Two More Elite Runners Sue Puma Over Allegedly Defective Carbon Running Shoes
EXEC: Keds, Topo Athletic, and Jessica Drive Brand Portfolio at DBI; DSW Comes in Flat
EXEC: Academy Returns to Positive Comps, Sees Gas Prices Restraining FY Spend
EXEC: LULU Shares Hit by Downgrades, Price Target Cuts After Bleak Outlook
EXEC: Authentic Solidifies Position as No. 2 Global Licensor as Company Heads Toward IPO
SGB Update
Imports Expected to Climb in June Ahead of Higher Tariffs and Fuel Prices
Import volumes at major U.S. container ports are expected to see a skewed year-over-year bump again this month in anticipation of more tariffs and rising fuel prices but then remain below last year’s levels into the fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Bridgestone Golf to Shutter Georgia Ball Plant, Citing Supply Chain Challenges
Bridgestone Golf announced that it will be shutting down its ball manufacturing and testing facility in Covington, GA, effective June 30. The closure will affect 86 jobs.
North Dakota’s First Choice Apparel and Embroidery Closing
First Choice Apparel and Embroidery, based in Fargo, ND since 1995, is closing as its founders Carla and Ron Sorvaag are retiring.
Golftec Marketing Exec Joins Youth on Course
Youth on Course, a non-profit designed to introduce golf to youth, appointed Chris Kuebrich, formerly Golftec’s SVP of marketing, as its senior director of marketing.
Mitchell & Ness Opens Flagship Store in Philadelphia
Mitchell & Ness, the throwback jersey brand owned by Fanatics, has opened a three-story flagship store in its hometown of Philadelphia. The 16,400-square-foot space features over 2,200 square feet of jerseys, including authentic, swingman and legacy styles, as well as 120 headwear styles.
SGB Executive
Two More Elite Runners Sue Puma Over Allegedly Defective Carbon Running Shoes
A month after U.S. track star Abby Steiner sued Puma over career-ending injuries allegedly tied to its carbon-plated shoes, two more elite sprinters, U.S. world champion sprinter Champion Allison and Jamaican Olympian Damion Thomas, filed lawsuits with similar allegations.
EXEC: Keds, Topo Athletic, and Jessica Drive Brand Portfolio at DBI; DSW Comes in Flat
A double-digit increase in the Brand Portfolio segment was driven by 30+ percent growth from Topo Athletic, Keds and Jessica Simpson. DSW saw softness in the Casual and Athletic categories as consumers shifted back towards Fashion and occasion-based products following several years of elevated demand in Casual and Athletic.
EXEC: Academy Returns to Positive Comps, Sees Gas Prices Restraining FY Spend
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. slightly raised its FY outlook after reporting its first same-store gain in three quarters on strength in shooting and fishing categories, but CEO Steve Lawrence still cautioned that elevated gas prices will weigh on consumer spending for the year. Lawrence told analysts on a call, “Gas prices definitely are a headwind for the American consumer.”
EXEC: Footwear Executive Survey Shows Business Optimism Slipping
The 14th Edition of the World Footwear Business Conditions Survey found footwear executives were generally upbeat about business prospects but slightly less so than the prior survey taken last fall. Geographically, respondents in Europe are substantially less optimistic than those in other continents amid the U.S.-Iran conflict, but generally positive opinions prevail everywhere.
EXEC: UK Activewear Brand Oner Active to Open NYC Store
The Oner Active store in Manhattan’s Noho neighborhood is expected to open this winter. It’s close to Gymshark’s recently opened flagship on Bond Street.
