SGB Executive Footwear
EXEC: MEC Opens Second Vancouver Island Store Location
The Canadian retail chain said the 24,158-square-foot space, at 2517 Bowen Road, is intended to capitalize on “strong growth and renewed momentum since returning to Canadian ownership.”
EXEC: Jefferies Analyst Bullish On Nike ACG Relaunch
Randy Konik, an analyst at Jefferies, issued a note touting the potential of Nike’s relaunch of ACG as a standalone outdoor-performance brand amid strong underlying demand for outdoor sportswear. He wrote, “This is a smart, potentially material move.”
Footasylum CEO Departs
Footasylum CEO David Pujolar has left the UK-based retailer. No reason reported. Stephan Rahmede, senior representative for Aurelius WaterRise, the in-house operations advisory team for Aurelius Group, and the owner of Footasylum, will take over in an interim capacity.
EXEC: Asics Corp. Completes Strong 2025 on the Back of Lifestyle Categories
The company saw all categories and regions post increases for the year, but that momentum was not necessarily balanced across the portfolio, either from a sales trend, sales contribution, or profit contribution basis. SportStyle and Onitsuka Tiger each posted growth exceeding 43 percent for the year.
EXEC: Nike CEO Heralds ACG’s Outdoor Opportunity at Milano Cortina Olympics
In a televised interview with Bloomberg in Milan at the Winter Olympics, Nike President and CEO Elliott Hill hyped Nike’s rediscovered potential in the outdoor category through the relaunch of ACG (All Conditions Gear), eyeing major growth opportunities beyond the brand’s focus on trail running.
EXEC: Crocs, Inc. CEO Lays Out Solid Path for Future After Holiday Quarter Beat and Upbeat Outlook
The company expects Crocs Brand full-year revenue to be flat to up 2 percent on a reported basis, led by approximately 10 percent International growth, offset by declines in North America as the company anniversaries the strategic actions taken in the second half of 2025.
EXEC: Eddie Bauer’s Retail Operator Sets Corporate Layoffs Ahead of HQ Closing
Eddie Bauer, LLC, the operator of Eddie Bauer’s North American stores, plans to permanently shutter its headquarters in Seattle, WA, and lay off about 60 employees in the process, according to a state filing.
EXEC: Dick’s SG Scores Upgrade from Baird, Eyes Strong Foot Locker Recovery Potential
Baird raised its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. to “Outperform” from “Neutral” due in part to bullishness on a robust recovery of the recently-acquired Foot Locker business. Analyst Jonathan Komp wrote in a note, “We are impressed by Dick’s productivity gains vs. pre-COVID levels and bullish on the multi-year Foot Locker recovery (levered to NKE’s turn).”
EXEC: Top Asia Footwear Factories Start 2026 with Similar Weak Trend Seen in 2025
It appears that the new year has not produced enough new energy to offset the recent declines or flat business in 2025 for at least two of the footwear manufacturers (Stella has not reported by press time) that started 2026 in a similar manner to how 2025 ended.
EXEC: Citi Downgrades Under Armour to “Sell” on Competitive Pressures
Citi Research downgraded Under Armour to “Sell” from “Neutral,” warning that the company’s North America (NAM) turnaround faces challenges against heightened competition and a reliance on promotions.
EXEC: Mizuno Breaks Records for Fiscal 9-Month Period But Americas Profit Hurt by Tariffs
While the company said overseas economies also experienced steady growth, it also took a respectful Japanese swipe at the U.S. tariff situation by noting that “uncertainty persisted both domestically and internationally due to factors such as trade policies of various countries and rising prices affecting personal consumption.”
Report: REI Could Lose Lease on Milford, Connecticut Store After Center is Sold
Published reports indicate the 56,592-square-foot complex, anchored by REI, is currently listed as available in marketing materials, even though REI has a lease on its 25,377-square-foot store through the end of February 2027.
EXEC: Eddie Bauer Retail Stores Commence GOB Sales After Sales Fall 19 Percent Since 2022
Eddie Bauer, LLC, the entity operating Eddie Bauer’s stores in the U.S. and Canada, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a plan to close its 175 stores in North America while seeking a sale. In court papers, the company said a post-pandemic slowdown in outdoor-related sales, inflation, and U.S. tariffs had caused annual losses over the last four years and a 19 percent drop in sales since 2022.
EXEC: Descente’s Sales Dip in Fiscal Q3, Record Profits in Nine Months
Descente reported earnings declined 1.4 percent in the fiscal third quarter ended December 31 as sales slid 3.2 percent. However, the Japan-based sporting goods manufacturer still posted record profits in the nine months, driven by strong sales in China.
EXEC: Gant to Bring Footwear Ops In-House Under Gant Footwear AB
The U.S.-founded, Sweden-based brand will conclude its licensing agreement with Hamm Footwear GmbH, effective with the Spring/Summer 2027 season, and will take its footwear operations in-house “as part of its continued focus on strengthening the brand and business over time.”
