SGB Executive

Fleet Feet Sports Embraces The Future  

“There’s probably not a bigger group of retailers who are excited to be in the position they’re in if you look at all the headwinds that retailers are facing,” said Joey Pointer, Fleet Feet Inc.’s new CEO, about Fleet Feet Sports’ franchise owners last week at the brand’s annual franchise conference.

Survey: Americans Divided Over Gun Policy Issues

According to a comprehensive survey from Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans (52 percent) would like to see stricter gun laws, while 18 percent think gun laws should be less strict than they are today.

Why Did Amazon Join SFIA’s Board?

Tom Cove, SFIA’s president and CEO, told SGB, “People in the industry and people at the brand level are figuring out the e-com channel, figuring out the Amazon-specific relations, and even figuring out their own e-commerce/direct-to-consumer initiatives while also looking to maintain relationships with traditional retailers. It’s all part of the mix.”

Finish Line Upbeat About Second-Half Rebound

Finish Line comps are projected to increase low-single digit due to easier comparisons, the sales lift from additional remodels, increased qualities of many current best sellers, and the strong pipeline of launch product, including more kids’ takedowns of top performing adult sizes.

SFIA’s Bill Sells Recalls Alexandria Baseball Practice Shooting

“It’s a little early for fireworks.” That’s what Bill Sells, VP for government relations at SFIA, literally said at 7:15 a.m. last Wednesday after hearing the first “pop” from a gunmen’s rifle at a baseball practice session of Republican lawmakers preparing for the next day’s Congressional Baseball Game.

Will Amazon’s Acquisition Of Whole Foods Transform Retailing?

Amazon shocked the retail world Friday morning by announcing that it had reached a deal to acquire Whole Foods Markets. While the move is largely seen as a way for the online giant to quickly way to gain a foothold in the grocery category, can the active lifestyle space be far behind?

Lululemon Sees Online Growth Accelerating In Second Half

Speaking at the William Blair 2017 Growth Stock Conference in San Francisco, Stuart Haselden, Lululemon’s COO and CFO, said that due to quick payback from extensive investments, growth in its online business is expected to bounce back in the second quarter “and accelerate in the second half.”

Nike To Axe 2 Percent Of Its Workforce In Restructuring

The restructuring will impact about 1,400 jobs globally and also includes a heightened focus on 12 key cities, the reduction of its geography structure to four regions from six and the creation of a Nike Direct organization to address the digital opportunity.

Unsecured Creditors Urge Rejection Of Payless Confirmation Plan

In urging a Missouri bankruptcy court to deny approval of Payless’ reorganization plan, the case’s unsecured creditors committee charged that Golden Gate Capital and Blum Capital Partners had “siphoned over $400 million out of the debtors” following the retailer’s 2012 IPO.

Canada Goose Sees ‘Tremendous’ White Space For Growth

In Canada Goose’s first investor conference since going public in March, Dani Reiss, president and CEO, railed against many of the “fake brands” in the active space while asserting Canada Goose remains in the early stages of growth.