SGB Update Footwear
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.
Walmart Celebrates “Re-Grand Opening” of 117 Remodeled U.S. Stores
The re-grand opening project represents over a half a billion dollars in capital investments in local communities across 30 states.
QBP Drops DeFeet from Brand Stable; Sock Brand Will Not Add Reps
DeFeet is now entirely in-house with its sales team, employing no independent sales rep. The company distributes in-line products in the U.S. through its remaining domestic distribution partners and its DeFeet B2B platform.
Report: Decathlon Explores Sales of Minority Stake in China Business
Decathlon SA is working with advisors to explore the sale of a minority stake in its China business, sources told Bloomberg. The report indicated that the French retailer seeks a strategic partner to drive regional expansion.
VF Corp. Sees Continued Americas Weakness In U.S. in Q2 Tied to Vans Declines
The company also said that Kevin Bailey will be stepping down from his role as global brand president, Vans. He will remain on the Executive Leadership Team reporting to the CEO and will transition to lead Reinvent, the company’s business transformation plan. CEO Bracken Darrell will be more involved with Vans until a new brand president is found.
REI to Open in Beavercreek, OH
REI reported it will open a retail store in Beavercreek, OH, in spring 2024. The 23,000-square-foot space will operate in the Beavercreek Shopping Center at 2650 N Fairfield Road.
MEC Appoints New CEO
Canadian outdoor gear retailer MEC promoted COO Peter Hlynsky to CEO, succeeding Eric Claus, who led the retailer during the filing for creditor protection and sale to U.S.-based private investment firm Kingswood Capital Management.
Altra Running Hires Run Industry Vet as Director of Merchandising
Altra Running hired Samantha Terral as director of merchandising, effective immediately. Most recently, Terral was the digital/e-commerce manager at Saucony.
Fleet Feet Acquires Ultra Running Company
Fleet Feet expands its retail footprint further with the acquisition of Charlotte, NC-based Ultra Running Company. The store was rebranded to Fleet Feet Charlotte–Myers Park.
Deckers Raises Guidance On Hoka and Ugg Momentum, To Divest Sanuk
Powered by healthy double-digit growth from both Ugg and Hoka, Deckers Brands reported earnings jumped 75.9 percent in its fiscal second quarter ended September 30 on a sales jump of 24.7 percent while hiking its outlook for the fiscal year.
Columbia Sportswear Expects Sharp Decline in Q4 as Pull-Ahead Orders Boost Q3 Sales
Net sales are now expected to increase 0.5 percent to 2.0 percent for 2023, down from the previous range of 2.0 percent to 3.5 percent growth. Fourth quarter net sales are expected to decline 10 percent to 5 percent and the company is also forecasting a low-double-digit percent decline in wholesale net sales in first half 2024.
Skechers Lifts Annual Guidance On Q3 Beat
Skechers U.S.A. Inc. slightly raised its outlook for the year after reporting third-quarter EPS that came in well-above targets. Earnings in the third quarter jumped 69.3 percent on significant margin improvement. Revenues gained 7.8 percent revenue gain as a 23.8 percent increase in direct-to-consumer sales offset a slight decline at wholesale.
On Brand Opens Miami Store
Swiss-running brand On opened a store in Miami, marking the company’s continued retail expansion and fifth store in the U.S.
Tractor Supply Lowers Guidance On Below-Plan Q3 Revenues
Tractor Supply Company reported earnings improved 8.9 percent in the third quarter but sales came in softer than expected and the rural lifestyle retailer slightly lowered its outlook for the year. Same-store sales were off 0.4 percent due to declines in demand for seasonal goods and big-ticket items.
Grassroots Sees a “Return to Earth” for Specialty Heading into Fall Connect Show
Heading into the upcoming Grassroots Connect in November, GOA retailers reported a flattening of overall sales in the trailing 12 months prior to September, in what the specialty retailer organization is calling “an expected return to Earth.”
