Report: U.S. Footwear Sales Slip in Q2 Despite Performance Footwear Growth
U.S. footwear industry sales revenue was down 5 percent in the second quarter to $10.3 billion, versus Q2 2022, according to Circana. Declines in leisure and fashion categories were offset by gains in performance footwear.
Academy Sports To Open Store in Fredericksburg, VA
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will open its first store in Fredericksburg, VA, in the fall of 2023; this is the retailer’s second store in Virginia. The store’s footprint is over 77,000 square feet.
LVMH to Sponsor 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
Luxury brand giant LVMH signed on as a premium partner for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games with its jeweler Chaumet designing the medals and fashion brands Louis Vuitton, Dior, Berluti and Sephora, as well as its Moët Hennessy wines and spirits division marketed during the games.
Paramount Headwear Rebrands to Imperial
Paramount Apparel International rebranded itself and introduced Imperial as its new corporate name. Paramount acquired the Imperial golf headwear brand in late 2012. This change reflects its commitment to the Imperial flagship brand.
Nextorch Opens Seattle Distribution Center
Nextorch Industries reported opening a new U.S. distribution center in Tukwila, WA, to service the U.S. market and reduce lead times for dealers.
Life Time’s Q2 Profits Surge
Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. raised its earnings guidance for the year after reporting a profit against a loss in the second quarter ended June 30 as adjusted operating earnings grew 115 percent. Revenue gained 21.8 percent.
Asics North America Names VP of U.S. Sales
Asics North America hired industry veteran Michael Dougherty as vice president of U.S. sales, effective immediately. He has over 15 years of global footwear industry experience, including at Clarks and New Balance.
Columbia Sportswear Company Hires Director of Strategic Accounts
Columbia Sportswear Company hired long-time Reebok and Adidas sales pro Dave Stellick as director of strategic accounts.
Adidas Outdoor North America GM Departs
Michael Kadous, North America’s senior director and GM for Adidas Outdoor, Terrex and Five Ten since March 2019, exited the brand.
361 Degrees Expands Spain Distribution with VC Sport
361 Degrees International reported it tapped VC Sport as its distributor for the 361º brand in Spain. The company will initially distribute the 361º basketball shoes this summer and expand the range to include running and lifestyle categories in 2024.
Camping World Acquires Indiana RV Dealer
Camping World Holdings, Inc. reported that it will acquire Mount Comfort RV in Greenfield, IN. The dealer sells Forest River, Coachmen, Tiffin, Newmar, and Winnebago products.
Mountain Khakis Adds New Midwest Sales Agency
Mountain Khakis hired Ben Kiffmeyer and Round Lake Sales as its sales agency covering the Midwest region.
Gap, Inc. Appoints New Athleta CEO
Gap, Inc. hired Chris Blakeslee as president and CEO of Athleta, effective August 7. Most recently, he was president of sister companies Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas since 2017.
Report: Adidas Seeing Healthy Demand for Unsold Yeezy Product
Adidas has orders worth more than €508 million ($565 million) for 4 million pairs of unsold Yeezy shoes, exceeding the company’s “most optimistic forecast,” according to a new Financial Times report. Healthy demand for the first batch of online sales could help Adidas avoid a major write-down on its remaining stock.
Golf Rounds Played Climb in June
Rounds of golf played advanced 5.5 percent in June and are running up the same 5.5 percent for the first six months of 2023, according to Golf Datatech.
