SGB Update

Caleres Names First Chief Design & Product Officer

The company promoted Natelle Baddeley to the role with creative oversight for the majority of the Caleres brand portfolio, including Naturalizer, Vionic, Dr. Scholl’s, Veronica Beard, Vince, Franco Sarto, Blowfish Malibu and LifeStride.

Macy’s Appoints New CEO of Bloomingdale’s

Macy’s, Inc. named Olivier Bron as its next chief executive officer of Bloomingdale’s. Most recently, he was the CEO of Central Group’s Central and Robinson Department Stores in Thailand and previously COO of French retail group Galeries Lafayette.

NRF Now Sees 2023 Retail Sales at Low End of Earlier Forecast

The March forecast called for 2023 retail sales to increase between 4 percent and 6 percent over 2022; however, the Fed’s interest rate increases slowed the economy and the NRF believes there is a good chance that sales will end up in the lower range of the forecast, if not lower.

Li & Fung’s Debt Outlook Lowered by Moody’s and S&P

Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings both lowered their debt ratings outlooks on Li & Fung to negative from stable due to Hong-Kong-based sourcing giant’s deteriorating performance in recent quarters and challenged recovery prospects.

Saucony Names New VP of U.S. Sales

Saucony, a division of Wolverine Worldwide, Inc., appointed Chris Deschenes as vice president of U.S. sales. Most recently, he was the vice president of sales for the company’s Wolverine Kids Group.

Volvik USA Announces New Leadership Team

Volvik USA, Inc., the golf ball manufacturer based in Orlando, reported it named Pete Kinney president and John Holst as president of sales

Nebraska Sports Card Retailers Merge Operations

Rickley Sports Cards, LLC, a sports card and memorabilia shop, has completed the acquisition of a sports card shop Perfect 10 Card Company.  Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed.

Foot Locker’s Debt Ratings Downgraded by Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Foot Locker, Inc.’s debt ratings, reflecting Moody’s view that Foot Locker’s earnings and cash flow are likely to remain pressured for an extended period, given the execution risk associated with implementing its Lace Up plan transformation initiatives in a challenging consumer spending environment.