SGB Update Footwear

Macy’s, Inc. Confirms Planned Store Closures
As previously disclosed, the 66 Macy’s locations will close as part of the company’s “Bold New Chapter” strategy.

Costco December Comps Jump 9.9 Percent x-Gas; E-Commerce Jumped 35.7 Percent
E-commerce sales in December were said to be positively impacted by an estimated 15 percentage points, due to Thanksgiving / Black Friday / Cyber Monday occurring a week later in 2024 versus holiday 2023.

Carhartt Opens Retail Store in SoHo
The new location joins the brand’s existing store in Seven Dials, in the St Giles district of the London Borough of Camden, in the West End of London.

The Buckle Posts 4.6 Percent Comp Growth in Fiscal December
Net sales for the fiscal month of December were flattish, down 0.8 percent to $202.1 million from net sales of $203.8 million for the prior-year fiscal month of December.

Genesco Inc. Names First Chief Human Resources Officer
The parent of Journeys, Schuh, Johnston & Murphy said Kyle Polischuk will report to Mimi Vaughn, Genesco’s board chair, president and CEO and serve on Genesco’s executive management committee. Her appointment was effective January 6.

NRF’s Chief Economist Believes 2024 Ended on a High Note
Jack Kleinhenz’s comments came in the January edition of the NRF’s Monthly Economic Review, in which he reported that the 2024 gross domestic product was on track to grow 2.7 percent over 2023, based on results for the first 11 months of the year.

Burton Adds Exec Hires to Drive Brand and Product Categories
The privately-owned snowboard manufacturing company, hired Jennifer Valentine as chief merchandising officer and Debbie Lee as chief marketing officer based in the company’s global headquarters in Burlington, VT.

Tilly’s Inc. Appoints PacSun Veteran to Board of Directors
Michael Relich has over 40 years of experience in retail, with an emphasis on systems and information technology. Most recently, Relich served as the co-CEO of PacSun.

Columbia’s Chief Digital Information Officer Exits
Columbia said it would launch a search for Skip Potter’s replacement. In the interim, EVP and CFO Jim Swanson will oversee the company’s digital technology department.

Report: 2024 Holiday Online Spending Sets New Record; Sporting Goods Up Big
Strong discounts this season also drove consumers to purchase higher-ticket items in categories such as electronics, appliances and sporting goods. The share of units sold for the most expensive goods was up 54 percent in sporting goods.

Dr Martens Creative Director Darren Mckoy Exits Company
The designer’s announcement comes as company sales have declined and it prepares for new leadership. Ije Nwokorie is set to take the CEO role following the exit of former CEO Kenny Wilson, who said he would step down at the end of 2024. Nwokorie was, most recently, Dr. Martens’ chief brand officer.

Boa and 5.11 Parent Compass Diversified Starts Year with Board Shuffle
Gordon M. Burns will not be standing for re-election at the company’s 2025 annual shareholders meeting due to other commitments. Nancy B. Mahon has been appointed chair of the Board’s Nominating Committee, replacing Mr. Burns.

Report: Holiday Retail Return Rate Jumps 28 Percent as U.S. Sales Reach $282B
Salesforce is reporting that the data in its system shows that holiday retail sales surged to a record $1.2 trillion globally and $282 billion in the United States, but high returns could dampen retailer overall profit margins.

Macy’s, Inc. Appoints New Member to Board of Directors
Robert Chavez has spent over 45 years working in the retail industry. Most recently he served for 24 years as President and CEO of Hermès Americas, a division of Hermès International Société, overseeing operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.

Midwest Outdoor and Winter Sports Rep Associations Merge
Midwest Winter Sports Reps Association (MWSRA) and Outdoor Reps Association (ORA) have merged to form Midwest Professional Reps Organization, or M-Pro. The merger was effective on January 1.