SGB Update Footwear

Foot Locker’s Debt Ratings Lowered by S&P

S&P Global Ratings downgraded the debt ratings of Foot Locker, Inc. following the sneaker giant’s report of weaker-than-expected second-quarter earnings amid elevated promotional activity and weak consumer demand.

Golden Goose Sales Increased 21 Percent in First Half

Golden Goose reported sales of €276.4 million ($295 mm) in the first half, up 21 percent year-over-year. The Italian sneaker maker’s sales were up 65 percent over the first half of 2021.

HeyDude Faces $1.95 Million Fine from FTC

HeyDude will pay $1.95 million in fines over allegations they misled customers by only allowing positive reviews to appear on its website. Crocs said the violations primarily occurred prior to the acquisition.

August Retail Sales Growth Moderates; Sporting Goods Trends Down

August sales were up in five out of nine retail categories on a yearly basis, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Circana reported flat sales growth year-over-year for their categories while the NRF and USCB saw sales up 3.3 percent for the period.

Deloitte Forecasts Softer Holiday Sales, Double-Digit E-Commerce Growth

Holiday sales in the U.S. are estimated to grow 3.5 percent to 4.6 percent between November and January, slowing from the 7.6 percent increase seen in 2022, according to Deloitte’s annual holiday retail forecast. The moderation reflects less inflation but also weaker consumer spending.

Lululemon Athletica Appoints New Board Member

Shane Grant has been the group deputy CEO, CEO Americas, and EVP of dairy, plant-based and global sales at Danone, a global food and beverage company, since January 2023.

Major League Pickleball and PPA Tour to Merge

The operators of the two major pickleball leagues, Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour agreed to merge. The companies will remain distinct, but the merger aims to eliminate scheduling conflicts and competition over players.

Report: Online Prices Reach 40-Month Low in August

U.S. online prices in August 2023 fell 3.2 percent YoY, reaching their lowest in 40 months, led by a drop in sporting goods, down 7 percent YoY, according to the latest data from the Adobe Digital Price Index, based on Adobe Analytics. This made August 2023 the 12th consecutive month of overall YoY price decreases.