SGB Update Footwear
BDA Promotes Former Nordstrom Exec to Divisional VP of Program Management
Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, LLC (BDA) is the largest, independently owned branded merchandise agency with operations in over 50 locations worldwide. With a proven record of building large e-commerce solutions, Lisa Battistoni’s expertise will drive innovation and optimize BDA’s digital offerings.
Duluth Trading Welcomes Stephanie Pugliese Back as President and CEO
Pugliese replaces outgoing CEO Sam Soto, who announced last week he was leaving the business. She first joined Duluth Trading in November 2008 as VP of product and merchandising, and was promoted continuosly until assuming the CEO role in 2015, a role she served in until 2019.
NRF: Consumer Spending Not Unraveling; Retail Sales Growth to Continue in 2025
The association’s 2025 sales forecast compares with 3.6 percent annual sales growth to $5.29 trillion dollars in 2024. This year’s forecast also aligns with the 10-year pre-pandemic average annual sales growth of 3.6 percent.
Macy’s Advances “Bold New Chapter”; Appoints New Finance Head
Capri Holdings’ finance and operations head, Thomas J. Edwards, will become chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Macy’s, Inc., effective June 22.
Marathon Sports Acquires Fleet Feet Maine Running
Fleet Feet Maine Running, the two-store specialty store based out of Portland, ME, has concluded the sale of its specialty running business to Marathon Sports, a 26 location New England running specialty store brand based in Boston.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Swings to Adjusted Net Profit in Q4 on Flattish Comp Sales
On a comparable 13-week basis, fourth-quarter net sales decreased 0.9 percent compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Same-store sales declined 0.5 percent year-over-year on a 13-week comparable basis.
Birkenstock Opens Tenth U.S. Retail Store in Nashville, TN
Birkenstock Nashville, located at 2212 12th Avenue South, hosted an opening event on March 27. Birkenstock created a campaign that spotlights the locals who shape the city’s culture and long-time Birkenstock wearers, captured by photographer Cristina Fisher.
FDRA: Most Footwear Execs Surveyed See Weakening Business Ahead
The Q1 survey conducted among footwear execs reportedly shows a significant decline in industry confidence, with 87 percent of respondents expecting a weaker economy over the next six months – the most pessimistic outlook in the survey’s history.
Report: Taking a Global Pulse on Shopping with a Sustainable Mindset
To better understand the consumer perspective, Blue Yonder’s fourth annual Consumer Sustainability Survey surveyed more than 5,000 consumers across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), France, Germany, U.K., and U.S. on their sustainable shopping opinions and behaviors.
REI Co-op Names New Chief Merchant with Diverse Big Box Background
REI said Kristin Shane brings extensive experience across diverse consumer product and retail businesses, including The Guitar Center, PetSmart and Target.
Foot Locker, Inc. Nails Down New St. Petersburg Global HQ Site
The 110,998-square-foot space at 570 Carillon Parkway, is said to be a Class A office property in the heart of St. Pete.
Rural King Opens New Store in Alabama
Rural King has grown to over 130 stores in fourteen states, providing a broad range of essential goods, food, feed, seed, and other farm and home necessities to communities it serves throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Golden Goose Opens 4th NYC Store in Meatpacking District
Located at 812 Washington Street, a commercial area on the far west side of New York City, features a “Co-Creation Bar” where customers can turn Golden Goose product sold in-store into personalized artwork with hand-painting, embroidery, studs, and patches.
Birkenstock Opens Concept Store in Historic Zhangyuan, Shanghai
The Zhangyuan store showcases the Birkenstock collection and its 1774 product line. The store will debut the brand’s Boro Collection, inspired by the traditional Japanese art of textile mending and created in collaboration with Jesse Leyva.
SBA Implements Made in America Manufacturing Initiative
The new SBA effort will cut $100 billion in regulation, expand access to capital and create dedicated infrastructure to support blue-collar boom.
