SGB Update Apparel
Sycamore Partners Rolls Up Top Women’s Brands into New Holding Company
The private equity company specializing in consumer, distribution and retail-related investments, formed the KnitWell Group, a holding company comprised o apparel brands, including Ann Taylor, Loft and Talbots.
L.L.Bean Adds Academy Sports + Outdoors as Wholesale Key Account
Academy Sports will carry a wide assortment of L.L.Bean’s products, including polos, backpacks, men’s and women’s apparel, and the iconic Bean Boots.
Pure Vida’s Sales Decline 3.6 Percent in Second Quarter
Vera Bradley, Inc. reported sales of Pure Vida declined 3.6 percent year-over-year in the second quarter ended July 30 to $25.1 million, primarily related to a decline in wholesale revenues.
Report: Resale Market To Reach $276 Billion in Five Years
OfferUp’s 2023 Recommerce Report found that 85 percent of shoppers buy and/or sell secondhand goods, an increase of 3 percent from 2022. Furthermore, 27 percent of shoppers ventured into the secondhand market for the first time in the last year.
August U.S. Consumer Confidence Index Decline is Highest in Two Years
U.S. consumer confidence fell the most in two years as pessimism on the labor market, higher borrowing costs and stubborn inflation curbed optimism. The Conference Board continues to expect a recession before the year’s end.
Report: Golf Apparel Has First Monthly Sales Decline in 18 Months at Specialty
Golf Datatech reported that July 2023 retail sales for golf apparel at on- and off-course specialty shops in the U.S. posted their first decline in 18 months, decreasing 3.6 percent versus the year-ago July period.
MC Sports’ Mort Finkelstein Passes Away
Mort Finkelstein, the co-founder of the MC Sports chain, passed away on August 17. He was 93.
Macy’s Partners With Gap on Sleepwear and Intimates Line
Macy’s announced that it is selling an exclusive collection of Gap sleepwear, loungewear, underwear, and intimates, marking the first time the two retailers have partnered.
Mitchell & Ness Names New CEO as Kevin Wulff Retires
Eli Kumekpor has been named the company’s CEO, effective immediately. Kumekpor was most recently global VP and general manager of the Jordan Brand’s men’s business. He succeeds Kevin Wulff, who is retiring on Friday.
Active Brands Group Hires E-Commerce Manager
Sweden-based ABG hired Rohan Callander as e-commerce manager responsible on expanding the DTC business for its portfolio of brands.
Wolverine’s Debt Ratings Lowered by Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the debt ratings of Wolverine World Wide, Inc., reflecting the company’s significant earnings decline in Q2 2023 and Moody’s expectations for continued weak near-term performance. S&P Global Ratings similarly recently reduced its rating.
Ouray Sportswear to Close Colorado Operations Following Sale
Ouray Sportswear is closing its production facility in Englewood, CO, following its sale to Philadelphia-based L2 Brands in January 2023. The closure will affect 154 jobs.
Rally House Continues Growth In New Store Openings
Rally House opened five new stores in five states this past weekend, they follow the seven stores the retailer opened last weekend. It now counts 16 stores opened in August.
Report Forecasts Flattish Online Growth in U.S. for Holiday 2023
Salesforce’s 2023 Holiday Forecast calls for 4 percent global and 1 percent U.S. year-over-year online sales growth across November and December, reaching $1.19 trillion and $273 billion, respectively.
Golf Rounds Played Climb in July
Rounds of golf played advanced 3.2 percent in July and are running up 5.0 percent for the first seven months of 2023, according to Golf Datatech.
