EXEC: Intersport International Will See Prodigal Son Tom Foley Return as CEO in July 2025
Tom Foley most recently served as CEO at Go Sport where led a chain of stores and a network of international franchises. Foley’s background also includes a stint as general manager for Intersport UK and Ireland, a role he served in for six years until 2017.
EXEC: Fila and Anta Brands Carry a HSD China Retail Growth Trend into First Quarter
Retail sales for the Fila brand in the 2025 first quarter in the China market again increased in the high-single digits year-over-year, consistent with the growth trend in the 2024 fourth quarter.
Rag & Bone Launches Australian Owned E-Commerce Platform
Rag & Bone has launched an Australian owned e-commerce platform, rag-bone.com.au, with Signal Brands Australia.
Adidas’ Adizero Aruku, Designed for Life in Motion
The high-stacked silhouette of the Adizero Aruku was made on SwirlFoam cushioning, which takes the form of a platform midsole. Portuguese professional footballer Rafael Leão and London’s DJ Jordss to headline the marketing campaign.
EXEC: Yue Yuen’s Pou Sheng China Retail Unit Declines Again in March
Yue Yuen’s Pou Sheng China retail business and the YY Sports retail brand posted another down month in March 2025 but the decline did moderate month-over-month from a deep decline in February.
G-III Apparel and Aldo Ink Footwear License Deal for G.H.Bass Brand
Under the agreement, Aldo Product Services will design, manufacture, distribute, market and sell G.H.Bass footwear, bags and small leather goods.
EXEC: Asia FW Factory Growth Moderates in March; Feng Tay Dips
Yue Yuen’s manufacturing business, which boasts Adidas, Merrell, Asics, and many footwear brands as key customers, posted a 3.5 percent increase in March. Feng Tay, a major Nike supplier, returned to negative territory, dipping 1.7 percent year-over-year.
The Buckle Posts Larger Comp Sales Increase for March
Comparable store net sales for the 5-week period ended April 5 increased 3.7 percent year-over-year. The two-month YTD period comped up 1.6 percent year-over-year.
Piper Sandler Survey Reveals Nike, Lululemon and Stanley Losing Teen Mindshare
The latest Piper Sandler Taking Stock With Teens survey for spring 2025 found Ugg has moved up the most (two spots with 4-points in share gains year-over-year), followed by On Running (two spots with 1-point in share gains year-over-year).
NRF Expected Cargo Traffic to Drop Dramatically Before Latest Tariff Moves
The latest Global Port Tracker report released on April 9 by the NRF and Hackett Associates suggests cargo traffic will drop dramatically beginning next month; however, that outlook might change given the changes in the tariff picture.
Costco Sees March Comps Grow 9.1 Percent x-Gas; E-Commerce Up High Teens
Costco reported net sales of $25.5 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 6, 2025, an increase of 8.6 percent from $23.5 billion in fiscal March last year.
EXEC: Trump Admin Hits “Pause” on Most Higher Tariffs; Bumps China to 125 Percent
U.S. President Donald Trump either reminded the markets that he authored “The Art of the Deal” or awoke Wednesday to the reality that the U.S. bond and stock markets were going to drag down his legacy. Either way, there is broad relief coming.
Fleet Feet Franchisee to Open Third North Carolina Store in Jacksonville
Michelle Fogle opened her first Fleet Feet store at the Forum Shopping Center in Wilmington, NC 10 years ago, followed by a second Wilmington location two years ago.
EXEC: JD Sports Revises Medium Term Plan as Sport Fashion Market Growth Slows
The parent company of the JD, Hibbett, Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S. now expects the sport fashion sector to grow at a slower rate over the medium term and is adapting its plans to capitalize on growth opportunities and the investments already made in infrastructure over the last two years.
EXEC: JD Sports Posts “Broadly Flat” FY 2025 Sales; Sees Comp Sales Lower in FY 2026
The parent of the JD, Hibbett, Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S. reported 5.8 percent organic revenue growth for the 2025 fiscal year ended February 1. Total revenue in fiscal 2026 is expected to grow due to the impact of the acquisitions the company made during fiscal 2025.
