SGB Update Footwear

Sustainable Apparel Coalition Pauses Transparency Program
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) has put its consumer-facing transparency program on pause after a report found that some of its tools to be misleading about eco-marketing claims.
Adidas UK Finance Chief Retires
Andrew Hackett, Adidas’ U.K. finance chief, has retired after 25 years with the company.

OBIT: Bruce Katz
Bruce Katz, the co-founder of Rockport and the founder of Samuel Hubbard Shoe Company, has passed away. He was 75.

NBA Invests In Kids’ Social Network
The National Basketball Association (NBA) was part of a $17 million fundraising round for Zigazoo, a social media platform similar to TikTok that caters to kids between the ages of three and twelve with over one million subscribers.
SportsPursuit Merges With Private Sport Shop
UK-based SportsPursuit, the online discount retailer and part of Baker’s bd-capital portfolio, announced it has merged with France-based Private Sport Shop.

Kohl’s Sale To Franchise Group Is Terminated
Kohl’s terminated acquisition talks with Franchise Group, owner of The Vitamin Shoppe. The company also cut its sales outlook for the second quarter.

Wolverine Worldwide Sells Champion Footwear Trademarks
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. announced that Keds, LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has sold the Champion trademarks for footwear in the United States and Canada to its longtime licensee, HanesBrands, Inc, for $90 million in cash.

Stan’s Fit For Your Feet Acquires Waxberg’s Walk Shoppe
Milwaukee-based Stan’s Fit For Your Feet is expanding into Chicagoland with the purchase of Waxberg’s Walk Shoppe.
Anta Sports Adds Board Member
Anta Sports Products Limited appointed Xia Lian, currently the general manager of Beijing Qingkongdaokou Investment Management Co., Ltd, as an independent non-executive director of the company.
L.L. Bean’s New Headquarters To Open Next Spring
L.L.Bean’s $110 million headquarters redevelopment will be completed two years ahead of schedule as the flexible work-from-home culture during the pandemic enabled construction to speed up, according to Mainebiz.com.

StockX Lays Off 8 Percent Of Its Employees
Resale exchange platform StockX confirmed Wednesday that it has laid off eight percent of its workforce, citing the impact of “macroeconomic challenges” on its web-based shoe resale business.
Puma Extends Contract With AC Milan
Puma and AC Milan announced a long-term extension of their partnership, which was first established in 2018.
Running USA Elects Board Members
Running USA member representatives approved the election of five board members to three-year director terms, which begin July 1, 2022, and conclude June 30, 2025.
Puma To Open Distribution Center In Phoenix
Puma signed a 15-year lease for one million square feet of warehouse space in Glendale, AZ, outside of Phoenix,
REI Set To Open Stores in Colorado And Missouri
REI Co-op on Friday, July 22 plans to open the doors to new stores in Glenwood Springs, CO, and Town and Country, MO.