SGB Update Footwear
The Buckle Posts 7.0 Percent Comp Sales Growth For December
The Buckle, Inc. saw comparable store net sales increase 7.0 percent for the 5-week period ended December 31, 2022 versus comp store net sales for the 5-week period ended January 1, 2022.

DSW Parent Appoints New CEO, Reiterates Outlook
Designer Brands, Inc., parent company of DSW and Topo Athletic, hired Doug Howe, president of DSW, to succeed Roger Rawlins as CEO, effective April 1, 2023, at which time Rawlins will step down as CEO and as a member of its board of directors.
New Balance Sues Roma Following Adidas Sponsorship
New Balance filed a lawsuit against Italian Serie A club Roma for signing a new long-term agreement with Adidas despite New Balance exercising its right of first refusal.
USA Triathlon Foundation Adds Four Members To Board Of Trustees
In 2022, the USA Triathlon Foundation added four members to its Board of Trustees—Frantz Alphonse, Audra Mallow, Bill Shenkin, and Reggie Waller.
Injinji Hires Graphic Designer
Injinji has hired Chelsea Call as a graphic designer.
Association Of Golf Merchandisers Names Interim Executive Director
Tracy Moffatt was named interim executive director of the Association of Golf Merchandisers as part of a plan by its Board of Directors to find a permanent successor following the retirement of Desane Blaney.

NRF Economist Sees Balance Between Inflation And Interest Rates Key To Avoiding Recession
It’s too soon to say whether the Federal Reserve’s efforts to reduce inflation will lead to a recession; however, continuing interest rate hikes increase the likeliness, according to the NRF’s Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz in the January Issue of its Monthly Economic Review.

DC Shoes Co-Founder Dies In Snowmobile Accident
Ken Block, the co-founder of DC Shoes and founder of the Hoonigan motor racing team, died in a snowmobile accident near his home in Utah on January 2. The news was confirmed on Hoonigan’s social media channels.

British Retail Consortium Sees Stronger H2 In 2023 Look Ahead
A new analysis by the British Retail Consortium suggests that U.K. retail sales will grow between 2.3 percent to 3.5 percent in 2023.
DeFeet Shifts Internal Company Sales And Distribution Roles
DeFeet reported it made internal changes to its custom sales department, including domestic and international distribution.
Orthotics Holdings Secures New Ownership
Orthotic Holdings Inc., the maker of custom medical devices, secured a majority investment from Summit Partners Credit Advisors.

Christy Sports Acquires Grizzly Outfitters
Christy Sports acquired Grizzly Outfitters, the specialty outdoor retail and rental operator in Big Sky, MT. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hergert’s Sport Center Owners To Retire
The owners of Hergert’s Sport Center in Oshkosh, WI, Bob and Ralph Hergert, are retiring after over 60 years.
Kizik Names Former Hoka Brand President As Board Member
Kizik added Wendy Yang, who recently stepped down as president of Hoka, to its Board of Directors.
JD Sport’s Marketing Director Joins Hugo Boss
German fashion brand Hugo Boss hired Nadia Kokni, formerly global group marketing director at JD Sports Fashion, as SVP of global marketing.