SGB Update Footwear
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.
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.
