SGB Update Footwear

Report: Growing Participation Rates Supporting Outdoor Rec Sales and M&A
Capstone suggested that financial performance across the sector is expected to improve as firms work through excess inventories, limit promotion activity, and mitigate margin pressures.

Academy Sports’ Debt Ratings Raised by S&P
S&P Global Ratings raised Academy Sports And Outdoor Inc.’s debt rating because the retailer has sustained S&P’s adjusted leverage well below the 2x area despite modest EBITDA margin contraction.

REI to Close Again on Black Friday, Encourage ‘Nature Therapy’
REI Co-op will again close all stores, distribution centers, activity centers, call centers, and headquarters on Thanksgiving and Black Friday Outdoor and pay its employees to spend the day outside.

Dick’s SG to Hire Fewer Seasonal Workers This Year
The retailer plans to hire nearly 8,000 seasonal workers for this year’s holiday season, a step back from the 8,600 planned hires in 2023. A steady decline in employee turnover since 2021 led DKS to a decrease in the number of seasonal workers this year.

Report: Holiday Shopping Intentions Driven by Consumer Optimism, Quest for Value
This year’s household food and grocery costs will impact holiday shopping for 62 percent of consumers, but more holiday shoppers, 57 percent, feel positive about personal finances than in 2023.

Amazon Plans to Hire 250,000 Holiday Workers, Same As Last Year
Amazon aims to add 250,000 U.S. seasonal employees during the 2024 holiday season, matching its target number from 2023.

Fear Of God CEO to Lead Everlane
Alfred Chang, the CEO of luxury streetwear brand Fear of God, was appointed CEO of Everlane. The company was founded in 2010 by Michael Preysman and Jesse Farmer with the mission of selling clothing with transparent pricing.

Kizik Secures Japan and Canada Distribution
The hands-free footwear brand announced its expansion into Japan and Canada through strategic partnerships with Marubeni Consumer Brands Inc. and Kanner Corporation.
Foot Locker Partners to Expand into India
Foot Locker launched operations in India for the first time through licensing arrangements with Metro Brands Ltd operating Foot Locker physical stores and Nykaa Fashion operating the e-commerce business.

Shoes For Crews Names New Board Members
A global provider of slip-resistant safety footwear products, announced the selection of its new board of directors, which includes Donald Watros, Jame Donath, Chris Quinn, and Colin Browne. This new board brings years of experience working in the footwear, financial services and consumer product industries.

Nike Crushes Q1 EPS Targets, Warns of Guidance Adjustment
Nike Inc. reported earnings for its first quarter handily topped Wall Street targets, but said it was postponing its upcoming Investor Day and indicated it “would address its approach to guidance” on its quarterly analyst call in light of the appointment of Nike veteran Elliott Hill as CEO. Sales in the quarter were down 10 percent with declines of 13 percent in direct and 8 percent in wholesale channels.

Nordstrom Rack to Open New Store in Massachusetts
The 25,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack will open in the fall of 2025 in the The Landing at Hyannis. Nordstrom operates seven Nordstrom Rack stores in Massachusetts, generating over 900 jobs statewide.

Authentic Names Brand Partners Supporting Champion Brand
Authentic Brand Group announced that GearCo, BBC and AMG Companies will serve as its primary vendor partners supporting its just-closed acquisition the Champion brand.

Dockworkers Now on Strike at East and Gulf Coast Ports
The strike spans from Maine to Texas and blocks everything from food to auto shipments across dozens of ports. Analysts have warned that this could cost the economy billions of dollars a day, threaten jobs and potentially stoke inflation.

Moncler to Open New York City Flagship
The location will represent the largest store for the Italian outerwear brand worldwide and follows the announcement that French luxury group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton would invest in Moncler in a deal that gives it a seat on the company’s board.