SGB Update

Gymshark To Restructure As It Preps For U.S. Expansion

Gymshark could lay off as many as 10 percent of its workforce in an overhaul of the online-only retailer according to reports. The Financial Times reported that the sportswear group also plans to create 100 new jobs as it focuses on the lucrative U.S. market.

U.S. Ports Seeing Brief Slowdown From Last Year But Imports Remain High

The nation’s major retail container ports have begun to catch up with the backlog of cargo seen over the past several months but could experience another surge this summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation.

Fabletics Names Chief Design And Merchandising Officer

El Segundo, CA-based Fabletics, announced that it hired Kelli Dugan as chief design and merchandising officer, responsible for product creation, including merchandising, design and planning. Dugan will also lead the ongoing global expansion of its business into men’s, loungewear and swim.

KKR Formalizes Offer For Accell Group

In a joint press release, Accell Group, the parent of Raleigh, Ghost, Haibike, and other bike brands, and a private consortium headed by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) recommended shareholders accept the all-cash offering for its shares for 1.56 billion euros ($1.76 billion).

Designer Brands Sets $4 Billion Goal For Fiscal 2026

Designer Brands, the parent of DSW, raised its EPS outlook for the current year and established a goal of reaching $4 billion in sales by fiscal 2026. The update comes as the company on Friday holds an Investor Day Event.

Progression Brands Group Names VP

Progression Brands Group (PBG) announced that Jeff Burkley had accepted the newly created position of vice president.  Burkley will be responsible for developing and leading commercial strategies across the company’s multi-brand portfolio, including Capranea Apparel, DAHU Ski Boots, Movement Skis, YNIQ Eyewear, and Crazy Apparel.

Unleashed Brands Names COO And EVP Of Strategy

Unleashed Brands, the franchiser of Urban Air, Snapology, The Little Gym and Premier Martial Arts, has hired Joe Luongo as chief operating officer and executive vice president of strategy.

NPD And IRI To Merge

The NPD Group (NPD) and Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) announced the signing of a definitive agreement to merge the two companies. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.

Levi Strauss’ Q1 Revenues Climb 22 Percent

Levi Strauss & Co. reported profits on an adjusted basis grew 34.9 percent in the first quarter ended February 27 as sales ran up 22 percent. Both earnings and sales topped Wall Street targets.