New Balance To Expand Operations At Skowhegan Plant
New Balance announced plans to invest $65 million in construction and capital equipment to double its production capacity to one million pairs of shoes at its factory in Skowhegan, ME.
November Retail Sales Dip 0.6 Percent
U.S. retail sales fell 0.6 percent in November from October but were up 6.5 percent year-over-year, the Department of Commerce reported. That compares with increases of 1.3 percent month over month and 8.3 percent year-over-year in October, which got a boost from earlier-than-usual holiday shopping driven by concerns that inflation would continue to increase prices.
Fleet Feet Plans To Open A Second Store In Pittsburgh
Fleet Feet is planning to open a second store in Pittsburgh in the near future. Look for more news next week on details once the store is open.
Shoe Carnival Launches Share Buyback Program
Shoe Carnival, Inc.’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $50 million of its outstanding common stock, effective January 1, 2023.
Bentonville Becomes Headquarters For U.S. National Mountain Bike Team
USA Cycling reported that Bentonville, AR, was selected as the official training site for the U.S. National Mountain Biking Team.
NRF Study Forecasts More Than $816 Billion In Holiday Returns
Consumers are expected to return more than $816 billion worth of retail merchandise purchased in 2022, according to a retail report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Appriss Retail. As retail sales continue to grow, the average rate of return has remained flat at 16.5 percent compared with 16.6 percent in 2021.
Dunham’s Sports To Open Stores In Wisconsin And Nebraska
Dunham’s Sports is opening stores on December 16 in Manitowoc, WI and North Platte, NB.
Al’s Sporting Goods To Open In Boise
Al’s Sporting Goods is opening a stores in Boise, ID, according to boisedev.com.
Record 158 Million Shoppers Expected To Shop Super Saturday
This year, a record 158 million consumers are expected to shop on the last Saturday before Christmas, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The number is approximately 10 million more than last year’s expected Super Saturday shopper count and the highest number since the NRF started tracking the data in 2016.
L.L.Bean Inks Licensing Agreement In Japan
Japanese firm Itochu Corp. reported it acquired the master license rights for L.L.Bean in Japan and the wholesale rights for imported products.
Imports Winding Down As Holiday Season Nears Finish Line
With most holiday merchandise on retailers’ shelves or in warehouses for the season, December cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is forecasted to be below record levels set earlier this year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Elevate Outdoor Collective Hires Global CMO
Elevate Outdoor Collective hired Jon Roy as chief marketing officer. Previously, Roy was the vice president of Global Energy Brand Marketing at Converse.
Dick’s SG’s Jefferson City Location To Close
DKS is closing its Jefferson City, MO store, effective December 31, 2022, according to the Jefferson City News Tribune.
Nike And BSN Sports Sign Three-Year Deal With App State University
Nike and BSN Sports signed a three-year deal with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Fenix Outdoor Names Global Brand President, Royal Robbins
Fenix Outdoor named Erik Burbank, a former Keen and Helly Hansen executive, as global brand president, Royal Robbins, succeeding Michael Millenacker.
