February’s core retail sales, as defined by the NRF, were up 0.9 percent seasonally-adjusted month-over-month but down 0.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year because of the comparison against unusually high sales in February 2024.
Category: Footwear

Birkenstock Settles in Chelsea for its Fourth London Location
The London, Chelsea store is Birkenstock’s sixth retail location in the UK. The company operates 37 stores in eight European countries, including this new location, with further openings planned in key cities.

EXEC: Golden Goose Spikes 2024 Revenues with 24 Global Store Openings
Retail drove DTC performance with 23 percent growth, supported by 24 net new store openings and high single-digit comp sales growth and double-digit comp growth in Q4. Wholesale channel sales declined 4 percent year-over-year.

Tailored Brands, Inc. Appoints Two New Board Members
The omnichannel specialty retailer of menswear, appointed Julie B. Rosen and Lewis L. Bird, III, as members of its Board of Directors, effective March 2025. Rosen and Bird collectively bring nearly seven decades of retail and business experience to their roles.

OR and Surf Expo Parent Swings to Q4 Profit on 5.2 Percent Revenue Growth
The Q4 increase was reportedly driven primarily by $6.1 million in organic revenue growth and $4.8 million in revenue from acquisitions, offset by scheduling adjustments of $3.7 million and prior-year revenue of $1.9 million related to discontinued events that were not contributing to profitability.

The Buckle Posts Flattish Q4 Net Sales on 3.9 Percent Comp Sales Gain
Online sales outpaced the store base in Q4, increasing 6.4 percent to $69.7 million for the 13-week fourth quarter, compared to net sales of $65.5 million for the 14-week period ended February 3, 2024.

EXEC: Zumiez CEO Details Strong Q4 Progress Across Softgoods Categories
The Men’s category maintained its positive momentum through year-end, delivering growth for the fifth consecutive quarter. The women’s category, became the largest growth category for the quarter. Skate Hardgoods were a drag.

Duluth Trading Sees Q4 Results Hurt by Retail Stores, Fulfillment Issues
Direct-to-consumer net sales increased by 0.4 percent to $172.9 million compared to the prior-year fourth quarter driven by greater penetration of mobile. Retail store net sales decreased by 6.9 percent to $68.4 million.

Sam Sato Sets Retirement from Duluth Trading Company CEO Role
During the transition period through April 25, Stephen L. Schlecht, the company’s chairman of the Board, founder and former CEO, will assume day-to-day leadership of the company with Sato’s assistance.

EXEC: Tilly’s, Inc. Expects Little Tariff Impact; Merchandising is Bigger Issue
Total foruth quarter comparable net sales, including both physical stores and e-commerce, decreased by 11.2 percent relative to the comparable 13-week period ended February 3, 2024, but have turned positive as weather improves.

EXEC: New Kohl’s CEO Kicks Off Turnaround Effort; Sees Private Label as Key
Asked about the balance between private label and national brands by an analyst, new CEO Ashley Buchanan emphasized that the customer will ultimately determine the mix, with a focus on delivering quality and value.

BSN Sports Parent Varsity Brands Taps into Pro Athlete Investors at Patricof Co
Over 45 of Patricof Co’s global athlete clientele, representing all major U.S. sports, have invested in Varsity Brands. This investment underscores P/Co’s commitment to “partnering with companies transforming the landscape of sports and community engagement.”

KNS International Acquires Birdies Brand; Gates to Stay as Brand President
Birdies, which launched in 2015 as a direct-to-consumer brand, will join the expanding KNS brand portfolio, which includes Journee, Taft and Vance. Co-founder Bianca Gates will join KNS as brand president.

Rupert Campbell Appointed Chief Commercial Officer for HeyDude
Campbell was, most recently, the president of Adidas North America, where he was responsible for leading one of the brand’s most critical markets and building relationships with wholesalers, partners and athletes.

EXEC: Allbirds Beats Estimates on Top-Line Decline, Shrinks Net Loss
Net revenue for the fourth quarter decreased 22.4 percent to $55.9 million, at the mid-point of the company’s prior guidance. The full-year impact of these actions was just over $22 million.