Weyco Q3 Sales Fall 13 Percent as Bogs Wholesale Falls 42 Percent
Though sales declined, Weyco said it delivered healthy operating earnings for the quarter relative to sales, as efforts to improve gross margins and control costs have continued to bolster profitability.
EXEC: BRC Sees Cautious UK Consumer Spending Stalling in October
The BRC reported that total UK retail sales increased 2.5 percent in October. The number was said to be below the three-month average growth of 3.1 percent and the 12-month average growth of 4.2 percent as reported by the BRC.
Birkenstock Names Managing Director of China
Birkenstock hired Tiffany Wu as managing director for Greater China. Most recently she managed the Greater China region for Blue Nile, the world’s largest online diamond sales company.
REI Co-Op Appoints VP of Foundation Technology
Guillaume Ledieu joined the company as vice president of foundation technology, a newly created role focused on “supporting the advancement of REI’s foundational business capabilities to drive operational efficiencies and effectiveness of its end-to-end value chain.”
Birkenstock Gets Lift from First Run of Post-IPO Analyst Reports
Wall Street brokerages largely initiated Birkenstock Holding with their top ratings, pointing to a likely boost from the German sandal maker’s loyalty with consumers, expansion into untapped categories, channels and geographies, and recent investments to increase capacity.
Nike Accuses New Balance, Skechers of Patent Infringement
Nike filed federal lawsuits against New Balance and Skechers, charging several New Balance shoes and Skechers sneakers with misusing the brand’s patented Flyknit technology for running, soccer and basketball shoes.
Sports Basement to Open Store in Long Beach
Sports Basement is opening a location in a former Sears store in Long Beach, CA. The opening will mark the Bay Area sporting goods chain’s second location in Southern California after opening in Fountain Valley in 2022.
ISPO Partners with Joor on Long-Term Deal
The giant sports tradeshow ISPO Munich and digital wholesale ecosystem JOOR have entered into a long-term partnership that aims to enhance and extend the digital selling opportunities available to ISPO brands.
Zelig Secures Funding Led by Hilco
Zelig, based in Los Angeles, reported it secured $15 million in Series A funding to support the launch of its AI-powered virtual try-on and styling technology (VTO-S). Hilco Global led the funding round, joined by luxury investor Bezikian Zareh, which brings the company to a $100 million valuation.
Lightspeed Commerce Revenues Jump 25 Percent in Fiscal Q2
The POS and payments platform used in the bike shop segment, with expansion into other active lifestyle specialty retail segments, reported strong fiscal Q2 progress in its key fiscal 2024 objectives.
Grand Rapids’ Al & Bob’s Sports to Close
Al & Bob’s Sports, the hunt & fish shop in Grand Rapids, MI, is closing after more than five decades.
Ebay opens Canal Street Wear store in NYC
The company said the streetwear industry is estimated to be worth more than $180 billion and global searches for streetwear have increased by more than 150 percent since the beginning of the year on eBay.
OR, Surf Expo Parent Sees Strong Core Show Business in Q3; Content Weakens
Emerald Holding, Inc., the operator of Outdoor Retailer and other trade shows, reported sales grew 16.2 percent in the third quarter ended September 30 while underlying earnings improved excluding year-ago event cancellation insurance benefits. Strength in its core trade show segment offset weakness in its content business.
EXEC: Wrapping Up the Less-Than-Jolly Holiday Forecasts For Retail
Holiday forecasts arriving in recent weeks roundly forecast sales will slow this year versus pandemic stimulus-boosted gains in recent years. However, while many expect a “resilient” consumer will drive solid gains similar to pre-pandemic levels, some see inflationary and macroeconomic concerns weighing disproportionately on discretionary spending.
Lids Opens NBA Store in Houston
Lids, in partnership with Fanatics and the NBA, opened a second NBA-themed store in The Galleria in Houston, TX, its second flagship in the U.S. following its New York City store that opened in 2015.
