SGB Update Footwear
Skechers Donates More than $10 Million to Support Dogs and Cats in Need
Over the past eight years, Bobs from Skechers has grown into a year-round movement with round-up donations, vaccination events, check celebrations for organizations, and animal transports to future homes.
Midwest Mountaineering to Close After 53-Year Run
The Minneapolis store reported losing money every month in 2023 through July and with declining sales for the last seven years except when outdoor gear sales saw a brief surge at the height of the pandemic.
Sycamore Partners Rolls Up Top Women’s Brands into New Holding Company
The private equity company specializing in consumer, distribution and retail-related investments, formed the KnitWell Group, a holding company comprised o apparel brands, including Ann Taylor, Loft and Talbots.
L.L.Bean Adds Academy Sports + Outdoors as Wholesale Key Account
Academy Sports will carry a wide assortment of L.L.Bean’s products, including polos, backpacks, men’s and women’s apparel, and the iconic Bean Boots.
August U.S. Consumer Confidence Index Decline is Highest in Two Years
U.S. consumer confidence fell the most in two years as pessimism on the labor market, higher borrowing costs and stubborn inflation curbed optimism. The Conference Board continues to expect a recession before the year’s end.
Express, Inc. Names Atwood Footwear Creative Director
Express, Inc. hired Brian Atwood as creative director of footwear, overseeing women’s and statement men’s footwear.
MC Sports’ Mort Finkelstein Passes Away
Mort Finkelstein, the co-founder of the MC Sports chain, passed away on August 17. He was 93.
Active Brands Group Hires E-Commerce Manager
Sweden-based ABG hired Rohan Callander as e-commerce manager responsible on expanding the DTC business for its portfolio of brands.
DSW Parent Company President to Depart
Designer Brands, Inc. said in a regulatory filing that William Jordan, president of the company and president of Camuto LLC, is stepping down from his positions with the company on or before December 1, 2023.
Wolverine’s Debt Ratings Lowered by Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the debt ratings of Wolverine World Wide, Inc., reflecting the company’s significant earnings decline in Q2 2023 and Moody’s expectations for continued weak near-term performance. S&P Global Ratings similarly recently reduced its rating.
Shoe Carnival Reduces Outlook on Weakness in Urban Markets
Shoe Carnival, Inc. slightly lowered its outlook for the year as second-quarter earnings and sales missed analysts’ estimates. The family footwear chain said that while overall conditions improved from earlier in 2023, soft traffic results continued within lower-income households and urban markets to lead to a 6.5 percent same-store decline in the quarter.
Report Forecasts Flattish Online Growth in U.S. for Holiday 2023
Salesforce’s 2023 Holiday Forecast calls for 4 percent global and 1 percent U.S. year-over-year online sales growth across November and December, reaching $1.19 trillion and $273 billion, respectively.
OrthoLite Bolsters Sales Team in China
OrthoLite added to its sales management team in China, appointing Chuck Yu as director of sales strategy and John Liu as sales manager.
Golf Rounds Played Climb in July
Rounds of golf played advanced 3.2 percent in July and are running up 5.0 percent for the first seven months of 2023, according to Golf Datatech.
Authentic Reaches Deal for Hunter Boots IP in China
Authentic reached an agreement for Baozun, Inc. to acquire the intellectual property rights to Hunter boots for distribution in China and Southeast Asia.
