SGB Update Footwear
Vans Names Global Chief Marketing Officer
Vans announced that Drieke Leenknegt had joined the company as global chief marketing officer, effective July 5. Leenknegt joins Vans from its sister brand, Timberland, where she served as its global chief marketing officer.
Reima North America Hires Wholesale Experience Manager
Reima North America hired Kelly Buck as the company’s wholesale experience manager. Reima said this strategic addition to the team is a testament to its commitment to delivering excellent service and expertise to its valued wholesale customers.
Golf Rounds Played Surge In May
Rounds of golf played in May jumped by 10.0 percent on a national level year-over-year and are now running up 5.5 percent for the first five months of 2023, according to Golf Datatech.
SportsShoes.com’s Q1 Sales Climb 20 Percent
U.K.-based SportsShoes.com reported revenues increased 20 percent in the first quarter ended May 31 to £83.8 million ($107 mm).
Report: Asics Cutting Ties with Smaller U.K. Specialty Retailers
Independent sports retailers in the U.K. are reportedly reeling from a move Asics Corp. is making to narrow its distribution in the region. In a recent article published by The Guardian, Asics was said to be “cutting off supply to hundreds of small U.K. outlets…”
Columbia Sportswear Sues Softstar Shoes Over Use Of Omniflex Name
Columbia Sportswear filed a federal lawsuit alleging trademark infringement against Softstar Shoes, the minimalist footwear brand based in Philomath, OR, over its use of the Omniflex name.
OrthoLite Names General Manager Of India
OrthoLite hired Vikash Bajargyan as the general manager of OrthoLite India to include leading manufacturing and business development, establishing and managing relationships with brands and Tier 1 factory partners.
Mike Ashley Returns To Frasers Group As Consultant
Mike Ashley has reportedly returned to his founding company Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, as a consultant. Ashley, who owns 69 percent of the company, stepped down from the top position last year, later appointing his son-in-law Michael Murray as CEO.
U.S. Supreme Court Won’t Hear Nike, Adidas Patent Dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sidestepped Nike, Inc.’s appeal in a long-running sneaker design dispute with Adidas AG, declining to consider whether a tribunal can nix a patent based on grounds not raised by the parties. The justices passed over Nike’s claims that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board wrongly stripped it of a patent covering shoelace holes in knitted sneakers.
ICSC Survey: Gen Z Are Career-Driven, Credit-Averse And Tempted By Immersive Retail
ICSC’s latest study, “The Rise of the Gen Z Consumer,” shows a generation keenly aware of the state of the U.S. economy as the demographic’s spending power grows and balances being cost-conscious with the willingness to pay for convenience and quality.
Skechers Files Trademark Lawsuit Against Steve Madden
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. filed a trademark lawsuit in Los Angeles Federal Court against Steve Madden, charging that the brand’s “Kennie” line of sneakers that features an “S” design in the logo is too similar to the Skechers logo.
LAPD Recovers Up To $7 Million In Stolen Nike Sneakers
The Los Angeles Police Department seized millions of dollars worth of stolen merchandise believed to be Nike sneakers during a raid of a warehouse in Torrance, CA.
Former Nike CFO Joins Papa John’s
The former CFO of Nike North America, Ravi Thanawala, was hired by Papa John’s International, Inc. as chief financial officer, effective July 24, 2023.
Genesco Increases Stock Buyback Plan By $50 Million
Genesco, Inc.’s board of directors authorized a $50 million increase to its existing $200 million share repurchase authorization.
Forman Mills To Be Sold To Shoppers World
Forman Mills, the off-price retailer based in Pennsauken Township, NJ, agreed to be purchased by New York-based discount retailer Shoppers World.
