SGB Update Footwear
Macy’s, Inc. Appoints New Member to Board of Directors
Robert Chavez has spent over 45 years working in the retail industry. Most recently he served for 24 years as President and CEO of Hermès Americas, a division of Hermès International Société, overseeing operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
Midwest Outdoor and Winter Sports Rep Associations Merge
Midwest Winter Sports Reps Association (MWSRA) and Outdoor Reps Association (ORA) have merged to form Midwest Professional Reps Organization, or M-Pro. The merger was effective on January 1.
South Sound Running Sells Two Stores as Owners Set to Retire
Fleet Feet franchisees Wade and Julie Pannell have acquired the Olympia, WA and Puyallup, WA, South Sound Running stores. They will reopen as Fleet Feet Olympia on January 2 and Fleet Feet Puyallup on January 10, respectively.
Fleet Feet Franchisee Opens First Miami, FL Store
Franchisee and store owner Pablo Martinez, a local entrepreneur from Guatemala, has been a Miami resident for 25 years. The new Fleet Feet store is located in the Country Walk Plaza in Miami, FL.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Shrinks in December Survey; Tariffs Top of Mind
Based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business and labor market conditions, the Board’s Expectations Index tumbled 12.6 points to 81.1 for the month, just above the threshold of 80 that usually signals a recession ahead.
Fleet Feet Franchisee Expands Texas Footprint with New Brownsville Store
Hugo and Sandra Gutierrez opened a second Fleet Feet store in Brownsville, TX, expanding on their Fleet Feet store in McAllen, TX. The new store is in the Morrison Crossing Shopping Center.
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.
