
EXEC: Columbia Cutting 3 to 5 Percent of U.S. HQ Staff on Lowered 2024 Outlook
Bright spots for 2023 included a 27 percent reduction in inventory that helped the company generate over $600 million in operating cash flows for the year, but a sick U.S. market for the Columbia brand and weaker Sorel and Prana performances continue to drag on the business.

Lotto Hires Head of Talent for U.S. Soccer Division; Adds to Athlete Roster
Lotto hired former Major League Soccer MVP Mike Magee as the first head of talent for its U.S. soccer division and signed St. Louis City SC vice-captain and defender Tim Parker as an ambassador athlete.

Skechers Posts First $8 Billion Year; Shares Fall on Guidance
For the fiscal year 2024, the company believes it will achieve sales between $8.60 billion and $8.80 billion and diluted earnings per share between $3.65 and $3.85 a share.The company sees Q1 sales between $2.175 and $2.225 billion.

Deckers Brands Again Firing on All Cylinders; Ugg Posts Billion Dollar Q3
Net sales increased 16.0 percent to $1.56 billion compared to $1.35 billion in the prior-year period. On a constant-currency basis, net sales increased 15.1 percent. Net sales are expected to be approximately $4.15 billion for 2024.

Columbia Sportswear Q4 Profit Falls 26 Percent; Guides Lower for 2024
Chairman and CEO Tim Boyle expects 2024 to be a challenging year as retailers place orders cautiously, and economic and geopolitical uncertainty remains high.

Decker Brands Names New CEO Designate as Powers Plans Retirement
Dave Powers has decided to retire as president and CEO, effective August 1, 2024. Stefano Caroti, the company’s chief commercial officer, will be appointed president and CEO, effective upon Powers’ retirement.

Circana Creates Global Commercial Group as Tim Bush Plans Exit
The creation of a Global Commercial organization, which will encompass Circana’s global client verticals and solution groups, will be led by Jeremy Allen in the newly created role of chief commercial officer.

Ross Stores Appoints President and CMO for DD’s Discounts
Karen Fleming, currently group EVP of merchandising for DD’s Discounts, has been promoted to president and chief merchandising officer for the Ross Stores division.

Crocs Brand Gets New President as Michelle Poole Sets Retirement Plan
EVP & CFO Anne Mehlman will be promoted to EVP and president of the Crocs Brand. Until her replacement is named, Mehlman will continue as CFO of the company.

Altra Expands Timp Family of Trail Shoes
The Timp collection gives runners and hikers more control with improved stability and flexibility for going through rough terrain.

EXEC: Amer Sports IPO Comes Up Short; Some Cite China Concerns
Arc’teryx generated 43 percent of its overall revenues in Greater China in the nine-month YTD period in 2023, while the region only generated 5 percent of sales for Salomon and Wilson. Thirty-six Arc’teryx stores in China accounted for 16.7 percent of global brand revenues for the 2023 YTD period.

Boot Barn Holdings Sees Comps Down and Profits Up in Fiscal Q3 Period
The 9.7 percent decrease in consolidated same-store sales is said to be comprised of a decrease in retail store same-store sales of 9.4 percent and a decrease in e-commerce same-store sales of 11.5 percent.

EXEC: Adidas Tops Latest 2023 Guidance; Will Not Write-Off Most Yeezy Inventory
Adidas is reporting that 2023 currency-neutral revenues were flat versus the prior-year in reported euro terms, and sales were said to be down 5 percent to €21.43 billion in 2023, compared to €22.51 billion in 2022 in reported euro terms.

Walmart U.S. Now Sees 150 New Stores Over Next Five Years
The retailer is also finalizing construction plans on 12 new projects it intends to start this year, along with converting one of its smaller locations to a Walmart Supercenter.

Fanatics Commerce Appoints Three Key Executives
Stephen Dowling joins Fanatics Commerce in a new role as president, international. Valerie Love joins the company as chief people officer, and Justin Tsai joins in the newly created role of chief product officer.