Pay growth at retail was said to be well above the national average at 8.5 percent in 2024, and up over 25 percent since 2021. The October Budget increases the National Living Wage by a further 6.7 percent, adding over £2.7 billion to retailer wage bills from April 2025.
Category: Sports/Fitness

SIA Participation Study Data Reveals Snowboarding and XC Skiing as Most Diverse
The SIA study found that Black male snowboarders make up 13 percent of male participants, which stands as the highest proportion of male snowboarders across all winter sports disciplines in the U.S.

ICSC Makes Final Argument for Brick & Mortar Holiday Shopping in New Survey Report
The membership trade organization serving the commercial real estate and retail industries reported physical stores remain an important part of holiday shopping, as 84 percent of surveyed respondents intend to shop in-store or visit a store to pick up an online order.

EXEC: Clothing and Footwear Are Key Contributors to UK’s Growing Inflation
November’s figures were driven primarily by increased inflation rates of fuel, clothing, and footwear, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Nordstrom Sets Plan to Open Rack Store in Nashua, NH
The 30,000-square-foot store will be located in Royal Ridge Center, a shopping center that includes Marshalls, Sierra Trading Post, HomeGoods, PetSmart, The Paper Store, and other retailers.

Joybees Appoints Ken Dayley as CEO
From 2014 to 2018, Dayley provided global digital consulting expertise to New Balance to support growth in the U.S. and international expansion in Europe. From 2012 to 2014, Dayley worked as the digital development business manager for Finish Line, Inc.

Five Iron Golf Acquires Thr3 Jack in Minneapolis’ North Loop
Now open, the new location offers golfers the opportunity to practice, improve and play iconic courses like Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, regardless of the weather or time of year, with Trackman simulators.

Foot Locker CTO Elected to PRA Group Board of Directors
As Foot Locker’s CTO, Butler drives technology strategy, innovation and delivery across their digital, data and analytics, supply chain/merchandising and omni-channel experiences. In addition to serving on multiple boards, Butler is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions.

Study: Shoplifting Increased 93 Percent Since 2019; Violence Jumped 84 Percent Since 2022
According to the study, retailers surveyed experienced an average of 177 shoplifting incidents per day in 2023; however, that number can reach over 1,000 depending on the retail sector.

Report: U.S. November Online Sales Up 9.8 Percent; SG Segment Down 1.4 Percent
November’s Core Retail Sales – as defined by NRF — based on the Census data but excluding automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants — were up 0.4 percent seasonally-adjusted m/m and up 3.8 percent unadjusted y/y.

Report: Resale Spending Trend Outpacing Traditional Retail
The findings collected by Consumer Edge show resale spending outpaced traditional retail in 2024, driven by budget-conscious consumers and an increased focus on sustainability amid an uncertain economic environment.

Pvolve Inks Deal to Open First Studio in Greater Kansas City
The deal reportedly marks Pvolve’s debut in Kansas and adds to the brand’s rapid growth, now boasting over 50 studios in development across the U.S.

EXEC: The Athlete’s Foot Opens Store in Rotterdam
TAF said the retail space represents a new “TAF 3.0” concept that has been “successfully tried and tested in the USA, now tailored to meet the unique cultural landscape and consumer demands of Rotterdam.”

EXEC: Perfect Moment Opens First Seasonal Store in Austrian Alps Ski Resort
The establishment of the Kitzbühel store, the fashionable winter ski resort in the Austrian Alps, follows the October opening of the company’s first seasonal retail location in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood.

Report: Over 157M Consumers Plan to Shop on Super Saturday, with Almost Half Online
The NRF suggests that with only four days between Super Saturday and December 25, shoppers will likely embrace multiple channels as they wrap up their holiday shopping; however, e-commerce appears to be the top destination with 49 percent of respondents going online.