SGB Update Footwear

Christy Sports Appoints Chief Marketing Officer

The retailer hired Danielle Quatrochi as chief marketing officer. In 2015, Quatrochi was honored as an SGB 40 Under 40 recipient when she worked as the VP of digital at The Finish Line, Inc. She also spent nearly ten years working at Nike.

Canada Goose Appoints New CFO 

Neil Bowden, Canada Goose deputy CFO, will move into the CFO role when current CFO Jonathan Sinclair moves to president, APAC region, both effective April 1, 2024.

U.S. Consumer Confidence Drops for Third Consecutive Month

The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index fell to 102.6 in October from an upwardly revised 104.3 in September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index slipping to 100.0 from the previously reported 103.0

Brooks Running Eyes Return to Double-Digit Growth In 2024

Brooks Running’s global revenue grew 5 percent in the first nine months of 2023, with North America revenue increasing 7 percent. The Seattle, WA-based running brand, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, reported it “remains the leading running footwear brand across U.S. retail and forecasted a return to double-digit growth in 2024.”

Canada Goose Slashes Outlook On Spending Slowdown

Canada Goose reported earnings topped guidance in the fiscal second quarter ended October 1, but slashed its outlook for the fiscal year as sales slowed “noticeably” in September. The company said, “Increasingly challenging global macro-economic and geopolitical environments that have impacted consumer decision-making and prioritization of spend.”

Big 5 Sporting Goods Sees Q3 Profits Miss Plan, Warns on Weak Holiday Quarter

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. reported earnings were slightly below guidance in the second quarter ended October 1 as same-store sales dropped 8.2 percent on weak discretionary spending. The California-based chain further predicted same-store sales in the fourth quarter will decline in the high single-digit to low double-digit range.

Discount Brand Dream Pairs Set to Take on Brick & Mortar

After building its brand on Amazon and elsewhere online, Dream Pairs, under the banner of Miracle Miles Footwear Group ,Inc., has reportedly closed on a $100 million Series A funding round to assist it in building out brick-and-mortar.

Former Academy Sports CEO Joins Guitar Center as Chairman

Guitar Center Holdings, Inc. appointed Ken Hicks, executive chairman of Academy Sports and Outdoors and former CEO, as Board Chair. Guitar Center also named Gabriel Dalporto its new CEO and rehired Tim Martin as CFO.

Canadian Tire Exploring Alternatives for Financial Services Business

Canadian Tire Corp. said it bought back Scotiabank’s 20 percent stake in its financial services arm in a cash transaction valued at C$895 million ($647.14 mm) and is reviewing alternatives for its financial services arm. The moves were made in part to better support its loyalty program.

REI’s Unionized Stores Face Worker Protests Over Weekend

REI workers held coordinated actions at eight unionized stores this past weekend with the union indicating the actions were in response to the retailer’s decision to restructure jobs and working conditions in all of its stores.