SGB Update Apparel

Ken Hicks Takes the Reins at PetSmart LLC

The former Foot Locker, Inc., Academy Sports + Outdoor, Inc. and JC Penney Chief Executive has been named President and CEO, effective October 31. Hicks will also serve on the company’s Board of Directors.

NRF Expects 2024 Holiday Spending to Reach New Record

Consumer spending on the winter holidays is expected to reach a record $902 per person on average across gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal items, according to the NRF’s latest consumer survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Nordstrom to Open Two New Rack Stores in Florida

Nordstrom plans to will open two new Nordstrom Rack stores in Melbourne (24,000 square feet) and Sarasota (27,000 square feet) Florida, in fall 2025 and spring 2026, respectively.

Nike Ordered to Pay Legal Fees in Trademark Dispute

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has ordered Nike to pay millions in attorney’s fees to Lontex Corporation for its “reckless infringement” of the small Pennsylvania businesses “Cool Compression” trademark.

Topgolf Breaks Ground on New Venue in New Braunfels, TX

The new venue will be in the 400-plus-acre mixed-use development of New Braunfels Town Center at Creekside, a master-planned community, with an opening date in late 2025. This will be the 14th venue in Texas for Topgolf.

Ross Stores Opens 47 Locations

Ross Stores Inc. recently opened 43 Ross Dress for Less and four dd’s Discounts stores across 22 states in September and October. These new locations complete the company’s store growth plans for fiscal 2024, with the addition of 89 new locations throughout the year.

REI Co-op Plans Lower Volume of Store Openings for 2025

REI Co-op plans to open six locations in 2025, with three new stores in California, as well as Amherst, NY; Durango, CO; and Lynnwood, WA. The openings mark a moderation in new store growth from the 10 stores scheduled to open in 2024.