Journeys generated a 2 percent sales increase in the fourth quarter to $473.7 million but saw a 27 percent decline in group operating income to $58.4 million as the Genesco-owned retail chain was unable to replenish key inventory after a strong start to the holiday season.

After testing a new prototype store in 2021 that was designed to enhance the shopping experience and present more in-demand brands and styles, Famous Footwear, the Caleres-owned retail chain, intends to open 10 additional prototype stores over the next several months.

Coming out of 2021 where its currency-neutral sales in North America increased 17 percent to the equivalent of $5.57 billion, Adidas is moving forward with plans to introduce new products on a weekly basis and open 20 “halo” stores across the continent to elevate...

The operator of 1,096 Hibbett Sports and City Gear stores across 35 states is hopeful supply chain constraints will ease as 2022 (FY23) progresses and the timing of its inventory receipts become consistent and predictable.

The parent of the Durango, Rocky, Georgia Boot, XTRATUF and Muck Boot brands says its second U.S. distribution center in Reno, Nevada will be “fully functional” by the end of the first quarter, enabling the Nelsonville, Ohio company to better fulfill product orders for its various brands.

Snipes, the Cologne, Germany-based streetwear chain, controlled by family-owned Deichmann SE, is continuing to build out its U.S. store base. Last week, Snipes agreed to buy New England-based sneaker retailer Expressions for an undisclosed sum.

At least three major athletic brands have suspended sales in Russia following the country’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine late last month and some are vowing to donate funds to support relief efforts.

The Americas paced all regions for Puma in Q4 revenue growth, rising 31.3 percent in constant currency to equivalent of $969.7 million bolstered by gains in North America. Puma has been shifting inventories and resources from China to N.A. and has also been seeing strong increases in...

Foot Locker told investors last week that its longtime cozy relationship with Nike (which is laser focused on its DTC/Digital strategy) is evolving, a factor that will force the international retailer to further diversify its assortment with more merchandise from other vendors.

During the first Allbirds earnings call since its Nov. 2021 IPO, the San Francisco company last week announced its intention to test the U.S. wholesale market with placement in premium locations and a focus on Allbirds products for entry-level runners.

Crocs intends to hit an annual sales target of $6 billion in 2026. More immediately, the company, expected to close on its Heydude acquisition shortly, is forecasting more than 20 percent topline growth in 2022 to more than $2.75 billion.

Fila and Krost are expanding their partnership with a new premium capsule collection that includes men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and the latest iterations of the unisex KROST x FILA Renno shoe. The term “Friends” and KROST’s “Support Your Friends” moniker appear throughout the capsule.

Under Armour reported an 8.9 percent revenue increase to $1.53 billion in the final period as operating income improved 54 percent to $86.1 million. The company spent an estimated $200 million on marketing during the holiday season quarter.

Driven by a 31 percent increase in annual global performance running sales, Asics generated revenues of more than ¥400 billion for the first time in four years in 2021. Net sales for 2021 rose 22.9 percent to ¥404.0 billion ($3.68 bn) as both China and North America posted increases of 30 percent.

Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle told analysts last week that the Sorel brand will be the company’s fastest-growing brand in 2022 with a sales increase approaching 30 percent as the label continues its pivot away from being a purely winter brand.

Parent Deckers Outdoor, which continues to navigate a difficult logistics environment that is forcing it to spend upwards of $100 million this fiscal year on air freight and carry more inventory than typical, realized topline growth from its two largest brands in the period ended Dec. 31.

Coming out of a record Q4 in terms of total sales, Skechers says it’s continuing with a go-forward strategy that will help the 30-year-old company achieve $10 billion in annual revenues within the next four years.

The North Face, getting ready to welcome Nicole Otto as its new global brand president this summer to replace the retiring Steve Murray, surpassed $1 billion in quarterly sales for the first time in Q3 with 27 percent global revenue growth to $1.2 billion, parent VF Corp. reported.

Jacksonville, FL-based outdoor retailer Black Creek Outfitters, owned and operated by Joe Butler III, will commence a going-out-of-business sale tomorrow (Feb. 3). It follows the conclusion of a family sale of its lakeside retail property that began in Sep. 2021.

Rod Johnson, the founder and owner of Midwest Mountaineering, who described himself as a “long-haired hippie with no credit and no formal business education” when he started the business out of his kitchen in 1970, has begun a search for his Minneapolis-based specialty store’s potential new owner.

Tecovas, a six-year-old, direct-to-consumer western brand with a portfolio of 20 retail stores, has secured $56 million in Series C funding led by Elephant. Other participating investors in the round were Access Capital, Seamless Capital, and Kemmons Wilson Companies.

Comfort footwear brand Aerosoles is being acquired by American Exchange Group (AEG). The transaction for the assets of Aerosoles, announced Jan. 19 without specific financial details, adds a 31st brand to AEG’s portfolio that includes owned, private label and licensed footwear and accessories.

Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, the national organization focused on independent specialty retail, reports that its retail members generated a 29 percent increase in 2021 sales that included a 22 percent gain in Q4 and 18 percent in the prior quarter.

The final quarter of 2021 proved problematic for the U.S. athletic footwear segment. Overall revenues grew in the mid-single digits despite a rough period for major brands. According to NPD’s Matt Powell, the Nike and Jordan brands posted sales drops of about 10 percent in Q4...

In the same week the ecommerce behemoth Amazon announced its latest traditional brick-and-mortar effort with its first Amazon Style store, the international French sporting goods giant Decathlon said it would again alter its U.S. strategy by exiting its three California stores in...