
Mastercard: March Retail Sales Up 4.7 Percent, Driven By Growth In Service Sector And Grocery
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment, U.S. retail sales, excluding automotive, were up 4.7 percent year-over-year in March.

Ermenegildo Zegna Swings To 2022 Profit On Double-Digit Sales Growth
Ermenegildo Zegna N.V. reported that revenues for 2022 were €1.49 billion, up 15.5 percent year-over-year. Excluding the Greater China Region, which was affected by COVID-19-related restrictions throughout 2022, mainly from mid-March to the end of May and then again in the fourth quarter, 2022 revenues were up 42 percent year-over-year.
The Buckle Reports 10.1 Percent Comp Store Sales Decline For March
The Buckle, Inc. reported that comparable store net sales, for stores open at least one year, for the 5-week fiscal period ended April 1 decreased 10.1 percent from comparable store net sales for the 5-week period ended April 2, 2022.
Meijer To Open Indiana Supercenter
Meijer will open a new 159,000-square-foot supercenter in Elkhart, IN, on May 11, making it the 11th Meijer store in Northern Indiana, and will include a Meijer Express gas station, scheduled to open on April 13 adjacent to the center.
Nike, Inc. Appoints New EVP & Chief Communication Officer; Nigel Powell To Retire
Nike, Inc. promoted KeJuan Wilkins to EVP, chief communications officer effective June 1. He succeeds Nigel Powell, the company’s long-time EVP/CCO, who is retiring this summer.
Pentland Brands Names New Global Chief Operating Officer
Pentland Brands, parent company to Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury, Ellesse, and Mitre brands, promoted Abhy Thomas-Joseph to global chief operating officer. He will replace Jon Godden, who is leaving the company in June after 16 years with the company.
Costco Sees March Comps Slip On Changes in Gas Prices, FX Rates
Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $21.71 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 2, 2023, representing an increase of 0.5 percent from $21.61 billion last year.

Walmart Sees 65 Percent Of Stores Serviced By Automation By 2026; Reiterates Guidance
Walmart Inc. kicked off its two-day 2023 Investment Community meeting this week, with leadership highlighting how the company is investing to strengthen its business through its people and an unparalleled, next generation supply chain network of stores, clubs and fulfillment centers.
Dick’s SG Names Chief E-Commerce Officer
Dick’s Sporting Goods hired Denise Karkos, formerly at SiriusXM, as chief e-commerce officer.
NICS Checks Slide In March
The March 2023 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1.56 million represented a decline of 6.8 percent compared to the March 2022 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1.67 million.

Survey: Gen Z Still Prefers Nike, Chick-Fil-A and Goldfish; Off-Price Gets More Attention
Investment bank Piper Sandler Companies completed its 45th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens survey in partnership with Deca. The Piper Sandler survey highlights discretionary spending trends and brand preferences from 5,690 teens across 47 U.S. states with an average age of 16.2 years.
Bealls Rebrands Retail Portfolio
Bealls, Inc. reported that its 600 Bealls Outlet and Burkes Outlet locations in 23 states are consolidating under one name to become bealls (with a lowercase “b”).

Boardriders, Inc.’s Debt Ratings Upgrade Report Reveals ABG Deal Priced At $1.25 Billion
Moody’s Investors Service placed Boardriders, Inc.’s debt ratings on review for upgrade following the announcement that Authentic Brands Group (ABG) has made a binding offer to acquire the company. The report revealed the purchase price is approximately $1.25 billion.
FitFlop Secures $30 Million To Fund Growth
FitFlop secured a five-year $30 million revolving credit facility from London-based Aurelius Finance Company, an independent secured lender providing asset-based financing solutions to the UK and European companies to support long-term growth.
Rocky Brands Sells Servus Brand
Rocky Brands, Inc. reported it sold its Servus brand to PQ Footwear, LLC, an Industrias PetroQuim, SA subsidiary based in the Dominican Republic.