SGB Footwear

Report: Merchandise Returns Reach 14.5 Percent in 2023

According to the report released by the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail, for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer reportedly incurs $145 million in merchandise returns. Online sales do see a higher return rate, at 17.6 percent.

Happy Holidays From SGB Media

In observance of the Christmas holiday, SGB Media is taking time to be with family and will not publish the SGB Updates on December 25. Publishing will resume on December 26 with one Update newsletter daily through December 29. 

Nike to Undergo Layoffs, Cost-Cutting Amid Weakening Sales Outlook

Nike, Inc. reported earnings in its fiscal second quarter ended November 30 topped analyst expectations but also announced a  program to cut costs by about $2 billion over the next three years, including through layoffs, as it sees a “softer” sales outlook for its fiscal second half.

Compass Diversified Receives $75.2 Million Equity Investment

The owner of Velocity Outdoor, BOA, Primaloft, 5.11, and other active lifestyle brands, reported that it had completed a private placement of approximately 3.6 million of its common shares to a mutual fund managed by Allspring Global Investments to raise $75.2 million.

EXEC: Report Finds Troubling Core Participation Trend in Team Sports

SFIA’s recently released U.S. Trends In Team Sports Report noted that participation in 16 of 23 team sports tracked by the Association has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, and only one sport, soccer, showed Core Participation gains in the 2019-2022 period. However, the SFIA report offered more encouraging findings in team sports trends.

U.S. Consumer Confidence Rises to 5-Month High in December

The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 110.7 million in December, up from a downwardly revised 101.0 in November in an indication that concerns about a recession in the U.S. are lessening. The Index improved for the third consecutive month, reaching its highest level since July.