SGB Update Footwear

Authentic Brands Group Appoints Former Disney Exec as EVP, Head of India
Sanjeet Mehta will oversee the company’s strategy in India, focusing on expanding brand presence, forging strategic partnerships and driving revenue growth, working with Henry Stupp, regional president of the EMEIA.

Shoe Carnival, Inc. to Re-Banner to Majority Shoe Station Stores Within 24 Months
The move to re-banner comes as the posted mixed results in Q4, with top-line sales of $262.94 million missing analysts’ consensus estimate of $274.21 million, while Adjusted EPS of 54 cents beat the consensus estimate of 43 cents per share.

Academy Sports & Outdoors Beats on Q4 Bottom Line; Looks Ahead to Jordan Launch
The company expects the first quarter to be the most challenging from a sales and earnings per share prospective as they plan to open five stores and transition to the new Jordan floor set but see the back half of the year to be stronger than the first half.

Famous Footwear Parent Caleres, Inc. Places Bigger Focus on Brand Portfolio for Growth
Famous Footwear total athletic footwear sales declined low-single-digits in Q4, albeit with solid growth from Adidas and New Balance. The boot category saw high single-digit sales declines, as expected.

Report: Online Resale is Expected to Reach $40 Billion by 2029
From integrating social commerce and AI applications to establishing trade organizations and interfacing with the government, ThredUp said it’s clear why resale has seen accelerated growth and a promising growth trajectory.

Report: February Perceived Stability at Retail Hides Deeper Fluctuations
While the steady appearance of retail performance carried through top-line views of discretionary general merchandise, retail food and beverage, and non-edible consumer packaged goods, underlying disruptions are emerging, reported Circana.

Report: February Retail Sales May Reflect Anxious Consumer Spending
February’s core retail sales, as defined by the NRF, were up 0.9 percent seasonally-adjusted month-over-month but down 0.2 percent unadjusted year-over-year because of the comparison against unusually high sales in February 2024.

Birkenstock Settles in Chelsea for its Fourth London Location
The London, Chelsea store is Birkenstock’s sixth retail location in the UK. The company operates 37 stores in eight European countries, including this new location, with further openings planned in key cities.

Tailored Brands, Inc. Appoints Two New Board Members
The omnichannel specialty retailer of menswear, appointed Julie B. Rosen and Lewis L. Bird, III, as members of its Board of Directors, effective March 2025. Rosen and Bird collectively bring nearly seven decades of retail and business experience to their roles.

OR and Surf Expo Parent Swings to Q4 Profit on 5.2 Percent Revenue Growth
The Q4 increase was reportedly driven primarily by $6.1 million in organic revenue growth and $4.8 million in revenue from acquisitions, offset by scheduling adjustments of $3.7 million and prior-year revenue of $1.9 million related to discontinued events that were not contributing to profitability.

The Buckle Posts Flattish Q4 Net Sales on 3.9 Percent Comp Sales Gain
Online sales outpaced the store base in Q4, increasing 6.4 percent to $69.7 million for the 13-week fourth quarter, compared to net sales of $65.5 million for the 14-week period ended February 3, 2024.

Duluth Trading Sees Q4 Results Hurt by Retail Stores, Fulfillment Issues
Direct-to-consumer net sales increased by 0.4 percent to $172.9 million compared to the prior-year fourth quarter driven by greater penetration of mobile. Retail store net sales decreased by 6.9 percent to $68.4 million.

Sam Sato Sets Retirement from Duluth Trading Company CEO Role
During the transition period through April 25, Stephen L. Schlecht, the company’s chairman of the Board, founder and former CEO, will assume day-to-day leadership of the company with Sato’s assistance.

BSN Sports Parent Varsity Brands Taps into Pro Athlete Investors at Patricof Co
Over 45 of Patricof Co’s global athlete clientele, representing all major U.S. sports, have invested in Varsity Brands. This investment underscores P/Co’s commitment to “partnering with companies transforming the landscape of sports and community engagement.”

KNS International Acquires Birdies Brand; Gates to Stay as Brand President
Birdies, which launched in 2015 as a direct-to-consumer brand, will join the expanding KNS brand portfolio, which includes Journee, Taft and Vance. Co-founder Bianca Gates will join KNS as brand president.