SGB Update Footwear
Varsity Brands Appoints First Chief Security Officer
As CSO, veteran law enforcement officer and security expert Lisa Olivieri manages Varsity Brand’s integrated security and safety efforts, events, competitions, offices, and facilities. The company also announced safety and security advancements in its spirit division, Varsity Spirit.
DTLR Names SVP of Marketing and Community Engagement
Lifestyle retailer DTLR, which has over 250 stores in 21 states, promoted Antonio Gray to senior vice president of marketing and community engagement. Gray previously served as the VP of apparel.
Puma Appoints New VP Direct-To-Consumer
Erik Janshento leads Puma’s DTC business, which includes owned and operated stores, puma.com, and several online marketplaces. He replaced Karthik Balagopalan, appointed managing director of Puma India in 2023, who has led Puma’s DTC business on an interim basis since then.
Nordstrom, Inc. Plans to Open Another New Rack Store in Houston Next Spring
The 30,000-square-foot store will open in the Westchase Shopping Center, which includes Whole Foods and Target. Today, Nordstrom operates eight Nordstrom stores and 21 Nordstrom Rack stores in Texas.
Revolve Group Acquires French Couture House Alexandre Vauthier
Before the acquisition, Revolve stocked the designer’s label as part of its FWRD platform. Having trained at Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier prior to launching his label in 2008, Alexandre Vauthier has since garnered a cult following.
Birkenstock Employees and Majority Investor Selling 14M Shares
The company, which went public in October 2023, plans to sell 14 million shares in a secondary public offering of the BIRK shares. The shares will be sold by L Catterton and Birkenstock employees.
Amazon’s Annual Prime Day Returns in July
Over the course of last year, Amazon customers saved nearly $24 billion from deals and coupons—with Prime members enjoying the vast majority of those savings—including over $2.5 billion during Prime Day 2023,
UK Retail Sales Rebound in May
Retail sales in the United Kingdom rose 2.9 percent in May, up from a revised 1.8 percent fall in April, the Office for National Statistics said.
Target Corporation Shifts Senior Merchant and Marketing Roles
Christina Hennington, currently chief growth officer, has been named chief strategy and growth officer, Rick Gomez has been appointed chief commercial officer, and Lisa Roath, current CMO, will take on the role of chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty,
Fleet Feet Opens in North Augusta, SC
The store is the second for owners and operators Michael and Jenafer McCauley, who opened their first store in Augusta, GA, 15 years ago.
Sports Direct Owner Acquires Luxury Website
Frasers, the U.K.-based parent of Sports Direct, has acquired Coggles, an online seller of designer fashion, from THG as part of a multi-year partnership that also includes Frasers using THG’s technology in some parts of its business.
Nike Faces Shareholder Lawsuit Over DTC Strategy
A Nike, Inc. shareholder has filed a securities class action in the District of Oregon’s Portland division, claiming the company misled investors about the financial effects of prioritizing direct-to-consumer sales. Plaintiffs are seeking class-action status, an unspecified amount in damages and a jury trial.
Report: Retail Sales Show Signs of Stabilization in May
The latest report from Circana reveals that U.S. retail sales, encompassing discretionary general merchandise and consumer packaged goods (CPG), have experienced a 1 percent growth, with consumers adapting their spending habits in response to moderating price pressures.
Athleta Hires Former Nike Exec to Lead Design
Athleta has hired Tania Flynn, formerly VP of apparel design at Nike, as head of design.
Allbirds Completes Distributor Deals for Benelux, Scandinavia and Japan
Footwear brand finalizes agreements that will cover Benelux and Scandinavia. Japan Region transitioned to Goldwin, Inc.
