
Caleres Touts ‘Exciting’ Acquisition Of Vionic Group
Last month’s $360 million acquisition of Vionic Group so far has checked all the boxes that Caleres Inc. was targeting with the deal, and now the company will look to its newest asset to boost top- and bottom-line growth.
Agenda Long Beach Shifts To Consumer Focus
Reed Exhibitions (RX) announced that it will postpone its Agenda Winter Long Beach trade event scheduled for January 3-4, 2019 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The Southern California edition of Agenda will evolve its platform to have a greater focus on the B2C festival in June 2019.

Foot Locker Partners With Funko On NBA Collection
Funko Inc. announced that it is now selling Pop! NBA figurines at Foot Locker. The Pop! players available include James Harden, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kristaps Porzingis, and LeBron James, in an exclusive Los Angeles Lakers gold Icon Edition jersey.
Asics America Partners With Right To Play
Asics America Corporation is teaming up with Right To Play (RTP) this holiday season to help get kids moving, powered by the contributions of consumers at Asics stores across the country this Giving Tuesday.
Payless Pops Up In Times Square
Payless recently opened its first ever holiday pop-up location in New York City. The temporary store concept is located at 136 W 42nd Avenue, between Times Square and Bryant Park.
MEC To Open In Saskatchewan
MEC, the outdoor co-up based in Vancouver, will open a new 20,000 square-foot store in Saskatoon in spring 2020, the Co-op’s first retail location in Saskatchewan.

North Face Amps Up Engagement And Storytelling In Williamsburg Concept Store
In a walk-through of North Face’s new Protoype concept in Williamsburg, Mark Parker, the brand’s VP of direct to consumer (DTC), said the store showcases North Face’s expansive lifestyle offerings, puts a major focus on community engagement and will serve as a testing lab for future retail ideas. Said Parker, “This is a place where we’re going to play and learn.”

Caleres Lifts Guidance On Strong Famous Footwear Sales, Vionic Deal
Caleres Inc. lifted its guidance after a solid third quarter that saw the company get a boost from Famous Footwear and also announce the acquisition of Vionic.

Foot Locker Offers Upbeat Holiday View On Robust Q3
Foot Locker Inc. reported third-quarter earnings rose 9 percent before special items due to improved margins and a 2.9 percent gain in same-store sales. Earnings topped Wall Street’s average target by 3 cents. Dick Johnson, CEO, said the company is “well positioned to produce even stronger results in the all-important holiday selling season and the fourth quarter overall.”

Kohl’s Sees Q3 Comps In Active Segment Jump 10 Percent
The Active segment for Kohl’s, which has grown to represent about 20 percent of the retailer’s mix, saw comps climb 10 percent in the third quarter and Kohl’s officials believes the chain is increasingly being perceived as a go-to place for active apparel. Shares slipped on a weak guidance for the fourth quarter.

VF Corporation Appoints Todd Dalhausser As Altra Brand President
VF Corp. on Tuesday announced the appointment of Todd Dalhausser to the position of brand president, Altra, effective immediately. He will report to Steve Murray, vice president, strategic products.

TJX Shares Slip On Q3 Gross Margin Dip, Earnings Miss
Shares of The TJX Cos. fell $2.14, or 4.4 percent, Tuesday as increased freight costs and supply chain expenses offset the company’s strong expense leverage in the third quarter, dropping gross margin 90 bps to 28.9 percent.
The North Face Signs Lease In Mexico City
The North Face has signed a long-term lease at Town Square Metepec, a new lifestyle retail and entertainment center in Mexico City totaling 1.7 million square feet, according to real estate company Thor Equities Group.

Kohl’s Lifts Guidance On Improved Q3
Kohl’s Inc. raised its guidance for the year after reporting third-quarter results topped Wall Street’s targets. Earnings in the third quarter rose 38 percent as comps grew 2.5 percent.
TJX’s Q3 Disappoints With Holiday Guidance
The TJX Companies Inc. reported third-quarter earnings improved as comps grew a stronger-than-expected 7 percent but earnings came in lower than Wall Street’s targets and the off-price retail giant gave weak guidance for the holiday quarter.