SGB Update Apparel

Ross Stores Opens 51 New Stores in September and October

The company opened 43 Ross Dress for Less and eight DD’s Discounts stores across 22 states in September and October, completing the company’s store growth plans for fiscal 2023, adding 97 new locations.

Iconix Brand Founder Neil Cole Gets 18-Month Prison Term

Neil Cole, the founder and former CEO of Iconix Brand Group, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, after his second trial in a criminal case. Last November, Cole was convicted of securities fraud and other charges for misleading investors about the company’s earnings. 

Pure Hockey to Open Two Stores In Ohio

Pure Hockey announced plans to open two stores in Ohio in mid-October in Columbus and Mayfield Heights. The openings mark the retailer’s entrance into Ohio.

NRF: Import Volumes Slowing Heading Into Holiday Selling

Import cargo volume at the major container ports in the U.S. has hit its expected peak for the year and should gradually slow moving into the holiday season, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation(NRF) and Hackett Associates. Ports have not reported September numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 1.94 million TEU, down 4.3 percent year-over-year. October is also forecasted at 1.94 million TEU, down 3.1 percent year-over-year.

Industry Analyst Joins Edelman Smithfield

Edelman Smithfield, a financial communications firm, announced that Kimberly Greenberger, a veteran Wall Street analyst covering the apparel and footwear space, has joined the firm as a senior advisor.

REI Opens Distribution Center In Tennessee

REI Co-op started fulfillment from its new state-of-the-art distribution center in Lebanon, TN, supporting its steady growth in the Midwest and Southeast.

GroupeStahl Names Chief Revenue Officer

GroupeSTAHL, the heat printing technology company, promoted Josh Ellsworth to the position of chief revenue officer. He has worked for the company since 1999.

OIA Elects New Board Members

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) members elected four new and three incumbent members to its Board. New members include Diana Seung, Troy Sicotte, Jahmicah Dawes, and Keith Carrato. Three returning members include Jennifer McLaren, Kevin Winkel and Alison Hill.

RIA’s Runchella Rebrands to The RIA Summit

The Running Industry Association (RIA) announced it rebranded its annual member event to The RIA Summit, to take place from April 29 to May 2, 2024, at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, MO.

Hyosung Textiles Adds to Global Marketing Team

The company hired outdoor industry professional Laura Nilo as its U.S. marketing manager, West Coast, and marketing strategist Christiane Rauch as a senior consultant in Northern Europe for Hyosung Spandex.

Nordstrom Appoints Chief Human Resources Officer

Nordstrom, Inc. hired Lisa Price as chief human resources officer, effective November 6. She joins the retailer from Domino’s Pizza, where she has been executive vice president and chief human resources officer since 2019.