trillion dollars in 2024. This year’s forecast also aligns with the 10-year pre-pandemic average annual sales growth of 3.6 percent.

EXEC: Intersport Posts Tepid 2024 Omni-Channel Sales Growth to €14.0 Bn
Despite a challenging business landscape, Intersport saw particularly positive 2024 growth in its French, Italian and Swiss markets, as well as an upward trend in several specific categories, including Sportstyle, Football and Running.

EXEC: Sportsman’s Warehouse Shares Surge as Analysts Buy into Progress
Fishing led all categories for Q4 comp growth, following by Camping. Hunting and Shooting Sports comped down, but outpaced NICS trends. The retailer is estimating fiscal 2025 net sales to be in the range of negative 1 percent to up 3.5 percent over 2024.

Dr Martens Celebrates 65 Years, Drops Limited Edition 1460
To celebrate the 65 anniversary of the 1460, the company has made 1460 pairs of this premium iteration, making it a collector’s item for Dr. Martens aficionados.

Macy’s Advances “Bold New Chapter”; Appoints New Finance Head
Capri Holdings’ finance and operations head, Thomas J. Edwards, will become chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Macy’s, Inc., effective June 22.

Marathon Sports Acquires Fleet Feet Maine Running
Fleet Feet Maine Running, the two-store specialty store based out of Portland, ME, has concluded the sale of its specialty running business to Marathon Sports, a 26 location New England running specialty store brand based in Boston.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Swings to Adjusted Net Profit in Q4 on Flattish Comp Sales
On a comparable 13-week basis, fourth-quarter net sales decreased 0.9 percent compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Same-store sales declined 0.5 percent year-over-year on a 13-week comparable basis.

Birkenstock Opens Tenth U.S. Retail Store in Nashville, TN
Birkenstock Nashville, located at 2212 12th Avenue South, hosted an opening event on March 27. Birkenstock created a campaign that spotlights the locals who shape the city’s culture and long-time Birkenstock wearers, captured by photographer Cristina Fisher.

FDRA: Most Footwear Execs Surveyed See Weakening Business Ahead
The Q1 survey conducted among footwear execs reportedly shows a significant decline in industry confidence, with 87 percent of respondents expecting a weaker economy over the next six months – the most pessimistic outlook in the survey’s history.

EXEC: On Holdings to Transition Leadership as Co-CEO Marc Mauer Plans Exit
The company is transitioning to a single CEO structure, with current Co-CEO and CFO Martin Hoffmann assuming the role of CEO. The company has also appointed four key senior leaders to further strengthen the existing team.

EXEC: Puma Set to Open First European Flagship Store in London in Fall 2025
The store opening is part of Puma’s brand elevation strategy to strengthen its presence globally, delivering “a shopping experience that reflects the brand’s innovation, sports performance and deep connection to global street culture.”

EXEC: Fila Holdings Officially Changes Name to Misto Holdings
Misto Holdings manages a portfolio of brands, including Fila, Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, and others; however, the name Fila Holdings was closely associated with the Fila brand, leading to a limited perception of its broader portfolio and global brand management role.

Report: Taking a Global Pulse on Shopping with a Sustainable Mindset
To better understand the consumer perspective, Blue Yonder’s fourth annual Consumer Sustainability Survey surveyed more than 5,000 consumers across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), France, Germany, U.K., and U.S. on their sustainable shopping opinions and behaviors.

REI Co-op Names New Chief Merchant with Diverse Big Box Background
REI said Kristin Shane brings extensive experience across diverse consumer product and retail businesses, including The Guitar Center, PetSmart and Target.