JC Penney Names Jill Soltau CEO
J.C. Penney Co. Inc.’s board of directors on Tuesday announced the appointment of Jill Soltau as CEO and a member of the board of directors, effective Oct. 15. Soltau is a 30-year retail veteran who most recently served as president and CEO of JOANN Stores, the nation’s largest fabric and crafts retailer, after serving as president of Shopko Stores.
Smartwool Welcomes New Canadian Sales Manager
Smartwool announced Tuesday the company has hired Josh Novis as its Canadian sales manager, a new position created to allow Smartwool to better serve the company’s customers in Canada.
Timberland Opens Experiential Pop-Up In NYC
Timberland opened the doors to the company’s first experiential pop-up store on New York’s famed Fifth Avenue, at 43rd Street. The concept store reflects the brand’s 45-year heritage through the lens of nature–living trees, natural earth terrariums, an over-sized living green wall–and experiential weather moments to inspire the community to embrace the outdoors in the city.
Puma Appoints Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Puma has reinforced the company’s corporate communications team by appointing Robert-Jan Bartunek as senior manager corporate communications. In this position, Bartunek will report to Puma’s senior head of communications Kerstin Neuber.
SGB Executive Q&A: Hibbett Execs Discuss Latest Digital Initiative
The leadership team at Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc. readily acknowledges that the Birmingham, AL-based retailer has been behind the curve on digital capabilities, but Monday’s launch of new online features—Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) and Reserve Online, Pick Up in Store (ROPIS)—is another step in Hibbett’s plan to close the gap on its competitors.
FFANY And Informa Announce Collaboration To Support Footwear Industry Growth
The Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY), the non-profit organization that leads FFANY Market Weeks in New York and the organization’s NY Shoe Expo Tradeshows, and Informa PLC, organizer of FN Platform, MAGIC, Coterie and PROJECT, announced a joint collaboration to promote the development and growth of the footwear industry in the United States.
JC Penney CFO Exits
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. announced that Jeffrey Davis has informed the company that he is resigning from his position as executive vice president and chief financial officer effective Oct. 1 to pursue another opportunity. Jerry Murray, senior vice president of finance, will assume the position of interim chief financial officer.
Puma Adds Adriana Lima As Ambassador
Puma announced a long-term partnership with international supermodel Adriana Lima. She will be the new ambassador for the company’s women’s training business and represent the brand in marketing campaigns around the globe.
Birkenstock To Open First U.S. Store
Birkenstock announced the company has opened its first company-owned retail store in the United States. The store is located at 120 Spring Street in the historic SoHo neighborhood of lower Manhattan.
Decathlon Commits To Renewable Electricity
During last week’s Climate Week in New York City, Decathlon, Europe’s biggest sports retailer, announced that the company will be joining RE100, a global initiative by The Climate Group that unites 144 businesses committed to using renewable electricity to accelerate the shift to a low carbon economy.
Hibbett Sports Adds Two Online Features
Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc., a U.S. based athleisure retailer operating more than 1,000 premium athletic apparel, footwear and equipment stores in small and mid-sized markets, today announced the launch of the company’s two newest service enhancements: Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) and Reserve Online, Pick Up in Store (ROPIS).
Aisle Talk Week of September 24
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Amazon opening Amazon 4-star, a new physical store where everything for sale is rated four stars and above, is a top seller or is new and trending on Amazon.com.
Active-Lifestyle Well Represented On The Inc. 5000
Peloton, Bombas, Klymit, Xero Shoes and Hyperice were among a number of companies in the active-lifestyle space landing on The Inc. 5000, the magazine’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
Wall Street Bullish On Nike Following Q1 Beat
While shares of Nike Inc. dipped slightly Wednesday after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings, bullish reports arrived from Wall Street touting Nike’s innovation platforms and accelerated growth in North America.
Vasque Names Allison Gettings VP And General Manager
Vasque Footwear, part of the Red Wing Shoe Company, announced that Allison Gettings has been named vice president and general manager of Red Wing Vasque. George Curleigh, who has served as vice president and general manager for Vasque and Red Wing Heritage for two years, will pivot to focus exclusively on the global growth of Red Wing Heritage.
