SGB Update Apparel
WH inc. Hires New Creative Director, Two Other Key Creative Hires
WH, Inc. hired Hart Rusen as new creative director with over 20 years of industry experience, Senior Designer Ari Pal, who joins from Vail Resorts, and Production Designer Chase Kunz, who joins from Microsoft.
Foot Locker to Open First Store in Thailand
Foot Locker reported it is ready to open its first retail store in Thailand after transferring its operations in Singapore and Malaysia to MAP Active earlier this year.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Jumps to Highest Level in Two Years
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index hit 117 in July, rising from 110.1 the month before. The index increased for the third consecutive month, bounding even higher after a sharp upswing in June.
OrderMyGear Appoints VP of Revenue Operations
OrderMyGear promoted Adam Gainey to VP of revenue operations. The company said Gainey would play a pivotal role in developing and executing on strategies that improve client acquisition, growth and satisfaction.
Retail and Vendor Business Groups Say Court Erred in China 301 Tariff Case
The NRF, AFAA, FDRA and other business groups urge The U.S. Court of Appeals to reverse judgment and vacate List 3 and List 4A China Section 301 tariffs.
Academy Sports To Open Store in Fredericksburg, VA
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will open its first store in Fredericksburg, VA, in the fall of 2023; this is the retailer’s second store in Virginia. The store’s footprint is over 77,000 square feet.
LVMH to Sponsor 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
Luxury brand giant LVMH signed on as a premium partner for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games with its jeweler Chaumet designing the medals and fashion brands Louis Vuitton, Dior, Berluti and Sephora, as well as its Moët Hennessy wines and spirits division marketed during the games.
Paramount Headwear Rebrands to Imperial
Paramount Apparel International rebranded itself and introduced Imperial as its new corporate name. Paramount acquired the Imperial golf headwear brand in late 2012. This change reflects its commitment to the Imperial flagship brand.
Asics North America Names VP of U.S. Sales
Asics North America hired industry veteran Michael Dougherty as vice president of U.S. sales, effective immediately. He has over 15 years of global footwear industry experience, including at Clarks and New Balance.
Columbia Sportswear Company Hires Director of Strategic Accounts
Columbia Sportswear Company hired long-time Reebok and Adidas sales pro Dave Stellick as director of strategic accounts.
Adidas Outdoor North America GM Departs
Michael Kadous, North America’s senior director and GM for Adidas Outdoor, Terrex and Five Ten since March 2019, exited the brand.
Mountain Khakis Adds New Midwest Sales Agency
Mountain Khakis hired Ben Kiffmeyer and Round Lake Sales as its sales agency covering the Midwest region.
Gap, Inc. Appoints New Athleta CEO
Gap, Inc. hired Chris Blakeslee as president and CEO of Athleta, effective August 7. Most recently, he was president of sister companies Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas since 2017.
Report: Adidas Seeing Healthy Demand for Unsold Yeezy Product
Adidas has orders worth more than €508 million ($565 million) for 4 million pairs of unsold Yeezy shoes, exceeding the company’s “most optimistic forecast,” according to a new Financial Times report. Healthy demand for the first batch of online sales could help Adidas avoid a major write-down on its remaining stock.
Golf Rounds Played Climb in June
Rounds of golf played advanced 5.5 percent in June and are running up the same 5.5 percent for the first six months of 2023, according to Golf Datatech.