Kohl’s Corp., reported net earnings in the second quarter ended August 4 rose 40 percent on a 3.1 percent comp gain and 42 basis points improvement in gross margins. The department store operator lifted the company’s guidance for the year.
Category: Footwear

Industry Rallies Against Proposed Tariffs On China-Made Goods
Officials from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) and Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) testified in strong opposition to proposed tariffs on Chinese-made sports, fitness and outdoor products. The officials stated that the proposed tariffs would likely raise prices for consumers and lead to job losses while also stressing how essential sports and outdoor products are in supporting healthy and active lifestyles.

Adidas Partners With Twitter To Live Stream Football Games
Adidas and Twitter announced ‘Friday Night Stripes’–the first-ever live streaming series of high school football games on Twitter.
Luxury Online Marketplace Farfetch To Go Public
London-based luxury online marketplace Farfetch filed for an IPO on Monday and plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker FTCH.

Analyst Sees Nike Taking Share From Adidas And Others
Susquehanna Financial analyst Sam Poser raised his rating and price target on Nike Inc. as channel checks show that the brand is gaining share from Adidas and others at athletic specialty retailers such as Foot Locker, Finish Line and Hibbett, and is also gaining share within the family footwear channel. Piper Jaffray also upgraded the stock.

Retail Reports Roundup
Studies arrived last week on consumers placing a higher priority on newness, online cart abandonment challenges, digital marketing’s effectiveness, strapped consumers and stores associate bonds helping deter shoplifting.
Li Ning’s Sales Climb 18 Percent In Half
Li Ning reported revenue increased by approximately 17.9 percent in the six months ended June 30 to RMB4.7 billion.
L.L.Bean Exec Joins Furniture Maker
Brad Kauffman, SVP of business transformation and strategy at L.L. Bean, has joined Thos. Moser, maker of handcrafted American furniture, as the company’s new chief revenue officer.
Nike To Sponsor Alabama A&M
Alabama A&M’s athletic department has joined an apparel partnership with Nike and BSN that begins during the 2018-19 athletic seasons.

Agenda And Liberty Fairs Announce Move
Agenda and Liberty Fairs announced plans to move out of the Sands Expo and Convention Center on the Las Vegas Strip to downtown Las Vegas, starting in February 2019. Adjacent to the up-and-coming Arts District, downtown Las Vegas “is the ideal home for the shows to continue to break the mold of a conventional trade show model to offer stand-out events, unique activations, and an overall elevated experience without limits,” according to a statement.

Department Store Roundup: Nordstrom Shares Soar After Standout Q2
Nordstrom Inc. shares skyrocketed on Friday—the day after a stellar quarterly earnings report—increasing $6.94, or 13.3 percent, at market close to secure the company’s spot as the standout department store performer in the second quarter.

Aisle Talk Week of August 13
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including VF Corp.’s market-moving news that the company is spinning off its jeans division and relocating to Colorado along with The North Face, Smartwool and other brands.
The North Face Names Jean-Marc Djian VP Of Global Footwear
The North Face on Thursday announced the appointment of Jean-Marc Djian as vice president of Global Footwear, effective immediately. Jean-Marc will report directly to Arne Arens, global brand president.

Reebok Appoints Kelly Hibler To Lead Classics Business
Reebok on Thursday announced the appointment of Kelly Hibler as general manager, Reebok Classics business unit. He will report to Reebok President Matt O’Toole.
Blain’s Farm & Fleet Announces Fourth Michigan Location
Family-owned and operated Blain’s Farm & Fleet has announced plans for the company’s fourth Michigan location in Ottawa County’s Holland Township. It is slated to open in the fall of 2019.