SGB Update Footwear
First Holiday Sales Wrap Up Sees 3.8 Percent Growth for 2024
Preliminary insights reveal that U.S. retail holiday sales, excluding automotive, increased 3.8 percent year-over-year from November 1 through December 24, exceeding the firm’s September forecast of 3.7 percent growth for the holiday sales period.
Saks Global Completes Acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group
The company finalized its acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group (NMG) for a total enterprise value of $2.7 billion. Marc Metrick will serve as CEO of Saks Global Operating Group, and Ian Putnam will serve as CEO of Saks Global Properties & Investments.
Fleet Feet Franchise Opens in Hattiesburg, MS
New owners Chris and Angie Walker opened their new Fleet Feet location in Hattiesburg, MS on December 17, with a Grand Opening scheduled for January 2025.
Nordstrom Family and Mexico-Based Partner Acquire Nordstrom Business for $6.25B
The company has signed a definitive agreement under which Erik Nordstrom, Pete Nordstrom and Jamie Nordstrom, and other members of the Nordstrom family will own 50.1 percent and El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V. (Liverpool), will own 49.9 percent of Nordstrom, Inc.
Sqairz Forms Medical Advisory Board to Elevate Brand
The formation of a Medical Advisory Board brings together accomplished doctors of sports medicine, biomechanics and physical therapy, whose insights will “allow us to continue to set new benchmarks for athletic footwear.”
Scholastic Sports Sales Owner Jeff Miller Passes Away
Miller owned Scholastic Sports Sales, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in April 2024 and is in its third generation of family ownership. He was a member of the NSGA Board for two terms from 2015 to 2021. He unexpectedly passed away on December 19 at age 69.
Shoes For Crews Taps Board Director to Serve as CEO
Chris Quinn will assume the CEO role beginning January 1, 2025. He has served as a director of Shoes For Crews since August 2024.
Big 5 Sporting Goods Renews Five-Year Credit Facility with BofA
The company has entered into an agreement to amend and extend its credit facility with Bank of America, N. A., as administrative agent and lender.
Skechers Opens New Flagship in Prague, Czech Republic
Skechers now has eight retail locations in the Czech Republic, including five additional stores in Prague, Modřice and Ostrava.
ICSC Makes Final Argument for Brick & Mortar Holiday Shopping in New Survey Report
The membership trade organization serving the commercial real estate and retail industries reported physical stores remain an important part of holiday shopping, as 84 percent of surveyed respondents intend to shop in-store or visit a store to pick up an online order.
Nordstrom Sets Plan to Open Rack Store in Nashua, NH
The 30,000-square-foot store will be located in Royal Ridge Center, a shopping center that includes Marshalls, Sierra Trading Post, HomeGoods, PetSmart, The Paper Store, and other retailers.
Birkenstock Saw Fiscal Q4 Sales Growth Accelerate as Full Year Beats Forecast
The company said over 90 percent of wholesale growth came from within existing doors as key retail partners continue to expand the breadth and depth of their Birkenstock offerings to meet growing consumer demand.
Joybees Appoints Ken Dayley as CEO
From 2014 to 2018, Dayley provided global digital consulting expertise to New Balance to support growth in the U.S. and international expansion in Europe. From 2012 to 2014, Dayley worked as the digital development business manager for Finish Line, Inc.
Foot Locker CTO Elected to PRA Group Board of Directors
As Foot Locker’s CTO, Butler drives technology strategy, innovation and delivery across their digital, data and analytics, supply chain/merchandising and omni-channel experiences. In addition to serving on multiple boards, Butler is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions.
Study: Shoplifting Increased 93 Percent Since 2019; Violence Jumped 84 Percent Since 2022
According to the study, retailers surveyed experienced an average of 177 shoplifting incidents per day in 2023; however, that number can reach over 1,000 depending on the retail sector.
