SGB Update Apparel
Canada’s Holt Renfrew Department Store CEO Steps Down
Holt Renfrew, the Canadian luxury department store chain, reported Sebastian Picardo plans to step down as president and CEO, effective Sept. 30, 2025. He has served in the role since 2020.
Nordstrom to Close Two Stores
The retailer plans to close its Santa Monica, CA store at Santa Monica Place and its St. Louis, MO location at Saint Louis Galleria in late August of this year.
Nike Virtual Studios Vice President Exits
Ron Faris, who served as vice president and general manager of Nike Virtual Studios, has joined Disney Consumer Products as VP of global marketing.
Report: Back-to-School Spending to Surge 17 Percent, Shopping Starts Earlier
JLL’s 2025 Back-to-School survey of 1,010 parents found a 17.3 percent increase in planned spending this year, with respondents shifting toward in-store shopping while adopting earlier purchasing patterns and becoming more sensitive to higher prices.
Cotopaxi Opens Pop-Up in Georgetown
The pop-up shop in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown neighborhood, at 1057 Wisconsin Avenue, represents the company’s second pop-up and third on the East Coast.
Remark Closes on $16 Million Series A Funding Round
The round was led by Inspired Capital, with participation from Stripe, Neo, Spero Ventures, Shine Capital, and Visible Ventures, bringing the company’s total funding to $27 million. Remark describes itself as an AI company making online shopping more human.
Foreign Rider Opens Flagship Store in Salt Lake City
The store also serves as a gallery, allowing customers to “touch and feel each fabric, to see where the product fits into travel, daily performance and recovery,” the company stated in a media release.
Champs Sports Reopens Tampa and Portland Stores with “Reimagined” Concept
The Tampa and Portland stores are located in “dynamic markets, making them ideal locations to unveil a new store experience that reflects our brand ethos. —Tony Aversa, senior vice president and general manager of Champs Sports
Altri Acquires Majority Stake in Fiber Specialist AeoniQ
Portuguese fiber producer Altri SGPS S.A. has agreed to acquire a majority interest in Swiss clean technology company AeoniQ to support the commercial-scale development of a biodegradable cellulose-based filament designed to replace polyester and nylon.
StockX Names Senior Director of Customer Community and Engagement
Brendan Dunne will oversee editorial content and deepen the company’s connection with its audience of primarily Millennials, Gen Z, and increasingly, Generation Alpha. Previously, Dunne worked at Complex, overseeing editorial strategy, partnerships and content.
Cascale Appoints Former Nike Senior Exec as Interim CEO
Harsh Saini, who currently serves on Cascale’s Board of Directors, will lead the non-profit in advancing its key 2025 strategic priorities while it continues its global search for a permanent CEO.
Perfect Moment Raises $3M in Stock Sale
The London-based skiwear and activewear company reported that it sold 10 million shares for $0.30 a share. In addition, the company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.5 million shares to cover over-allotments
Report: Back-to-School Expected to Benefit from ‘Resilient’ Consumer
Placer.ai reported that overall U.S. retail traffic in early 2025 shows modest growth so far this year, boding well for the upcoming back-to-school season. Traditional back-to-school categories, such as sportswear and footwear, are expected to remain strong.
Auburn University Moves on from Under Armour; Inks 10-Year Nike Deal
Nike signed a 10-year deal to become the official outfitter of Auburn University’s athletic teams, beginning July 2025. Nike replaces Under Armour, which had supplied Auburn’s athletic teams since 2006.
Lululemon Sues Costco Over Alleged Copycat Yoga Pants
The brand is seeking a court order to prevent Costco from manufacturing, importing, advertising, and selling the alleged LULU counterfeit products. It also wants Costco to pull all ads that promote the products and is asking for compensation for lost profits.
