June UK Indoor Retail Foot Traffic Down as Weather Pushes Shoppers Outside
The British Retail Consortium reported that June retail foot traffic (footfall) was down versus the comp period last year as the hot weather meant that people opted to enjoy the outdoors rather than spend time shopping inside.
Coats Launches New Footwear Division
Coats Group Plc created a new footwear division, Coats Footwear, after acquiring Texon and Rhenoflex in 2022.
NRF Sees Imports Building Toward August Peak Amid Labor Disruptions
The NRF said that despite a tentative contract agreement reached at West Coast ports, retailers are closely following labor disputes at the ports in Western Canada and a potential teamsters strike against United Parcel Service (UPS).
Camping World Holdings Acquires Wyoming RV Dealer
Camping World Holdings, Inc. is poised to acquire Sonny’s RVs in Casper, WY. The transaction will close in the fourth quarter of 2023, increasing the company’s RV locations in the state to two.
Hi Mountain Seasonings Appoints Assistant GM
Hi Mountain Seasonings promoted Brian Tucker to assistant general manager, effective immediately, reporting to company President and CEO Hans Hummel.
Hydro Flask Segment Sales Down in Q1 at Parent Company on Lower Club Sales
The Home & Outdoor segment decrease was said to be driven by a decline in the insulated beverage category and lower houseware sales due to a reduction in club channel programs and the impact of the Bed, Bath & Beyond bankruptcy.
GSM Outdoors Acquires D&J Plastics and Big Bite Baits
GSM Outdoors reported it acquired D&J Plastics and Big Bite Baits. The company did not disclose the terms of the deal.
Big Rock Sports Names VP Sales, Dealer Channel and New VP Merchandising
Big Rock Sports promoted Brad McNutt to VP of sales, dealer channel, and Ryan Link to VP of merchandising.
Crocs and Joybees Battle in Court Over Trade Secrets
Crocs filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado against Joybees, accusing the company and its chief executive of unfair competition. The filing came a day after Joybees filed claims with the Colorado Court against Crocs.
Rally House Opens Second Store in Arkansas
Rally House opened a store in Conway, AR, its second retail location in Arkansas, near the University of Central Arkansas campus.
DeFeet Moves Custom Sales to Inside Team
DeFeet reported that its custom sock sales process had returned to its inside sales team based in Hildebran, NC and that long-time sales reps Brad Mettee and Kerri Willerton were no longer with the company.
Neomouv Acquires Portuguese Bike Manufacturer Unibike
Neomouv, the French brand of e-bikes, announced the acquisition, via its parent company VAxE, of 80 percent of the capital of Unibike.
Woom Bikes USA Recalls Kids’ Bicycles
Woom Bikes USA, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), recalled all sizes of its Woom Original 2018 to 2021 model bikes. The bike’s stem and handlebar could detach and cause riders to lose control, posing a fall hazard.
U.S. Jobs Growth Continues to Slow
The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers added 209,000 jobs in June for the 30th consecutive month of job gains, but there was also a continued cooling in the labor market. The retail sector was the hardest hit, recording losses of about 11,000 jobs seasonally adjusted.
SilverSneakers Parent Names President and CEO
Tivity Health, Inc., the parent company of SilverSneakers, Prime Fitness, Burnalong, and WholeHealth Living, named Hill Ferguson president and chief executive officer.
