SGB Update Footwear
K-Swiss Appoints Head of Sales for U.S. Performance
K-Swiss appointed Dustin Perry as head of sales, U.S. performance, to drive growth across tennis and pickleball. The footwear brand also expanded its new sales reps coverage of the Southwest and hired a new sports marketing manager.
Report: Converse to Undergo Layoffs
The report notes that several senior executives at Converse were also departing. Aside from the layoffs, the brand is also looking to add new roles and reshuffle internal teams for some employees, per the report.
Brooks Running Appoints Claire Wood VP of Footwear Product Strategy
Brooks Running named Claire Wood, most recently VP of Product Creation and Global Footwear at Sorel, as VP of Footwear Product Strategy. In her new role, Wood will “guide Brooks’ footwear product line management, merchandising and product marketing teams.”
NRF Forecasts Import Cargo Volume to Decline 2 Percent in 2026 First Half on Tough Comps
The current forecasted volumes for the first six months of the year would bring the first half of 2026 to 12.27 million TEU, down 2 percent from 12.53 million TEU during the comparative H1 period in 2025. The decline compared with 2025 was attributed largely to moves to ship goods early before the onset of the Trump tariffs last spring and summer.
Costco U.S. Comps Climb 6 Percent in February; Internet-Enabled Sales Surge
Excluding gas, Costco’s same-store sales were up 6.8 percent in the U.S. and 6.4 percent overall. E-commerce sales advanced 33.1 percent.
Birkenstock’s Debt Ratings Upgraded on Strong Operating Performance, Debt Deleverage
Birkenstock Holding PLC saw its debt ratings upgraded by S&P Global Ratings due to strong sales, improved profit margins, and expectations for continued balance-sheet deleveraging. Under S&P’s revised base case, it expects Birkenstock to maintain adjusted debt to EBITDA of about 2.0x-2.1x in fiscal 2026 (broadly in line with the previous year) and to reduce it below 2.0x starting from 2027.
Univ of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index Shows Strong Recovery in February
U.S. consumer sentiment rose to a six-month high in February, although concern for job insecurity and inflation remained widespread, according to the University of Michigan’s monthly survey.
Michigan’s Rocky’s Great Outdoors to Shutter
Rocky’s opened in 1971, focusing on motorcycle parts and accessories, and later expanded into outdoor categories, including camping, archery, hiking, and fishing in the early 1990s, then later added kayaks and snowmobile parts and accessories.
Marathon Sports Acquires Six03 Trail Races and Cranmore Mountain Race
Marathon Sports, which operates 28 running stores across New England, acquired the Six03 Trail Races and the Cranmore Mountain Race. As part of the acquisition, Six03 Founder Tom Hooper will join Marathon Sports to lead its Trail Running Initiative.
Brooks Running’s Revenues Climb 16 Percent in 2025, Boosted by International Gains
Brooks Running reported revenues rose 16 percent in 2025, with 13 percent growth in North America and accelerating growth internationally. Sales advanced 22 percent in EMEA and 66 percent in APLA, led by a 245 percent surge in China.
The Buckle’s January Comp Sales Growth Moderates from Q4 and Full Year Trends
Comparable store sales for the four-week fiscal month ended January 31 increased 1.7 percent year-over-year. Comps for the fiscal fourth quarter increased 3.9 percent year-over-year.
Boot Barn Sees Fiscal Q3 Results Top Guidance, Same-Store Sales Jump 6 Percent
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. reported earnings in the fiscal third quarter ended December 27 climbed 14.2 percent, driven by a 5.7 percent increase, topping company guidance. The Western-themed footwear retailer expects fiscal fourth-quarter comps to climb 3.0 percent to 5.0 percent.
8AM Golf Acquires Equity Stake in Payntr Golf
8AM Golf, the parent of True Spec Golf, Miura Golf and other golf businesses, has acquired a “significant equity stake” in golf footwear upstart Payntr Golf, marking the company’s first investment in the apparel and footwear space.
AAFA Study: 41 Percent of Counterfeit Products Tested Failed Product Safety Standards
The AAFA reported that of the 39 counterfeit products tested, including clothing, footwear, and other accessories, 16 products (41 percent) failed to comply with U.S. and international product safety standards.
Shoes That Fit Appoints Jared Briskin and Misty Prado to Board of Directors
Shoes That Fit, a national 501(c)3 nonprofit, based in Claremont, CA, has appointed Hibbett, Inc. President and CEO Jared Briskin and Hyundai Capital America Head of HR Misty Prado to its Board of Directors.
