EXEC: Anta Reports Fila Retail Sales in China Swings to Growth Mode in Q4
Retail sales for the Fila brand in China reportedly increased in mid-single digits for the 2024 full-year period, while Anta brand sales improved in the high-singles year-over-year and All Other Brands, including Descente and Kolon Sport, saw fourth-quarter retail sales increase in the 40 percent to 45 percent range.
NRF’s Chief Economist Believes 2024 Ended on a High Note
Jack Kleinhenz’s comments came in the January edition of the NRF’s Monthly Economic Review, in which he reported that the 2024 gross domestic product was on track to grow 2.7 percent over 2023, based on results for the first 11 months of the year.
Burton Adds Exec Hires to Drive Brand and Product Categories
The privately-owned snowboard manufacturing company, hired Jennifer Valentine as chief merchandising officer and Debbie Lee as chief marketing officer based in the company’s global headquarters in Burlington, VT.
REI Shuttering Experiences Business, Cutting 428 Positions
The closure of the Experiences business will affect 180 full-time and 248 part-time employees, which are primarily guides serving the business. REI said it will re-invest in the core Camp and Backpack, Run and Hike, and Outside Life businesses.
Tilly’s Inc. Appoints PacSun Veteran to Board of Directors
Michael Relich has over 40 years of experience in retail, with an emphasis on systems and information technology. Most recently, Relich served as the co-CEO of PacSun.
Skechers Sets the Bar Even Higher with Latest Pickleball Shoe Launch
Skechers athletes and top-ranked professional pickleball players Catherine Parenteau and Tyson McGuffin again headline the Viper Court Pro 2.0 launch. Parenteau and McGuffin have competed in Skechers Viper Court Pro shoes since signing with the brand in 2022.
Columbia’s Chief Digital Information Officer Exits
Columbia said it would launch a search for Skip Potter’s replacement. In the interim, EVP and CFO Jim Swanson will oversee the company’s digital technology department.
Report: 2024 Holiday Online Spending Sets New Record; Sporting Goods Up Big
Strong discounts this season also drove consumers to purchase higher-ticket items in categories such as electronics, appliances and sporting goods. The share of units sold for the most expensive goods was up 54 percent in sporting goods.
Dr Martens Creative Director Darren Mckoy Exits Company
The designer’s announcement comes as company sales have declined and it prepares for new leadership. Ije Nwokorie is set to take the CEO role following the exit of former CEO Kenny Wilson, who said he would step down at the end of 2024. Nwokorie was, most recently, Dr. Martens’ chief brand officer.
Boa and 5.11 Parent Compass Diversified Starts Year with Board Shuffle
Gordon M. Burns will not be standing for re-election at the company’s 2025 annual shareholders meeting due to other commitments. Nancy B. Mahon has been appointed chair of the Board’s Nominating Committee, replacing Mr. Burns.
Report: Holiday Retail Return Rate Jumps 28 Percent as U.S. Sales Reach $282B
Salesforce is reporting that the data in its system shows that holiday retail sales surged to a record $1.2 trillion globally and $282 billion in the United States, but high returns could dampen retailer overall profit margins.
EXEC: SGB 2025 Look Ahead with Active Lifestyle Market Leaders
Leaders in the active lifestyle space expressed cautious optimism about 2025 with inflationary pressures easing, supply chains largely normalized and generally healthy interest in sports. Insights from Academy Sports, Brooks Running, Rawlings, Fleet Feet, Selkirk Sport and others.
Macy’s, Inc. Appoints New Member to Board of Directors
Robert Chavez has spent over 45 years working in the retail industry. Most recently he served for 24 years as President and CEO of Hermès Americas, a division of Hermès International Société, overseeing operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
EXEC: SGB 2025 Look Ahead with Trade Association Leaders
Trade associations representing the active lifestyle space shared their concerns with SGB Executive regarding potential tariffs, supply chain disruptions and the likelihood of an unstable economy in 2025. However, they were generally upbeat about the year ahead.
EXEC: SGB 2024 Year in Review Wrap Up
If you are just back from two weeks in Fiji, never fear as SGB Media has you covered on the people, brands and issues that made 2024 a year to forget for many retailers and brands in the active lifestyle space.
