SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
Nike Inc. Takes Cost-Cutting Efforts to EU with Start of HQ Job Cuts
Nike is cutting jobs at its EU headquarters in Hilversum, Netherlands, outside of Amsterdam, as part of a multi-year cost-cutting plan, according to early reporting from Reuters, citing internal sources at the EU headquarters.
EXEC: DBI Gets Q1 Lift from Topo and Keds While Dress and Seasonal Drag on Retail
DBI also acquired Rubino, a profitable Canadian footwear retailer operating nearly 30 stores, specifically serving the Province of Quebec. Quebec represents nearly one-quarter of Canada’s population, but DBI had no existing presence. Rubino did CN$47 million in 2023.
EXEC: Salomon Opens Two New Stores in Paris Ahead of the Olympics
The first Salomon Sportstyle brand store opened in Paris’ Le Marais neighborhood, joining its recently reported, newly opened Champs-Élysées flagship location.
EXEC: Genesco CEO Outlines the Journeys Turnaround Plan and Progress
As Journeys’ product advances and other strategic initiatives across the business take hold, Journeys’ parent expects momentum to build into fiscal 2026 but also warned of Q2 and Q3 challenges ahead.
EXEC: Athleta Sees Solid Turnaround in Q1, but Q2 Challenged by Tough Promo Comps
Athleta posted 5 percent comp sales growth in Q1, a clear improvement from the forth quarter results that saw Athleta comps down 10 percent and total sales down 4 percent.
EXEC: Inside the First Quarter Foot Locker Call with Senior Execs
The retailer remains confident they will get more allocation on key Nike product this coming fall and holiday, but is also busy going about the business of doubling Hoka each quarter, expanding Asics fueling New Balance growth and getting on the On brand train for the ride.
EXEC: Dick’s SG Leadership Details Q1 Comps, House of Sport, 50K Stores, Q2 View
First-quarter comps were reportedly driven by a 2.7 percent increase in transactions and a 2.6 percent increase in average ticket with strength across footwear, athletic apparel and hardlines. DKS will begin to anniversary the higher shrink rates from 2023 in the second quarter.
EXEC: U.S. Supreme Court Denies Avenatti Appeal to Overturn Nike Fraud Conviction
The Supreme Court rejected Michael Avenatti’s appeal to overturn his conviction for attempting to extort nearly $25 million from Nike and cheating other clients out of millions. He is serving 30 months in a San Pedro, CA, federal corrections facility.
EXEC: TAF Parent Completes Acquisition of Germany-Based Lloyd Shoes
Arklyz owns The Athlete’s Foot, Asphaltgold, Intersocks, Arkrod, and several global licenses or wholesale distribution for Salomon, Head, Nordica, Mammut, Crocs, Adidas, HeyDude, and others.
REI Chicago Union Workers Disrupt Anniversary Sale, Walk Off Job
REI Union Chicago workers walked off the job this on Saturday May 18, during the retailer’s annual Anniversary Sale, demanding the retailer reach a “fair contract” by the end of 2024.
EXEC: Tom Cove to Retire from SFIA Leadership Post in October
Always the gentleman, always understated and always a class act, Tom Cove let slip this week that he will retire from his leadership role at the SFIA, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, formerly SGMA, in the fall.
EXEC: Is Adidas Killing the Golden Goose?
This week, the headlines in the sneaker world were filled with a billboard proclaiming, “Adidas Plans Cheaper Versions of Popular Shoes Like the Samba” and outrage from sneaker aficionados that the brand would dare step on the toes of its iconic shoe.
EXEC: CEO Kevin Plank Outlines Dramatic Turnaround Plan for Under Armour
With some apparent aggravation on what the brand has become, Plank noted that Under Armour has become a brand that competes primarily on price versus what should be its core competency—performance and technical innovation.
EXEC: Descente Ltd. Fiscal Year Profits Increase in Double Digits on Solid Sales Growth
Net sales for the fiscal year increased 5.3 percent to ¥127.0 billion reportedly due primarily to growth in DTC net sales that expanded the channel composition ratio, sales growth in South Korea, and China’s incorporation of Le Coq Sportif Co., Ltd. into consolidated results from the previous fourth quarter.
EXEC: Industry Organizations Push Back on Biden Administration’s Tariff Decisions
The decision to maintain Section 301 China tariffs and implement new tariffs has U.S. retail and brand companies up in arms over the decision released this week by the Biden administration.
