SGB Update Footwear
Skechers’ Investor Loses Bid To Block Take-Private Deal
A California federal judge refused to block private equity 3G Capital from taking Skechers private for $9.4 billion, finding that the pension plan that owns Skechers’ shares failed to show it would be irreparably harmed without the injunction.
Nordisk Forms Partnership to Expand In China
The Danish outdoor brand entered a partnership with K2 Korea and China’s BA Capital to establish a strategic joint venture in China, including the opening of the first Nordisk stores in the country.
Arc’teryx to Open Store in Bethesda, Maryland
The store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, MD, is expected to open this fall. The outdoor brand, owned by Amer Sports, operates two stores nearby in Washington, D.C., including one in the Georgetown area.
Survey: Dads Lead Move to Earlier BTS Shopping Trend
A survey commissioned by Smarty, a rewards app, found 70 percent of U.S. consumers are starting their BTS shopping earlier than in previous years amid tariff concerns, with dads taking the lead across nearly every category, from spending more to prioritizing quality.
Tiger Finance Appoints Managing Director, National Sales
Tiger Finance, which has invested in several active lifestyle and retail businesses, promoted Jason Rae, an asset-based lending veteran, as managing director, National Sales. Rae previously co-led Tiger Valuation Services’ Business Development team and covered the New England and Canadian markets.
Li & Fung Acquires UK-Based Hosiery Supplier Orrsum
Hong Kong-headquartered supply chain management company Li & Fung has acquired Orrsum, a UK-based manufacturer of hosiery, underwear and loungewear, for an undisclosed amount.sed sum. Founded in 1998, Orrsum reports that it produces over 50 million pairs of socks for distribution to more than 5,000 retail doors worldwide each year.
Centric Brands Appoints President of Kid’s Division
Based in New York, Rob Smith will report directly to CEO Jason Rabin as president of the company’s Kids’ Division and join the company’s executive leadership team. He replaces Steve Pinkow who has served as Kid’s Group president for 17 years.
Asics Recommits to Boston; Signs Lease on Downtown Office Space
The company has signed a lease to occupy 44,000 square feet of office space at 179 Lincoln Street in downtown Boston, a slightly smaller location compared to its nearby Boston headquarters, which measures 60,000 square feet and opened in 2018.
Raleigh’s Runologie Shutters
The only independently owned and operated specialty running store in Raleigh was located at 1614 Automotive Way near the Mordecai neighborhood. The store closed on June 30
NRF Chief Economist to Transition to Senior Economic Advisor
Jack Kleinhenz, the NRF’s chief economist since 2010, is stepping down to serve in a new capacity as senior economic advisor. NRF Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews will become NRF’s new chief economist while continuing to lead the research team.
Lululemon Opens First Store in Italy
Located at Vittorio Emanuele II 24/28, the store spans roughly 5,700 square feet across two floors and officially opens July 19. The store’s product line supports yoga, running, training, tennis, and golf.
June Retail Sales Top Expectations
Retail sales rose a better-than-expected 0.6 percent in June versus May, the Commerce Department reported, after two consecutive months of spending declines. June’s number topped the 0.2 percent gain economists projected in a FactSet poll.
NOCSAE Finalizes First Performance Standard for Youth Football Helmets
The standard is the result of over 10 years of NOCSAE-led effort and funding to support scientific research, testing, and analysis to establish sufficient youth-specific data and testing criteria necessary to develop the standard.
NRF’s Chief Economist Transitions to Senior Economic Advisor
The National Retail Federation announced on Thursday, July 17, that Jack Kleinhenz, NRF’s chief economist since 2010, is stepping down to serve in a new capacity as senior economic advisor. NRF Executive Director of Research Mark Mathews will become NRF’s new chief economist while continuing to lead the research team.
Nike’s Artificial Intelligence VP is Departing
Jason Loveland, Nike Inc’s VP of enterprise AI/ML engineering, is exiting his post as Nike confirmed layoffs in May at its technology division as part of a broader restructuring.
