
EXEC: Authentic’s Reebok Europe Partner Acquired by Korean Retailer
Coupang, Inc., a Korea-based global retailer, reported plans to acquire the business and assets of online luxury retailer Farfetch, Authentic’s partner chosen to manage Reebok in Europe.
Golden Goose Aims to Raise $1.1 Million in IPO
Golden Goose is seeking to raise about €1 billion ($1.1 billion) from an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in Milan.

VF Corp. Data Breach Impacting Ability to Ship Orders
The company detected a cybersecurity breach in its systems on December 13 that is “reasonably likely to continue to have a material impact on the company’s business operations,” including its ability to fulfill online orders.

Jordan Brand President Joins Albertsons Board
Albertsons Companies, Inc. reported that Sarah Mensah, president of the Jordan Brand for Nike, Inc., had joined the supermarket chain’s Board of Directors.

Shoe Carnival Sets $50 Million Share Buyback Program
Shoe Carnival, Inc.’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for up to $50 million of its outstanding common stock, effective January 1, 2024.

Wolverine Transforming Saucony and Merrell Model in China; Sells Asia Leathers Business
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. said it plans to shift its Merrell and Saucony businesses in China from a joint venture model with with Xtep to a license and distribution rights model. It also agreed it sell its Asia-based Wolverine Leathers business. Both actions are expected to simplify Wolvderine’s business model and generate $70 million in proceeds.

Report: Sycamore Partners Exploring Bid For Macy’s
Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is reportedly eyeing making a bid for Macy’s, Inc., according WWD. The speculation comes after the Wall Street Journal, on December 12, reported that Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management made a $21 a share, or $5.8 billion, offer for the department store chain.

Yeezy Hires Head of Design
Kanye West’s fashion brand Yeezy hired Russian designer and former Adidas collaborator Gosha Rubchinskiy as head of design.

Adidas AG Appoints HR Chief to Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board of Adidas AG has appointed Michelle Robertson as an Executive Board member, responsible for global human resources, people and culture, effective January 1, 2024.

Association of Golf Merchandisers Honors Top 100 Golf Shops
The Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) announced the 2024 AGM Platinum Awards winners, recognizing the Top 100 golf shops.

StockX Outlines Cold Weather Footwear Favorites for Winter
According to the latest analysis from StockX, top picks at the culture marketplace include cold weather favorites from Ugg and performance styles from Salomon, New Balance and Hoka with Gore-Tex.

Costco’s Q1 Profits Top Targets
Costco reported earnings rose 16.5 percent in its fiscal first quarter ended November 26 as same-store sales rose 3.8 percent, including a 2.0 percent gain in the U.S. Earnings topped analyst expectations.

HanesBrands Appoints Former Walmart U.S. CEO as Chairman
HanesBrands announced that its Board of Directors had appointed William Simon as chairman of the board, effective December 31. His appointment follows Ronald Nelson’s decision to retire as chairman and a member of the Board at the end of the year.

November Sales Show Small Gain, Tops Expectations
The Commerce Department reported that retail sales rose 0.3 percent in November over the prior month, stronger than the 0.2 percent decline in October and better than the Dow Jones estimate for a decrease of 0.1 percent.

EXEC: Foot Locker Earns Upgrade On Turnaround Prospects
Shares of Foot Locker rose 10.1 percent Thursday after Piper Sandler & Co. upgraded Foot Locker from “Neutral” to “Overweight.” Piper analyst Abbie Zvejnieks believes the sneaker retailer’s turnaround potential compares favorably to other turnaround stories in the active lifestyle space, including Allbirds, Under Armour, VF Corp., and Wolverine Worldwide.