SGB Update Footwear

WFSGI Makes Emma Zwiebler’s CEO Appointment Permanent
Zwiebler joined the WFSGI six years ago where she previously held the position of VP for Strategic and External Affairs. Zwiebler is a Trustee of the charity Switch the Play Foundation. She was appointed as interim CEO on November 1, 2023.

Deloitte: Summer Travel Stays the Course Amid Pricing Pressures
As costs takeoff, shifting demographics and desire to stretch dollars are likely changing how Americans travel. In its new report, Vacations Pass the Value Test: 2024 Deloitte Summer Travel Survey, Deloitte examines the trends and preferences that could shape the upcoming summer travel season.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Opens First Ohio Store, Expands Footprint to 19 States
The Zanesville, OH is roughly 54,000 square feet, marking the third store the retailer has opened in 2024. Academy plans to expand its retail footprint by opening 15-to-17 stores in its fiscal 2024 year, with 160-to-180 new stores over the next five years.

Macy’s, Inc. Narrows Full Year Guidance Range After Solid Start to Year
Macy’s nameplate go-forward business comparable sales were down 1.3 percent on an owned basis and flat on an owned-plus-licensed-plus-marketplace basis. First 50 locations comps were up 3.3 percent on an owned basis and up 3.4 percent on an owned-plus-licensed basis.

Amer Sports Easily Beats Q1 Guidance on Lift from Arc’Teryx, DTC and Asia
First quarter revenue increased 13 percent to $1.2 billion led by a 44 percent increase in the Technical Apparel segment and Asia. Outdoor Performance revenue increased in Greater China, Asia Pacific, and EMEA, offset by a decline in the Americas.

Kizik Opens Two New Retail Locations
Hands-free footwear brand opens new store in Mall of America and King of Prussia as part of its brick-and-mortar retail expansion strategy.

Rally House Opens Second Storefront in Wisconsin
Rally House expands its presence in Wisconsin to two storefronts after opening Rally House Outlets at The Dells in Baraboo on May 17. Last October, Rally House opened its House Mayfair Collection in Wauwatosa, WI.

Snipes Appoints Martin Badour as President of Snipes USA
He succeeds Jim Bojko, who has left Snipes. In his new role, Badour will be responsible for managing the company in the United States, according to a press release from the company..
Ex-Nike DEI Boss Sentenced to 5 Years for Fraud
Barbara Furlow-Smiles stole over $5 million from Nike and Facebook as a DEI manager. Her greed got her a sentence of five years and three months in Federal prison this week.

Pnuma Outdoors and Heated Core Appoint Brand Manager
Amber Liljestrand previously worked at Bass Pro Shops, where she was the assistant merchant for Hunting and Tactical Apparel, overseeing design, development and promotion of proprietary brands while collaborating with major national brands.

Dillard’s, Inc. Sees Fiscal Q1 Comps Dip 2 Percent; Net Income Sinks 11 Percent
Total retail sales, which excludes the company’s construction business, CDI Contractors, LLC, for the fiscal first quarter were $1.49 billion, down 1 percent from $1.52 billion in the year-ago Q1 period.

Under Armour Issues Tepid FY Outlook as Company Resets Weak U.S. Business
The company reported fiscal 2024 Q4 net revenue was down 5 percent year-over-year to $1.3 billion for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, while reported EPS shrank to to 2 cents a diluted share in Q4 from 38 cents in the prior-year Q4 period.

MEC to Open New Store in Ontario, Canada
MEC, the Canadian outdoor retailer, reported it will open a freestanding store in Whitby, Ontario, in July 2024, its seventh standalone store in Ontario and 23rd standalone in Canada.

U.S. Sporting Goods Segment Retail Sales Decline in April as Market Grows 3.9 Percent
Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Bookstore sales were reported down 4.7 percent YoY from April 2023 and down 0.9 percent versus March 2024. Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores sales were up 2.7 percent YoY.

Puma Appoints Bas van den Bemt as Managing Director Central Europe
Bas van den Bemt is Puma’s new managing director for central Europe, starting July 1, overseeing business in the Dach and Benelux regions. He replaces Nina Graf-Vlachy, who decided to pursue opportunities outside the company. Lucynda Davies will take over Van den Bemt’s role as managing director of Puma UK and Ireland.