EXEC: Pacsun Posts 10 Percent Growth in 2025 as the Retail Brand Enters International Markets
Report: Early Survey Results from Promo Products Sector May Reflect Broader Industry Expectations for 2026
EXEC: JD Sports Sees North America Comp Positive for Holiday While UK and Europe Fade
Report: Late December Snow Not Enough to Save Holidays at Many Western Mountain Resorts
EXEC: VF Brand Presidents for “Big 3” Brands Talk Transformation
SGB Update
5.11, BOA and Primaloft Parent CODI’s Debt Ratings Downgraded
Moody’s said the downgrade reflects CODI’s “elevated financial leverage based on the restated financials, the uncertainty around the company’s ability to reduce leverage and generate sustained and comfortably positive free cash flow over the next 12 months.
Stio Makes New Hires Across Product, E-Commerce and Planning
The Jackson Hole, WY-based mountain lifestyle brand announced several new hires across product, e-commerce and planning, including Siobhan Phillips, formerly at Sport Obermeyer and Fjällräven, as senior product line manager, apparel.
Kokatat Acquired by The Wing Group
The Wing Group, owner of marine and outdoor brands including Wing Inflatables, Mustang Survival, FabTek, Henshaw, and Patten, acquired Kokatat, the manufacturer of paddle sports apparel and equipment headquartered in Arcata, California.
Salomon Appoints First Creative Director
Salomon has appointed Finnish designer Heikki Salonen as the company’s first creative director. With a career spanning 30 years, Salonen was previously head designer at Diesel before serving as creative director at MM6 Maison Margiela for 12 years.
PrimaLoft Elevates Fawn Knadler to NA Sales Director
PrimaLoft, Inc. has promoted Fawn Knadler to North American Sales Director, timed with the company’s focus on strengthening and expanding its commercial sales efforts in North America.
SGB Executive
EXEC: VF Corp.’s Q3 Benefits From Chilly Weather, Vans’ Turnaround Still Up For Debate
VF Corp. is expected by several analysts to deliver third-quarter earnings in line or potentially ahead of guidance when it reports on Wednesday, January 28,, as cold weather likely helped fuel a strong holiday quarter for The North Face and Timberland. However, skepticism remains high on whether Vans’ recovery is gaining traction.
EXEC: Pacsun Posts 10 Percent Growth in 2025 as the Retail Brand Enters International Markets
Bieane Olson, CEO of Pacsun, in a presentation at the ICR Conference, said the Los Angeles, CA-based retailer’s sales reached $970 million in 2025, expanding by 10 percent in each of the last two years, according to a research note from Needham & Co.
EXEC: Nester Hosiery CEO Talks Fox River Acquisition, Socks Opportunity
Kelly Nester, CEO of Nester Hosiery, spoke with SGB Executive about last year’s acquisition of Fox River Socks; opportunities in private label, licensed properties, and Farm to Feet; and Nester Hosiery’s 33 years in socks innovation.
EXEC: JD Sports Sees North America Comp Positive for Holiday While UK and Europe Fade
The parent of the DTLR, Finish Line, Hibbett, and Shoe Palace banners in the U.S., and the Blacks outdoor banner, among others, in the UK, Europe and Asia, reported comp sales for the nine-week holiday period were down 1.8 percent year-over-year. North America comps were up 1.5 percent.
EXEC: REI’s CEO Discusses “Unique Challenges” Facing the Co-Op
At a session at the NRF Big Show in New York City, Mary Beth Laughton, president of REI, talked about the retailer’s many “unique assets,” citing its co-op structure, outdoor mission and “green vests” in-store associates, but also the “unique challenges” that are behind its “Peak 28: Ascending Together” three-year transformation.
