SGB Update Footwear
Near-Record Import Levels Expected At U.S. Ports As Congestion Continues
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to be at near-record levels this spring and summer as consumer demand and supply chain challenges continue to result in congestion, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker* report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Mark Wahlberg Becomes Minority Investor In P448’s Parent Company
StreetTrend LLC, which owns the P448 sneaker brand, announced that actor, producer and businessman Mark Wahlberg has made a significant minority investment in the company. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Dick’s SG’s Again Tops Expectations In Q4
Dick’s Sporting Goods reported earnings on an adjusted basis grew 50 percent in the fourth quarter ended January 29 on a 5.9 percent same-store sales gain. Both earnings and sales topped Wall Street’s guidance with the period marking Dick’s largest sales quarter. Earnings are expected to decline in the current year with comps expected in the range of negative 4 percent to flat, but EPS guidance was ahead of Wall Street targets.

Kohl’s Provides Key Updates On Strategic Growth Initiatives
At Investor Day, Kohl’s announced new long-term financial targets and growth strategy that included continued growth in active and casual categories and planned growth for Sephora to a $2 billion business.
Lamo Footwear Appoints Vice President Of Sales
Lamo Footwear announced John Pierce was appointed as the company’s vice president of sales.

Ross Stores To Open 100 Stores
Ross Stores, Inc. opened 22 Ross Dress for Less and eight dd’s DISCOUNTS stores in 15 different states and Guam in February and March. These new locations are part of the company’s plans to add approximately 100 new stores – 75 Ross and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS – during fiscal 2022.

Under Armour, Puma, Helly Hansen And Canada Goose Suspend Operations In Russia
Under Armour, Canada Goose, Helly Hansen and Puma have followed Nike in suspending operations in Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Berkshire Hathaway’s Apparel And Footwear Sales Expand 25.3 Percent In 2021
Berkshire Hathaway Corp. sales across its apparel and footwear businesses increased 25.3 percent in 2021 compared to 2020, according to the holding company’s annual report. The businesses include Fruit of the Loom, Garan, H.H. Brown Shoe Group, and Brooks Sports.

Hibbett’s Q4 Comps Dip 1 Percent
Hibbett Inc. reported fourth-quarter earnings declined 23.9 percent as same-store sales dipped 1.0 percent. Results and guidance were in line with an update given on February 18.

REI SoHo Employees Vote To Unionize
REI employees in its SoHo, New York City retail store, voted to form the co-op’s first union. Eighty-eight of the store’s 102 workers voted to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), and fourteen voted not to join. An in-person tally conducted the vote in the store’s breakroom by the National Labor Relations Board.

Academy Sports Announces Inaugural Quarterly Cash Dividend
Academy Sports and Outdoors Inc. announced that its Board of Directors approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend.

Reebok Appoints VP Europe
Reebok promoted Laurent Fricker to vice president for Europe, according to Fashion Network.

Nike To Temporarily Close Stores In Russia
Nike, Inc. said it would temporarily close all its owned stores in Russia. The brand joins a number of other Western brands that have suspended their businesses in the country following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Adidas Appoints Chief Creative Officer
Adidas announced the appointment of Alasdhair Willis to chief creative officer responsible for the global creative direction for its brands and its three labels—Performance, Originals and Sportswear.

Snipes Acquires Expressions
Snipes continues its expansion in the U.S. by acquiring New England-based sneaker retailer Expressions. The acquisition comes on the heels of its recent acquisition of Jimmy Jazz.