SGB Update Footwear
Costco Sees March Comps Grow 9.1 Percent x-Gas; E-Commerce Up High Teens
Costco reported net sales of $25.5 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 6, 2025, an increase of 8.6 percent from $23.5 billion in fiscal March last year.
Fleet Feet Franchisee to Open Third North Carolina Store in Jacksonville
Michelle Fogle opened her first Fleet Feet store at the Forum Shopping Center in Wilmington, NC 10 years ago, followed by a second Wilmington location two years ago.
The Athlete’s Foot Promotes Matt Lafone to CEO
Matt Lafone, president and GM of Americas, takes the helm as global CEO, steering TAF toward a unified vision with new operational and innovation strategies.
Former Puma CEO Jochen Zeitz to Exit Harley Davidson Leadership Role
The Board of Directors of Harley-Davidson, Inc. has confirmed that it is currently engaged in an ongoing CEO search process as part of the Board’s succession planning responsibilities.
VF Corp. Promotes Abhishek Dalmia to EVP and Chief Operating Officer
The company’s Board of Directors has named Dalmia as EVP and chief operating officer and principal operating officer, effective April 3, 2025. He has served as EVP and chief strategy, transformation and digital officer since March 2024.
Puma SE Promotes Tara McRae to President of North America Unit
McRae, who previously led Puma’s marketing and brand strategy in North America, will assume the role immediately, replacing Bob Philion, who leaves the company after 20 years, including eights years as North America president.
BDA Promotes Former Nordstrom Exec to Divisional VP of Program Management
Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, LLC (BDA) is the largest, independently owned branded merchandise agency with operations in over 50 locations worldwide. With a proven record of building large e-commerce solutions, Lisa Battistoni’s expertise will drive innovation and optimize BDA’s digital offerings.
Duluth Trading Welcomes Stephanie Pugliese Back as President and CEO
Pugliese replaces outgoing CEO Sam Soto, who announced last week he was leaving the business. She first joined Duluth Trading in November 2008 as VP of product and merchandising, and was promoted continuosly until assuming the CEO role in 2015, a role she served in until 2019.
NRF: Consumer Spending Not Unraveling; Retail Sales Growth to Continue in 2025
The association’s 2025 sales forecast compares with 3.6 percent annual sales growth to $5.29 trillion dollars in 2024. This year’s forecast also aligns with the 10-year pre-pandemic average annual sales growth of 3.6 percent.
Macy’s Advances “Bold New Chapter”; Appoints New Finance Head
Capri Holdings’ finance and operations head, Thomas J. Edwards, will become chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Macy’s, Inc., effective June 22.
Marathon Sports Acquires Fleet Feet Maine Running
Fleet Feet Maine Running, the two-store specialty store based out of Portland, ME, has concluded the sale of its specialty running business to Marathon Sports, a 26 location New England running specialty store brand based in Boston.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Swings to Adjusted Net Profit in Q4 on Flattish Comp Sales
On a comparable 13-week basis, fourth-quarter net sales decreased 0.9 percent compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Same-store sales declined 0.5 percent year-over-year on a 13-week comparable basis.
Birkenstock Opens Tenth U.S. Retail Store in Nashville, TN
Birkenstock Nashville, located at 2212 12th Avenue South, hosted an opening event on March 27. Birkenstock created a campaign that spotlights the locals who shape the city’s culture and long-time Birkenstock wearers, captured by photographer Cristina Fisher.
FDRA: Most Footwear Execs Surveyed See Weakening Business Ahead
The Q1 survey conducted among footwear execs reportedly shows a significant decline in industry confidence, with 87 percent of respondents expecting a weaker economy over the next six months – the most pessimistic outlook in the survey’s history.
Report: Taking a Global Pulse on Shopping with a Sustainable Mindset
To better understand the consumer perspective, Blue Yonder’s fourth annual Consumer Sustainability Survey surveyed more than 5,000 consumers across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), France, Germany, U.K., and U.S. on their sustainable shopping opinions and behaviors.
