SGB Update Footwear
FDRA: Back-to-School Shoe Shoppers Prioritizing Deals
The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) released its 2023 Back-to-School Shoe Sales Forecast, outlining that parents seek in-store deals and prioritize price.
Report: Tennis Apparel and Footwear Sales Growing at Double-Digit Pace
In the U.S., sales revenue for tennis apparel increased by 15 percent in the 12 months ended June 2023 and is up 38 percent versus three years ago, according to Circana. Tennis shoe sales grew by 21 percent versus the prior year and increased 37 percent compared to three years ago.
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Appoints Senior Program Director
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations that collectively represents the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy, hired Ambreen Tariq as senior program director.
Deckers Brands Lifts Outlook on Hoka and DTC Momentum
Deckers Brands raised its outlook for the year after reporting results for the fiscal first quarter ended June 30 that surpassed analyst targets. Direct-to-consumer growth net sales increased 35.3 percent to offset a slight wholesale decline. Among major brands, sales of Hoka’s jumped 27.4 percent while Ugg’s sales decreased 6.0 percent.
Skechers Raises EPS Guidance as Q2 Tops Expectations
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. raised its outlook for earnings for the year as second-quarter doubled expectations. Sales in the second quarter climbed 7.7 percent as robust growth in its direct-to-consumer globally and international wholesale growth offset declining wholesale revenues in the Americas region.
L.L. Bean to Open Two Stores in Quebec
L.L. Bean reported it will open its first two Quebec stores in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville and Boisbriand. The outdoor retailer will also launch a French version of its website in Canada.
Crocs, Inc. Passes Billion Dollar Revenue Line in Q2 with DTC Up 26 Percent
Crocs, Inc. reported that revenues passed the billion-dollar mark in the second quarter to $1.07 billion, an increase of 11.2 percent from the same period last year, or 12.0 percent on a constant-currency basis.
Vista Outdoor’s Earnings Decline on 14 Percent Revenue Slide
Vista Outdoor, Inc. reported earnings declined 54 percent in the fiscal first quarter ended June 25. Sales dropped 14 percent with sales down 26 percent in the Sporting Products segment while gaining 8 percent in the Outdoor Products segment. The company said results were in line with expectations and reiterated its guidance for the year.
WH inc. Hires New Creative Director, Two Other Key Creative Hires
WH, Inc. hired Hart Rusen as new creative director with over 20 years of industry experience, Senior Designer Ari Pal, who joins from Vail Resorts, and Production Designer Chase Kunz, who joins from Microsoft.
Rockport’s Sale To Authentic Secures Court Approval
Authentic Brands Group reported that The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the sale transaction of Rockport. Authentic also signed a long-term licensing agreement for Rockport with Marc Fisher Footwear.
Foot Locker to Open First Store in Thailand
Foot Locker reported it is ready to open its first retail store in Thailand after transferring its operations in Singapore and Malaysia to MAP Active earlier this year.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Jumps to Highest Level in Two Years
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index hit 117 in July, rising from 110.1 the month before. The index increased for the third consecutive month, bounding even higher after a sharp upswing in June.
Xero Shoes Taps 20-Year Footwear Vet as Chief Product Officer
Xero Shoes hire Michael Pao as chief product officer, effective immediately. Pao’s hire comes as Dennis Driscoll, Xero Shoes’ chief product officer, retires after a nearly 50-year career in the footwear industry.
RG Barry Hires Director of Merchandising for Dearfoams
RG Barry, the parent company of the Dearfoams and Baggalini brands, tapped long-time footwear industry vet Bradley George as director of merchandising for the Dearfoams brand.
Retail and Vendor Business Groups Say Court Erred in China 301 Tariff Case
The NRF, AFAA, FDRA and other business groups urge The U.S. Court of Appeals to reverse judgment and vacate List 3 and List 4A China Section 301 tariffs.
