SGB Update Footwear
Report: U.S. Retail Saw Deep Declines in Fashion Categories in Fiscal September
The weakness un the apparel, footwear and accessories categories may lead to some pent-up demand for the Holiday selling season after lagging the stable performance seen in other categories at retail for the 5-week period.
Nike Renews Contract with NBA and WNBA for 12 Years
Nike, Inc. signed on to remain as the exclusive uniform and apparel provider for the National Basketball Association, the WNBA and the G League for another 12 years.
Zamberlan Hires North American Sales Manager
The Italian outdoor footwear brand hired Bill Johnson, formerly at Zappos.com, as North American sales manager. He spent the last 19 years as the Outdoor Footwear Buyer at Zappos.com
RIA Announces ‘Now’ and ‘Future’ Advisory Board Members
The Running Industry Alliance (RIA), the member-based independent national trade organization built for the UK and Ireland’s running industry, announced new members to its Alliance Advisory Boards’ Now’ and ‘Future.’
Topgolf Breaks Ground on New Venue in New Braunfels, TX
The new venue will be in the 400-plus-acre mixed-use development of New Braunfels Town Center at Creekside, a master-planned community, with an opening date in late 2025. This will be the 14th venue in Texas for Topgolf.
Nike’s Mark Parker to Step Down from Walt Disney’s Board
Parker has been Chairman since April 3, 2023, and first elected to Disney’s Board in early 2016. The Executive Chairman of Morgan Stanley, James P. Gorman, will succeed Parker.
Ross Stores Opens 47 Locations
Ross Stores Inc. recently opened 43 Ross Dress for Less and four dd’s Discounts stores across 22 states in September and October. These new locations complete the company’s store growth plans for fiscal 2024, with the addition of 89 new locations throughout the year.
Dick’s SG Opens Next-Gen Store in Selinsgrove, PA
Dick’s Sporting Goods opened a next-generation store, which is a larger store format than a regular Dick’s store, in the Monroe Marketplace in Selinsgrove, PA.
Pajar Canada Acquires Cougar Shoes
Cougar Shoes Co-owner and President Steve Sedlbauer said that the company has experienced financial struggles in recent years due to disruption caused by the pandemic and milder winters in key regions.
REI Co-op Plans Lower Volume of Store Openings for 2025
REI Co-op plans to open six locations in 2025, with three new stores in California, as well as Amherst, NY; Durango, CO; and Lynnwood, WA. The openings mark a moderation in new store growth from the 10 stores scheduled to open in 2024.
Under Armour Retains Oberalp for Swiss Distribution
Since becoming its Italian distributor, Under Armour’s sales in Italy have expanded from €8 million to €50 million ($54 mm). Over the last years, the South Tyrolean group has been growing Under Armour’s business in the wholesale channel.
Dick’s SG Sets Store Opening in Houston Suburbs
Dick’s Sporting Goods announced plans to open a Dick’s store at Atascocita Commons in Humble, TX in early November. Humble is located in the Houston metro area.
Baffin Appoints Lead Designer
Austin Sedlbauer, most recently, was the lead designer at Cougar Shoes. He joins Baffin, a subsidiary of Canada Goose Holdings, effective immediately.
SFIA Elects Rawlings’ Mike Zlaket as Board Chairman
Zlaket is the CEO and member of the Board of Directors for Rawlings Sporting Goods. As chairman of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Board of Directors, his one-year term begins effective immediately.
Bass Pro to Open Location in Corpus Christi
The announcement came during a news conference led by local Bass Pro officials and Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo. The opening is planned for 2025 and will be the retailer’s 21st in the state.
