SGB Update Footwear
Report: U.S. Footwear Sales Slip in Q2 Despite Performance Footwear Growth
U.S. footwear industry sales revenue was down 5 percent in the second quarter to $10.3 billion, versus Q2 2022, according to Circana. Declines in leisure and fashion categories were offset by gains in performance footwear.
Academy Sports To Open Store in Fredericksburg, VA
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will open its first store in Fredericksburg, VA, in the fall of 2023; this is the retailer’s second store in Virginia. The store’s footprint is over 77,000 square feet.
LVMH to Sponsor 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
Luxury brand giant LVMH signed on as a premium partner for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games with its jeweler Chaumet designing the medals and fashion brands Louis Vuitton, Dior, Berluti and Sephora, as well as its Moët Hennessy wines and spirits division marketed during the games.
Asics North America Names VP of U.S. Sales
Asics North America hired industry veteran Michael Dougherty as vice president of U.S. sales, effective immediately. He has over 15 years of global footwear industry experience, including at Clarks and New Balance.
Columbia Sportswear Company Hires Director of Strategic Accounts
Columbia Sportswear Company hired long-time Reebok and Adidas sales pro Dave Stellick as director of strategic accounts.
Adidas Outdoor North America GM Departs
Michael Kadous, North America’s senior director and GM for Adidas Outdoor, Terrex and Five Ten since March 2019, exited the brand.
361 Degrees Expands Spain Distribution with VC Sport
361 Degrees International reported it tapped VC Sport as its distributor for the 361º brand in Spain. The company will initially distribute the 361º basketball shoes this summer and expand the range to include running and lifestyle categories in 2024.
Report: Adidas Seeing Healthy Demand for Unsold Yeezy Product
Adidas has orders worth more than €508 million ($565 million) for 4 million pairs of unsold Yeezy shoes, exceeding the company’s “most optimistic forecast,” according to a new Financial Times report. Healthy demand for the first batch of online sales could help Adidas avoid a major write-down on its remaining stock.
Golf Rounds Played Climb in June
Rounds of golf played advanced 5.5 percent in June and are running up the same 5.5 percent for the first six months of 2023, according to Golf Datatech.
Report: Adidas Accuses Kanye West of Mishandling $75 Million of Marketing Funds
Adidas is seeking to recover $75 million from Ye, formerly Kanye West, related to his alleged mishandling of marketing funds worth $100 million annually, according to Bloomberg. The dispute is in arbitration.
Canada’s Port Workers Union Recommends Labor Agreement to Members
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) plans to recommend members accept a tentative agreement to end the weeks-long strike at British Columbia’s ports, likely ending a standoff that led to a 13-day strike.
RILA Calls Potential UPS Strike “Kryptonite” for Supply Chains
The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) urged a quick resolution of the stalled contract negotiations between UPS and its 340,000 workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, describing a potential UPS strike as “kryptonite for supply chains.”
Under Armour Opens Fourth Brand House In London
Under Armour opened a Brand House store on Oxford Street, marking its fourth store in London. Zara, the multi-national retail clothing chain, once occupied the space.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Named U.S. Anchor Retail Partner for Lotto
WHP Global, owner of Italian soccer brand Lotto Sports, reported that Dick’s Sporting Goods would serve as the U.S. anchor retail partner for Lotto’s soccer and tennis products.
JCPenney Reopens Corporate Headquarters in Plano
JCPenney announced on July 20 that it reopened its corporate offices at the Campus at Legacy West in Plano, TX, which supports 2,000 employees and features an open working environment.
