SGB Update Footwear

SportsShoes.com Expands Marketing and Design Teams
SportsShoes.com hired ten new employees within its brand marketing, social media and design departments to support business growth and development.

Strava Appoints Former Nike Exec as CEO
The company hired Michael Martin as CEO, replacing outgoing CEO, Michael Horvath. Martin will also join the Strava Board upon assuming the role on January 2, 2024. Currently, Martin serves as the GM of YouTube Shopping.

Kyrie Irving Joins Kicks Crew as Equity Shareholder, Chief Community Officer
Irving’s role as chief community officer is also expected to showcase a “cause-driven, community-centric approach, empowering new brands and collaborations that blend art and basketball in new ways.”

CNBC/NRF: Strong Retail Sales Gain for First Half of Holiday Season
According to CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, the holiday shopping season began with a strong start in November as retail sales with total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gas, up 0.77 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 4.24 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Macy’s Receives $5.8 Billion Buyout Offer
An investor group consisting of Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital made a $5.8 billion offer to take Macy’s private, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Levi Strauss Moves Toward CEO Transition in 2024
CEO Chip Bergh announced his retire from the company effective April 26, 2024. Michelle Gass, company president, will succeed Bergh as president and CEO, effective January 29, 2024.

NRF: Imports Peaked in October, Volume Expected to Increase in 2024
Inbound cargo volume at the major container ports in the U.S. will continue to slow during the final weeks of 2023 after peaking later than expected in the fall, according to the Global Port Tracker* report released by the NRF and Hackett Associates.

NRF: Economy Delivers “Vigorous Growth” Despite Slowdown
According to the National Retail Federation’s Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, after a challenging year, the economy remains healthy despite slowing.

Lululemon’s Q3 Earnings Dip On Charge Tied to Mirror Shutdown
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. reported earnings declined slightly due to a charge related to its move to discontinue its Mirror platform as part of a new partnership with Peloton. Excluding the charge, earnings and sales topped guidance for the third straight quarter and Lululemon again lifted its outlook for the year.

Tanger Acquires First Open-Air Lifestyle Center
Tanger acquired Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville, AL for $193.5 million using cash on hand and available liquidity. Management expects the center to deliver a first-year return in the mid-eight percent range, with potential for additional growth over time.

ICSC Board of Trustees Elects New 2024 Chair and Vice Chair
The ICSC Board of Trustees elected Jim Taylor, president & CEO, Brixmor Property Group, to serve as ICSC’s chairman and Angele Robinson-Gaylord, SVP, store development americas, Starbucks, to serve as vice chairman for the 2024 term.

Lands’ End Posts Wider Q3 Loss on Double-Digit Sales Decline
Third quarter net revenue decreased 12.5 percent to $324.7 million and the net loss was $112.4 million, or $3.52 loss per diluted share, compared to net loss of $4.7 million, or 14 cents loss per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2022.

FWV Sells CGPR to Integrated Travel and Recreation Marketing Firm
Off Madison Ave acquired PR Agency CGPR from French/West/Vaughan (FWV), the Raleigh, NC-based marketing agency that acquired the company in February 2020. CGPR is the fifth merger and acquisition by Off Madison Ave since 2005.

Kizik Amends Credit Facility to Support Growth
Kizik secured an amendment of its credit facility with JPMorgan Chase that provides enhanced financial flexibility to support expansion into new distribution channels, including company-owned retail stores, U.S. wholesale and international markets.

Golden Goose’s Debt Rating Outlook Upgraded by Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service changed its debt ratings outlook on Golden Goose S.p.A. to positive from stable due to the Italian luxury sneaker maker’s strong performance in 2023 and its solid credit metrics.