SGB Executive Footwear
EXEC: Academy’s Chief Merchant Talks Jordan Launch, Nike Brand Success, Tariff Disruption
Following the retailer’s first-quarter results report, Academy’s EVP and Chief Merchant Matt McCabe added more highlights from the business, including the promise to introduce the Jordan brand, a strong response to expanding Nike product and market share gains among higher-income households.
EXEC: Trump Announces U.S. and China Have Reached Trade Deal With 55 percent Tariff
President Donald Trump declared the trade war with China “done” Wednesday, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariffs on Chinese goods will be locked in at the current 55 percent rate without additional increases.
EXEC: Trump Tariffs Having Little Impact on Retail Footwear Prices
The May Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in cooler than expected, defying fears that the impact of President Trump’s tariffs would start to show a rise in prices. A separate analysis by the FDRA indicates that footwear prices in May likewise declined year-over-year.
EXEC: Academy CEO Sees Promising Returns from Improved Nike Allocations, Jordan Launch
First-quarter results missed analyst estimates and the retailer widened its full-year guidance due to potential inflationary pressures arriving this year. Management also shared many positive developments, including a healthy response to Nike product expansion and Jordan brand launch.
EXEC: Asia FW Factories Post Weaker Shipment Volumes in May 2025
Yue Yuen manufacturing revenue growth flattened to only a 0.5 percent year-over-year in May 2025, a sharp deceleration from the April 2025 trend. Feng Tay’s May year-over-year shipment decline cycled against strong double-digit growth in May 2024.
EXEC: Topo Leads Parent’s Brands Portfolio on Strong Q1 Growth; DBI’s Brands DTC Fell
The parent company of DSW, The Shoe Co. and Rubino retail brands, and owner of Topo Athletic, Keds, Le Tigre, Hush Puppies, and other footwear brands, reported a “soft start” to 2025 amid an unpredictable macroeconomic environment and deteriorating consumer sentiment.
EXEC: Morgan Stanley Downgrades Lululemon on Weakening U.S. Growth Outlook
Morgan Stanley downgraded Lululemon Athletica to “Equal-weight” from “Overweight” on waning confidence in a recovery in the company’s core U.S. market.
EXEC Q&A: Dan Sheridan, CEO, Brooks Running
Sheridan, who was promoted to Brooks’ CEO last April, talks with SGB Executive about Brooks’ recent momentum, entry into lifestyle footwear category, the tariff playbook, as well as the health of the overall run industry.
EXEC: Lululemon Shares Hurt by Analyst Price Target Cuts
Shares of Lululemon Athletica Inc. are down about 20 percent in mid-day trading on Friday, June 6 after the yoga-themed retailer trimmed its earnings guidance for the year as proposed tariffs threaten its supply chain. Lululemon officials on an analyst call remained bullish on Lululemon’s ability to manage the disruption. Calvin McDonald, company CEO, said, “We intend to leverage our strong financial position and competitive advantages to play offense.”
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Votes Upend XXL ASA General Meeting; CEO Freddy Sobin Ousted
Frasers Group plc, who was represented with 28,776,450 shares and votes, equal to approximately 96.5 percent of the shares and votes represented at the general meeting, may be responsible for moving the managing director of Frasers Group IBML into the XXL Interim CEO role.
EXEC: Journeys Gets Q1 Boost from Athletics Momentum, Saucony’s Return and Hoka’s Arrival
The Journeys comp sales jump in Q1 was largely driven by strength in athletics, supported by low profile and 2000s era running inspired trends, but also bigger athletic inventory investments, including the reintroduction of Saucony and introduction of Hoka.
EXEC: Crocs, Inc. to Emphasize Inventory Controls to Ride Out Tariff Uncertainty
Speaking Tuesday, June 3, at the Baird 2025 Global Consumer, Technology & Services Conference, Crocs, Inc. CEO Andrew Rees said the company will emphasize inventory discipline and maintain margins given the uncertainties created by the trade war.
EXEC: Hibbett Parent JD Sports Enters New Phase of U.S. Brand Consolidation
The owner of the City Gear, DTLR, Finish Line, JD and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S. market is ready to move to the next level in its retail brand consolidation here in the Colonies as DTLR and most City Gear stores will be merged under the DTLR brand.
EXEC: Shoe Station Doors to Dominate Shoe Carnival, Inc. Portfolio by 2027
In announcing plans to accelerate the rollout of Shoe Station, Mark Worden, Shoe Carnival’s president and CEO, told analysts that the Shoe Carnival locations, which the retailer has converted to premium Shoe Station concept, are seeing double-digit sales growth and accretive margins across affluent and rural markets.
EXEC: Golden Goose Posts DD First Quarter Growth on DTC Expansion
The Milan-based premium fashion sneaker said Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) net revenue was up 19 percent year-over-year (y/y), accounting for 76 percent of net revenues.
