SGB Update Footwear
Gazelle Sports Opens Seventh Store
Gazelle Sports, based in Grand Rapids, MI, opened its seventh store in Grandville, MI. The 2,300-square-foot store is located at 4499 Ivanrest Avenue, SW.

Puma’s Q1 Sales Dip In Americas Region On Inventory Overhang
Puma SE reported Q1 sales in the Americas region declined 0.8 percent on a currency-neutral basis as wholesale revenues declined, particularly in off-price channels, due to elevated inventories in the marketplace. Overall earnings were down slightly as margin and cost pressures offset a 14 percent gain in sales.

Report: U.S. Footwear Sales Slip In Q1 But Performance Footwear Gains
U.S. footwear industry sales revenue was down 3 percent in the first quarter year-over-year to $9.0 billion, according to point-of-sale data published by Circana, formerly The NPD Group. Gains in the performance footwear category, led by basketball, were offset by declines in the leisure and fashion categories.
JD Sports Appoints Two New Board Directors
JD Sports Fashion Plc, the parent company of JD, Finish Line, DTLR, and Shoe Palace, appointed Angela Luger and Darren Shapland as non-executive directors, effective June 1. Lauger joins JD Sports Remuneration Committee and Shapland its Audit and Risk Committee also effective June 1.
Dick’s SG Completes Redemption Of Convertible Notes
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. said in a regulatory filing it completed the conversion and redemption of its outstanding 3.25 convertible senior notes due 2025 and expected to reduce its annual interest payments by approximately $1.9 million.
Academy Sports + Outdoors To Open First Store In Peoria, IL
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported it will open its first location in Peoria, IL, this summer; this is the second location in Illinois, set to open in Grand Prairie Plaza. The floor space covers over 60,000 square feet.

FitFlop Opens First U.S. Store
FitFlop, the ergonomic and wellness footwear brand, announced it opened its first U.S. store in the SoHo neighborhood in New York City.
Lululemon Promotes Two To EVP Positions
Lululemon promoted two members of its senior leadership team to EVP positions. Susan Gelinas was named chief people and culture officer, and Shannon Higginson was appointed chief legal and compliance officer.
Nordstrom’s Debt Ratings Outlook Lowered
Moody’s Investors Service changed Nordstrom, Inc.’s debt ratings outlook from stable to negative, reflecting Nordstrom’s continued operating challenges, particularly in its off-price Nordstrom Rack chain.
Allbirds Expands And Extends Credit Line
Allbirds, in a regulatory filing, reported entering into an amendment agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., that increases borrowings available under its credit line and extends the maturity date from February 20, 2024 to April 17, 2026.
Li Ning Sees Franchise Stores And E-Commerce Drag On Q1 Retail Business Growth
Li Ning Company Limited reported retail sell-through at Li-Ning stores for the first quarter that ended March 31, excluding Li-Ning Young, increased in the mid-single-digits on a year-over-year basis.
JCPenney Appoints Chief Customer Officer
JCPenney hired Katie Mullen as chief customer officer. Mullen previously was JCPenney’s chief digital officer and will continue overseeing e-commerce strategy and omnichannel development driving digital, data and analytics.

Norrøna Acquires Canvas Hotel Telemark
Norrøna reported it acquired the Canvas Hotel Telemark, a wilderness lodge, including luxury yurts, for mountain bikers, with over 100 kilometers of slick rock trails connected by singletrack.

Kohl’s Debt Ratings Downgraded By Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Kohl’s Corp. due to the continued deterioration in credit metrics and the erosion of the retailer’s market position as it enacts a turnaround to its operating performance in 2023.
Farfetch Hires Chief Marketing Officer
Farfetch, the luxury fashion platform, hired Nick Tran as chief marketing officer. Most recently, Tran was the global head of marketing at TikTok.