SGB Update Footwear
Famous Footwear’s Q4 Margin Weakness Impacts Parent’s Profits
Caleres Inc. reported earnings on an adjusted basis declined 33 percent in the fourth quarter as margin declines at Famous Footwear offset improvement at its Brand Portfolio segment. Famous Footwear still managed a 0.7 percent comp gain in the quarter and Caleres’ overall inventories were down 2.8 percent year over year.
Castore Sponsors First National Soccer Team
Castore, the UK sportswear brand, signed a multi-year agreement to replace Umbro as the official kit supplier and retail partner of Ireland’s national soccer teams. The six-year deal runs until 2028 and is Castore’s first with a national soccer team.
Puma Opens Running Testing Facility
Puma opened the Puma Nitro Lab, an athlete testing facility developed in partnership with Hartmann Orthopedics & Sports. Based at Hartmann’s facility near Frankfurt, Germany, the lab provides athletes with detailed, full-body insights using tests and scans, including 4D Motion analysis.
Women’s Tennis Association Secures $150M Investment
The Women’s Tennis Association announced that CVC Capital Partners, the global private equity firm, had become a commercial partner after making a $150 million investment that gave CVC a 20 percent stake in a new commercial subsidiary named WTA Ventures.
True Fit Hires Chief Revenue Officer; Names Global CMO From Within
True Fit hired former Snap, Inc. and Bazaarvoice executive Rob Weaver as its chief revenue officer. The fit personalization platform also promoted Sarah Curran, managing director of the EMEA, to global chief marketing officer.
REI To Open In Sarasota This Fall
REI Co-op will open a store in Sarasota this Fall 2023 in the University Town Center, its eighth store in Florida.
Stitch Fix Posts 20 Percent Sales Decline In Fiscal Q2; CFO To Exit
Stitch Fix, Inc. reported a loss of $65.6 million in the fiscal second quarter ended January 28 as sales declined 20 percent.
A.k.a. Brands Sees Q4 Sales Fall 18 Percent; CEO To Take Medical Leave
A.k.a. Brands Holding Corp, the parent of Princess Polly, Culture Kings, mnml and Petal & Pup., reported sales decreased 18.3 percent in the fourth quarter, to $149.1 million, compared to $182.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Currency-neutral sales were down 13 percent.
Report: Shein Exploring IPO
Shein, the Chinese-based online fashion retailer, intends to raise about $2 billion in a new funding round in March and is aiming for a U.S. initial public offering listing in the second half of this year.
Report: U.S. Retail Sales Climb 6.9 Percent In February
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, U.S. retail sales excluding automotive were up 6.9 percent year-over-year (YOY) in February.
NRF Opposes Corporate Tax Rate Increase In Biden Admin Budget
The National Retail Federation has issued the following statement from SVP of Government Relations David French in response to President Biden’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024.
Allbirds Hires New CFO
Allbirds hired Annie Mitchell as CFO, effective April 24. She succeeds Mike Bufano, who is stepping down and will remain with the company through mid-May to ensure a smooth transition.
Yue Yuen Factory Revenue Declines Moderate In February; China Retail Worsens
Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited net consolidated operating revenue for February 2023 came in at $603.8 million, representing a 6.9 percent decline versus the year-ago February period.
The Buckle Delivers Modest Q4 Profit Growth On 4.6 Percent Comp Sales Gain
The Buckle reported earnings improved 4.6 percent in the fourth quarter ended January 28 as sales expanded 5.5 percent.
Allbirds Launches Transformation Plan Following Q4 Shortfall
Allbirds, Inc. reported a net loss in the fourth quarter ended December 31 as sales declined 13 percent. Earnings and sales missed guidance and the eco-friendly footwear announced a new transformation plan to reignite growth and improve its cost structure.
