SGB Update Footwear

APL To Open Store In New York City

APL, the Los Angles-based sneaker upstart also known as Athletic Propulsion Labs, is opening its first store in New York City, in Soho, according to TheRealDeal.

Li Ning Hires Group VP And CFO

Li Ning Company, Ltd. has hired of Zhao Dong Sheng as group vice president and chief financial officer.

JD Sports Sells Footasylum To Germany’s Aurelius

JD Sports sold Footasylum to German private equity firm Aurelius Group for an enterprise value of about £37.5 million ($38 million), less than the £86 million pounds ($102.9 million) price it paid for the chain in 2019.

Nordstrom Announces Senior Merchandising Promotion

Nordstrom, Inc. promoted Sam Lobban to executive vice president and general merchandise manager for women’s and men’s apparel and all designer categories supporting product strategy and vision.

Inflation Expected To Impact Back-To-School Spending

Numerator’s 2022 Back-To-School Survey of nearly 2,400 households found that 89 percent of respondents expect inflation to impact their back-to-school spending and increase cost-saving measures, including buying items on sale, reusing old supplie, and switching to cheaper brands.

Under Armour To Pay $67 Million To Settle UCLA Lawsuit

Under Armour has agreed to pay UCLA nearly $67.5 million to settle the school’s lawsuit with the company, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. UCLA was seeking over $200 million in damages in its original lawsuit filed in August 2020 over Under Armour’s terminated UCLA contract.

Deckers Brands Lifts FY Outlook On Blowout Q1 For Hoka

Deckers Brands slightly raised its EPS guidance for its fiscal year after reporting earnings and sales in the fiscal first quarter ended June 30 topped Wall Street’s targets. The gains were led by an outperformance by Hoka, with sales up 54.9 percent year-over-year.

VF Corp. Lowers FY Outlook Due To Currency Impact

VF Corp. reported sales on a currency-neutral basis rose 7 percent in its fiscal first quarter ended July 2 as 37 percent growth at The North Face offsetting a 4 percent slide at Vans. Earnings and sales were below analyst targets, and VF lowered its guidance for the year to reflect ongoing negative impacts from foreign currency fluctuations.

NPD Report: Prime Day Promotions Boosted Retail Revenue 14 Percent But Unit Sales Still Fell

The week of Amazon’s Prime Day and other big retailer promotions showed that consumers continue to spend but are purchasing less, according to The NPD Group. U.S. sales revenue from discretionary general merchandise for the week ending July 16, 2022, was 14 percent higher than last year’s non-promotional week, and unit sales were 1 percent lower.

Boot Barn’s Comps Improve 10 Percent In Fiscal First Quarter

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. reported flat earnings in the first fiscal quarter ended June 25 as sales jumped 19 percent and same-store sales gained 10 percent. EPS exceeded  guidance, but the footwear retailer reduced its outlook for the year due to “recent macroeconomic uncertainty.” 

Columbia Sportswear Reduces FY Guidance

Columbia Sportswear Company reported second-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s estimate but reduced its sale and EPS guidance for the year due to growing economic uncertainty. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Boyle said, “As 2022 has progressed, it is increasingly clear that the operating environment has become more challenging.”

Rack Room Shoes Strengthens Merchandising Team

Rack Room Shoes has strengthened its merchant team, promoting Melanie Ortlieb to senior director of planning and allocation and three senior buyers from the merchandising team.