
EXEC: Fashion Footwear, LLC Prevails in Appeal Over Pony License Cancellation
The New York Appellate Court’s decision reportedly upheld the lower court’s ruling that Pony’s attempted termination of Fashion Footwear’s license agreement to enter into a license agreement with a new licensee, Genesco, Inc., was improper and invalid.

Report Defines Where U.S. Shein and Temu Shoppers are Spending More After Tariff Hit
To identify where consumers are spending their money, Consumer Edge analyzed shoppers who made at least two purchases at Temu or Shein in January or February 2025 but no purchases in March or April.

Rural King Opens Newest Store in Pennsylvania
The family-owned retailer for over six decades, catering to the rural lifestyle, has opened a new store in Altoona, PA. The store will hold a grand opening from May 23-25.

Foot Locker’s Debt Ratings Placed Under Review Following Dick’s SG’s Offer
Moody’s Ratings placed all Foot Locker, Inc.’s debt ratings on review with direction uncertain following the announcement that Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Foot Locker for an enterprise value of approximately $2.5 billion.

EXEC: Canadian Tire to Keep Hudson Bay Company Brand Alive; Acquires Assets
CTC quietly announced Thursday, May 15 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to become the home of iconic Canadian brands and other intellectual property of the Hudson’s Bay Company

EXEC: Lowa’s Peter Sachs Talks Retirement, Outdoor Industry Changes
Peter Sachs, the longtime U.S. general manager at Lowa, sat down with SGB Executive to talk about his 29-year career building the German boot maker’s U.S. business, the current state of the outdoor industry, and semi-retirement plans.

EXEC: Asics NA Q1 Gains Led by Perf Run and SportStyle as Global Asics Growth Rocks
The growth across the North America run specialty trade channel in Q1 was said to be due to the “significant demand” for the Novablast family of products, along with strong sales of two key legend models: the Gel-Cumulus and Gel-Nimbus.

Culture Kings Parent A.K.A. Brands Posts 14 Percent U.S. Sales Growth in Q1
The company’s portfolio of brands that includes Culture Kings, Princess Polly, Petal and Pup, and MNML looks to reach at least $600 million in sales in 2025.

EXEC: Boot Barn CEO Expects Little China Tariff Impact on Exclusive Goods
The company will only have 5 percent on order from China in the second half of the year, with China exclusive brand product ~$2.3 million of “tariffable product” for the remainder of fiscal 2026.

Birkenstock Posts Strong Fiscal Q2 with Strong DD Gains in Both Sales and Profit
Revenue growth was said to be supported by double-digit unit growth and mid-single digit growth in ASPs. Closed-toe shoes reportedly continued to out-pace the strong double digit growth of sandals, contributing to the higher ASP.

Puma Appoints Dominique Gathier as VP Teamsport Business
Dominique Gathier replaces Matthias Bäumer, who took on the role of Puma’s chief commercial officer earlier this year. Gathier reports to Maria Valdes, Puma’s chief product officer, effective May 15.

Dick’s SG Expects to Post 4.5 Percent Comp Sales Growth in Q1
The 4.5 percent comparable sales growth expected for the fiscal 2025 first quarter comes on top of a 5.3 percent increase in the prior-year Q1 period.

Foot Locker, Inc. Swings to Q1 Loss as Global Comps Fall 2.6 Percent
Despite making ongoing progress with the company’s Lace Up Plan, preliminary first quarter results were said to be below expectations as the athletic footwear retailer experienced softer traffic trends globally.

EXEC: Dick’s SG and Foot Locker Confirm $2.4 Billion Merger Deal
After seeing the global ambitions grow for JD Sports and Sports Direct, now comes the colonists, with Dick’s Sporting Goods fighting the good fight to protect the motherland from the ambitions of the crown while offering a new global vision for the Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker brands.

EXEC: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. Makes Bid to Acquire Foot Locker, Inc.
The ywo side confirmed the merger deal the morning of May 15 with a total estimated acquisition price of $2.4 billion.