SGB Update Footwear
Burton Adds Exec Hires to Drive Brand and Product Categories
The privately-owned snowboard manufacturing company, hired Jennifer Valentine as chief merchandising officer and Debbie Lee as chief marketing officer based in the company’s global headquarters in Burlington, VT.
Tilly’s Inc. Appoints PacSun Veteran to Board of Directors
Michael Relich has over 40 years of experience in retail, with an emphasis on systems and information technology. Most recently, Relich served as the co-CEO of PacSun.
Columbia’s Chief Digital Information Officer Exits
Columbia said it would launch a search for Skip Potter’s replacement. In the interim, EVP and CFO Jim Swanson will oversee the company’s digital technology department.
Report: 2024 Holiday Online Spending Sets New Record; Sporting Goods Up Big
Strong discounts this season also drove consumers to purchase higher-ticket items in categories such as electronics, appliances and sporting goods. The share of units sold for the most expensive goods was up 54 percent in sporting goods.
Dr Martens Creative Director Darren Mckoy Exits Company
The designer’s announcement comes as company sales have declined and it prepares for new leadership. Ije Nwokorie is set to take the CEO role following the exit of former CEO Kenny Wilson, who said he would step down at the end of 2024. Nwokorie was, most recently, Dr. Martens’ chief brand officer.
Boa and 5.11 Parent Compass Diversified Starts Year with Board Shuffle
Gordon M. Burns will not be standing for re-election at the company’s 2025 annual shareholders meeting due to other commitments. Nancy B. Mahon has been appointed chair of the Board’s Nominating Committee, replacing Mr. Burns.
Report: Holiday Retail Return Rate Jumps 28 Percent as U.S. Sales Reach $282B
Salesforce is reporting that the data in its system shows that holiday retail sales surged to a record $1.2 trillion globally and $282 billion in the United States, but high returns could dampen retailer overall profit margins.
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.
