EXEC: Bata Group Names Former Ecco CEO to Succeed Outgoing CEO Sandeep Kataria
Bata Group, the Swiss-based multinational footwear manufacturer and retailer, has appointed Panos Mytaros, formerly the CEO of Ecco, as its global CEO, effective September 15, 2025. He will succeed current CEO Sandeep Kataria as part of its succession plan.
Adidas Names New Managing Director of Adidas Korea
Marcus Morent began his career at Adidas in 2005 in the retail finance institutional sector for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region. He later led the retail and e-commerce businesses at Adidas Korea from 2014 to 2019, serving as VP of Latin America, DTC, and, most recently, as CEO of Adidas Colombia.
PickleRage Accelerates Nationwide Growth; Signs Five New Franchise Partners
The new franchise deals will lead expansion in key territories across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, and Nevada, continuing the company’s expansion into both emerging and established markets.
Lowa Boots Names Trail Run Global Manager
Reinforcing Lowa’s broader commitment to the international growing trail segment, Samuel Grill was appointed as global category manager based at company headquarters in Jetzendorf, Germany.
Report: JPMorgan Raises $6.5 Billion to Fund Sale of Skechers
JP Morgan Chase & Co. plans to launch a $6.5 billion debt offering to support private equity firm 3G Capital’s acquisition of Skechers as soon as this week, sources told Bloomberg.
OrthoLite Subsidiary Cirql Expands European Presence Through Frasson Partnership
Under the agreement, Frasson is now Cirql’s certified official partner in the EU for the development and production of technical shoe components. Frasson will serve as a key supplier and approved EU development partner, manufacturer and OEM for Cirql, a subsidiary of OrthoLite, sub midsoles and outsoles.
Kicks Crew Secures Investment from Dwyane Wade and D’Angelo Russell
The partnership comes as Wade showcased Russell’s debut signature sneaker, the DL, last month, marking the first athletic-specific shoe under his “Way of Wade” brand umbrella. The two will also serve as ambassador athletes for the platform.
Under Armour to Offer $400 Million in Senior Notes
Proceeds will be used to help redeem, repurchase, repay, or otherwise retire all $600 million in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 3.25 percent senior notes due 2026.
JD Sports Lands on the Vegas Strip with New Flagship Store
The opening of a new flagship on Las Vegas Boulevard is said to mark JD’s third in the U.S. and its continued “connection to global youth culture in the most influential cities across the U.S.” As of 3 May 2025, there were 339 JD stores across North America (including Canada).
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Jumps as Inflation Expectations Improve
Consumer sentiment increased in June for the first time in six months, the latest sign that Americans’ views of the economy have improved as inflation has stayed tame and tariff concerns lessen.
Survey: Retailers Passing Along 51 Percent of Tariff Costs
A survey of 500 U.S. e-commerce executives found that 76 percent had increased the price of goods to mitigate the cost of the new and expected tariffs. On average, retailers are passing along 51 percent of the cost of President Trump’s import taxes on to consumers.
Strava Nets $2.2 Billion Valuation in Funding Round
The funding follows the acquisitions earlier this year of AI-driven training apps Runna and The Breakaway, as well as the continued growth of the platform, which now has over 150 million reported global users.
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Notes Robust Sporting Goods Sector Continued into May
Growth in the Clothing, Footwear and Accessories store sector decelerated from the April trend. The category that includes Sporting Goods stores was up 8.2 percent y/y unadjusted in May after a robust 9.2 percent y/y gain in March.
PlayMetrics Merges with Stack Sports
Michael Doernberg, CEO of PlayMetrics, will lead the combined organization as CEO, and Jeff Young, CEO of Stack Sports, will transition to a strategic role as advisor to the board of directors.
Roots Sees Sales Climb 6 Percent in Q1
The Toronto-based retailer slightly narrowed its loss in the first quarter ended May 3 as sales grew 6.7 percent, marking the third consecutive quarter of growth. Founded in 1973, the retailer is known for its apparel, leather goods, footwear, and home furnishings.
