Alabama’s Mark’s Outdoors Changes Ownership
The family-owned hunting, fishing and outdoor retailer operating in Vestavia Hills, AL, in the greater Birmingham area since 1980, transferred the business to Day 21, LLC, led by CEO Russell Watts.
EXEC: Eddie Bauer’s Retail Operator Sets Corporate Layoffs Ahead of HQ Closing
Eddie Bauer, LLC, the operator of Eddie Bauer’s North American stores, plans to permanently shutter its headquarters in Seattle, WA, and lay off about 60 employees in the process, according to a state filing.
EXEC: Dick’s SG Scores Upgrade from Baird, Eyes Strong Foot Locker Recovery Potential
Baird raised its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. to “Outperform” from “Neutral” due in part to bullishness on a robust recovery of the recently-acquired Foot Locker business. Analyst Jonathan Komp wrote in a note, “We are impressed by Dick’s productivity gains vs. pre-COVID levels and bullish on the multi-year Foot Locker recovery (levered to NKE’s turn).”
DSW and Topo Athletic Parent Designer Brands, Inc. Appoints CFO
Sheamus Toal, most recently at The Children’s Place, has accepted the role as EVP, CFO and principal financial officer at Designer Brands, effective February 16, 2026. Mark Haley, who has served as interim principal financial officer, will return full-time to his role as SVP, controller and principal accounting officer at the company.
Asics Acquires Two Running Race Registration Platforms
Asics reported its recent acquisition of the race registration platform “GetMeRegistered” from SPay, Inc. and signed an asset purchase agreement with another undisclosed company, in which it will provide a similar race registration platform for U.S. consumers, furthering its Mid-Term Plan 2026.
Saks Global to Close Nine Stores
Saks Global, which filed for bankruptcy protection on January 14, plans to close eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores as well as its Neiman Marcus Boston store, as it focuses on its “most profitable businesses.” Closures are based on performance and lease economics.
EXEC: Top Asia Footwear Factories Start 2026 with Similar Weak Trend Seen in 2025
It appears that the new year has not produced enough new energy to offset the recent declines or flat business in 2025 for at least two of the footwear manufacturers (Stella has not reported by press time) that started 2026 in a similar manner to how 2025 ended.
EXEC: Citi Downgrades Under Armour to “Sell” on Competitive Pressures
Citi Research downgraded Under Armour to “Sell” from “Neutral,” warning that the company’s North America (NAM) turnaround faces challenges against heightened competition and a reliance on promotions.
EXEC: Mizuno Breaks Records for Fiscal 9-Month Period But Americas Profit Hurt by Tariffs
While the company said overseas economies also experienced steady growth, it also took a respectful Japanese swipe at the U.S. tariff situation by noting that “uncertainty persisted both domestically and internationally due to factors such as trade policies of various countries and rising prices affecting personal consumption.”
New Target CEO Reshuffles Exec Team
Under new CEO Michael Fiddelke, Target has appointed a new chief merchandising officer and chief operating officer, announced the exit of its chief commercial officer, and announced the retirement of its chief merchant for apparel.
K-Swiss Appoints Head of Sales for U.S. Performance
K-Swiss appointed Dustin Perry as head of sales, U.S. performance, to drive growth across tennis and pickleball. The footwear brand also expanded its new sales reps coverage of the Southwest and hired a new sports marketing manager.
Report: REI Could Lose Lease on Milford, Connecticut Store After Center is Sold
Published reports indicate the 56,592-square-foot complex, anchored by REI, is currently listed as available in marketing materials, even though REI has a lease on its 25,377-square-foot store through the end of February 2027.
Report: Converse to Undergo Layoffs
The report notes that several senior executives at Converse were also departing. Aside from the layoffs, the brand is also looking to add new roles and reshuffle internal teams for some employees, per the report.
Brooks Running Appoints Claire Wood VP of Footwear Product Strategy
Brooks Running named Claire Wood, most recently VP of Product Creation and Global Footwear at Sorel, as VP of Footwear Product Strategy. In her new role, Wood will “guide Brooks’ footwear product line management, merchandising and product marketing teams.”
EXEC: Eddie Bauer Retail Stores Commence GOB Sales After Sales Fall 19 Percent Since 2022
Eddie Bauer, LLC, the entity operating Eddie Bauer’s stores in the U.S. and Canada, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a plan to close its 175 stores in North America while seeking a sale. In court papers, the company said a post-pandemic slowdown in outdoor-related sales, inflation, and U.S. tariffs had caused annual losses over the last four years and a 19 percent drop in sales since 2022.
