SGB Update Footwear
Nordstrom Hires News Editor from Harper’s Bazaar as Fashion Director
Nordstrom Inc. has appointed Brooke Bobb, formerly fashion news director at Harper’s Bazaar, as vice president and fashion director.
June CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Report Reveals DD Growth in Key Channels
The effects of a Juneteenth holiday falling on a Friday this year and creating another three-day weekend for the retail month of June – which ran through July 4 this year – also provided a year-over-year boost for retailers and restaurants even as falling gas prices cut into some top-line trends in the month-over-month assessment of the retail business.
SureWerx Appoints EMEA Chief
Erik Pertot will report directly to CEO Scott Dowell and is expected to lead growth, manufacturing and M&A activities in Europe across the company’s global portfolio.
Genesco, Inc. Boasts Three Advisory Firms Backing Company’s Board Vote Recommendations
The parent of Journeys, Schuh, and Johnston & Murphy, has lined up additional support for the company’s nine directors that are on the ballot at the company’s upcoming 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for July 21, 2026.
New Hampshire’s George & Phillips to Close
George & Phillips, the tennis and running specialty shop based in Exeter, NH, is closing after 106 years in business. Owner Bert Freedman, the third generation to run the store, is retiring.
JCPenney’s Q1 Losses Expand on Sales Slide; Activewear Shines
JCPenney reported a slightly wider operating loss in the first quarter as sales slid 4.6 percent. A bright spot was the Active category, which grew “significantly” due to expanded assortments of Nike apparel and NCAA fleece.
DXL Rejects Higher Buyout Offer from Zodiac Partners II
Destination XL Group (DXL), the owner of DXL Big + Tall, DXL Men’s Apparel, and Casual Male XL, said its board rejected a revised 84-cents-a-share unsolicited buyout offer from Zodiac Partners II, charging the offer is “opportunistic” and significantly undervalues the retailer’s long-term worth.
Costco’s June Comps Climb 8.8 Percent, Digital-Enabled Sales Surge
Costco Wholesale Corp.’s same-store sales, excluding changes in gas prices and foreign exchange, were up 7.6 percent in the U.S. and 7 percent in total. Digitally-enabled sales gained 21.5 percent on that basis.
L.L.Bean Appoints Independent Directors
L.L.Bean, Inc. appointed Jared Carver, the CEO of Tracksmith and former Converse CEO, and Kyle Leahy, the former CEO of Glossier, as independent directors to its Board of Directors.
Deloitte: Back-To-School Spending Declining Amid Economic Anxieties
Back-to-school spending, adjusted for inflation, is expected to decline 6 percent this year as consumers’ concerns about the economy heightens, according to Deloitte’s annual Back-to-School Survey. Adjusted spending is expected to be down 27 percent compared to a recent peak in 2021. Families are expected to prioritize necessities such as clothing while cutting back on tech purchases.
Carbitex Names Principal Scientist
The maker of carbon fiber composites for performance footwear appointed Dheepak Arumukhom Revi, Ph.D., to the newly created role of principal scientist to support in-house biomechanics projects.
Journeys Parent Secures Institutional Shareholder Services Nod in Proxy Fight
Genesco, Inc., the parent of Journeys, scored a victory against an activist investor ahead of its annual meeting as proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) recommended shareholders vote for all nine of Genesco’s board nominees over the activist group’s proposed replacements.
The Buckle Sees June Comps Grow 2.4 Percent
The Buckle, Inc. reported comparable store sales for the 5-week period ended July 4 increased 2.4 percent year-over-year. Net sales grew 5.2 percent to $112.0 million from $106.5 million a year ago.
FDRA’s Q2 Executive Survey Highlights Tariffs and Consumer Strains
The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) released the results of its Q2 2026 Shoe Executive Business Survey showing that after improving in Q1 to the most upbeat in five quarters, respondents’ six-month outlook for the economy dimmed a bit in Q2 due to mounting concerns among footwear leaders about weakening consumer demand, rising costs, and the ongoing impact of Washington’s unpredictable tariff policies.
Import Cargo Volume Projected to Set Record in Anticipation of August Tariffs
Import volume at the nation’s major container ports is forecast to hit a new all-time record this month, driven by retailers stocking up ahead of expected tariff increases, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
