SGB Update Footwear

Famous Footwear Parent is Latest Footwear Retailer to Lower 2024 Guidance
Caleres, Inc. became the latest retailer to lower fiscal full-year guidance after reporting second-quarter fiscal 2024 sales and earnings. A top-line miss was driven by a 5.1 percent decline in Brand Portfolio sales and Famous Footwear comps down 2.9 percent.
DSW Parent Cuts FY Guidance as Q2 Profits Shrink
The company saw sustained pressure on challenged categories such as dress and seasonal in the second quarter, but was able to partially mitigate the impact through providing a greater selection of athletic and athleisure brands in the assortment.

Ross Stores Inc. Makes Merchandising Leadership Changes
The retailer promoted Karen Fleming to president and CMO at Ross Dress for Less and Karen Sykes to president and CMO at DD’s Discounts, effective December 1.

Gold’s Gym Builds Out Existing Markets with Summer 2024 New Gym Openings
By the end of 2024, Gold’s will have opened eight new U.S. gyms, including in Milpitas, CA; Thornton, CO; Silver Spring, MD; and New Bern, NC. The brand also has franchise agreements to grow in Long Island, NY; Miami, Fl; and San Jose, CA.

Jimmy Gabriel Named President and Chief Brand Officer at Aerosoles
Parent company American Exchange Group said Gabriel, a veteran with almost 50 years of experience in the footwear industry, brings his deep expertise and visionary leadership to Aerosoles.

Nate Smith Named CEO of Huk and Nomad Outdoor Parent
Smith brings 20 years of executive leadership experience working for consumer-branded omnichannel organizations in apparel, footwear and accessories. He has held senior executive roles at Patagonia and Oakley and, most recently, was president at Boardriders,
Academy Sports and Outdoors Cuts Guidance After Dismal Q2 Results
Sales for the second quarter were said to be more challenging than expected, impacted by a tough economy, a temporary DC backlog related to going live with a new warehouse management system and by a very active storm season across key portions of the retailer’s footprint.

Under Armour Cuts Guidance on Expanded Restructuring Cost Expectations
The company has identified approx. $70 million of additional charges, largely related to the decision to exit one of its primary distribution facilities located in Rialto, CA on top of the $70 million to $90 million already planned in connection with its Fiscal 2025 restructuring plan.

Are We Headed for More Inventory Overhang as Retailers Bring Goods in Early?
If the forecasts prove correct, 2024 will have seen a seven-month stretch of import levels at or above 2 million TEU, the longest since a 19-month stretch through September 2022, as retailers pull shipments forward for fear of a port strike.

NRF: U.S. Not Likely Headed Into Recession, but Jobs Market Slowdown Possible
NRF’s chief economist believes the U.S. economy has dodged a recession, but is on the cusp of nailing a long-awaited soft landing with a simultaneous cooling of growth and inflation. However, the jobs pictures seems to be another story.

Gymshark Hires Chief People Officer
Keane worked for over 11 years at the luxury etailer Farfetch in various roles, including chief people officer from 2018 to 2024. Gymshark also announced it plans to open its first store outside the UK this year at the UAE’s Dubai Mall as part of its global omnichannel growth.
Journeys Parent Narrows Q2 Loss as Sales Tick Up; Raises FY Guidance
Genesco, Inc. now expects total sales to decrease 1 percent to 2 percent for the year, versus prior expectations for a total sales decrease of 2 percent to 3 percent.

Tilly’s Takes a Shifting Calendar Hit to Second Quarter Sales; Improves EPS Loss to Zero
The calendar shift impact of last year’s 53rd week in the retail calendar, which caused a portion of the back-to-school season’s sales volume to shift into the latter stages of the second quarter from the beginning of the third quarter last year.

Zumiez Gets Q2 Sales Lift From Year-over-Year Calendar Shift and Narrows Net Loss
The company experienced a noticeable acceleration in its sales trend as the second quarter unfolded, with July North America comparable sales increasing in the high-single digits and encouraged about prospects for growth over the remainder of fiscal 2024.

Cotopaxi Opens Store on Boston’s Newbury Street
Located in the heart of Newbury Street, the store was originally a 19th-century schoolhouse before retail.