It’s been another week with far more retail news than there is time in the day. Below, we break down some things you may have missed during the week and what we’re still thinking about.
From Bross Pro Shops partnering with the Army & Air Force Exchange to Build-A-Bear Workshop’s National Teddy Bear Day, here’s our closeout for the week.
What you may have missed
Former Puma employee rejoins to lead marketing in North America
Tara McRae, who was an “integral part” of Puma’s North America marketing team from 2006 to 2016, rejoined the company last Friday as senior vice president of brand strategy and marketing for North America. She reports to North America President Bob Philion and is a member of the brand’s senior leadership team in the region. McRae most recently spent four years as global chief marketing officer and digital officer of Clarks, where she led marketing strategy, creative direction, e-commerce, digital strategy and brand partnerships, according to a company press release emailed to Retail Dive.
In her new role at Puma, McRae will be responsible for driving profitable growth and improving brand equity, as well as overseeing brand and marketing strategies more broadly across all of Puma’s North America channels. In addition to working with the brand strategy team, McRae will also focus on entertainment and basketball marketing, “given their importance” and influence in North America. The appointment comes as Puma plots a design and marketing space in Los Angeles to help it win share in the U.S.
A little over a year ago, Puma restructured its marketing organization, moving the department from Boston to the company’s headquarters in Germany. But Puma specified at the time that its North America team would retain responsibility for local sports marketing. Puma’s brand chief also left in that shakeup, and Puma has rebuilt its marketing department since then, naming a new head of global brand strategy in February.
“Tara will be instrumental in shaping our brand and marketing strategies in North America, delivering on our mission to push sport and culture forward,” Philion said in a statement. “Her proven track record in understanding the consumer and brand elevation will be invaluable for us as we amplify our FOREVER.FASTER. mantra and drive the next chapter of growth for the region.”
Under Armour taps another Adidas vet for key role
Under Armour continued to build out its leadership team this week, with the appointment of Franck Denglos as vice president of commercial for its Europe, the Middle East and Africa division. Denglos, who spent over 25 years at Adidas, will oversee all sales channels in the region, including wholesale, e-commerce, retail and distributors. His focus will be “accelerating growth and expanding Under Armour’s presence in the region,” according to a company press release.
Denglos, who started on Sunday, held a variety of roles at Adidas over the years, the last of which was president of Adidas Italy. He joins just a month after another Adidas veteran, Eric Liedtke, was named executive vice president of brand strategy. Liedtke likewise spent over 25 years at Adidas, including several leading brand strategy, and joined Under Armour as Chief Consumer Officer Jim Dausch departed. These appointments are two of many over the past year and a half or so, including a new chief product officer, head of the Americas, chief design officer and, of course, the return of Kevin Plank as CEO.
Denglos’ appointment represents the brand’s “commitment to bringing in world-class talent that drives our business forward,” according to Kevin Ross, Under Armour’s managing director of EMEA. “With his proven ability to lead and his sharp understanding of our business landscape, I’m confident he’ll take our commercial success to the next level.”
AAFES to offer Bass Pro merch in online store
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service will offer Bass Pro Shops merchandise to U.S. military-affiliated shoppers tax-free at its online store, ShopMyExchange.com by the end of this year.
In a Tuesday announcement, the Exchange said the collaboration is part of an initiative to add more national brands to its offering. Since 2022, the retailer has added appliances from The Home Depot, Sunglass Hut merchandise, and apparel from Gap and Old Navy to its online store.
“We can never adequately thank our nation’s heroes for the sacrifice shown in service to our great country [and] we are all deeply grateful for what they do every day to protect the freedoms we are blessed to enjoy here in the USA,” said Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris. “To be named the official outdoor gear provider for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service makes this one of the proudest days in the history of our company.”
Retail therapy
Barbie gets a job at Krispy Kreme!
For Barbie’s 65th anniversary this year, Krispy Kreme launched a collection of four doughnuts inspired by the iconic Mattel doll. The assortment features the Barbie Pink Doughnut, Malibu Dream Party Doughnut, Barbie Berries ’n Kreme Doughnut and the Barbie Sweet 65th Doughnut to honor the toy’s legacy.
Select grocery stores will offer a limited-time Barbie 6-pack box. Guests wearing pink can earn a free Original Glazed doughnut at Krispy Kreme shops on Saturday.
The company is also running social media and in-store giveaways for a limited quantity of exclusive Barbie and Krispy Kreme items. Among the prizes are a limited quantity of Barbie Fashionista dolls customized with Krispy Kreme accessories like its signature paper hat, a dozen box and a doughnut. The two will also give out adult-sized Barbie x Krispy Kreme denim jackets to winners.
Build-A-Bear celebrates National Teddy Bear Day with $9 bears
Build-A-Bear Workshop announced its annual $9 special for National Teddy Bear Day on Thursday. On Monday, the company will roll prices back to their original 1997 total and its philanthropic arm will donate over 10,000 teddy bears to kids in need. The Build-A-Bear Foundation set a 2024 goal to give 100,000 teddy bears away before the year’s end.
This year's offer features the Lil' Cub Brownie Teddy Bear and Lil' Cub Pudding Teddy Bear for $9. The company will also host in-store activities such as a meet-and-greet with the brand’s mascot Bearemy.
What we’re still thinking about
12.9%
That’s how much Shoe Carnival’s net sales increased during the second quarter, reaching $332.7 million. The retailer on Thursday also reported operating income grew about 22% year over year to $30.1 million, while net income grew 16.1% to $22.6 million.
Shoe Carnival raised its guidance for the year, expecting net sales to be between $1.23 billion and $1.25 billion (growing 5% to 6% from the prior year), compared to previous guidance of $1.21 billion to $1.25 billion. The company also expects comp sales to be down 1.5% to up 1% year over year, compared to down 3% to up 1%.
3.6%
That’s how much Kirkland’s Q2 net sales fell, reaching $86.3 million. The home retailer on Thursday reported its overall comparable sales fell 1.7%, which includes 1.8% year-over-year growth in store comps. The retailer also reported that its gross margin expanded 100 basis points to 20.5%.
"Our second quarter comparable sales results reflect a sequential improvement from the first quarter and continued progress against our strategic initiatives. Our merchandising and marketing plans have continued to drive traffic to our stores resulting in positive comparable sales performance in the channel helping to offset the headwinds we are experiencing with our e-commerce business,” CEO Amy Sullivan said in a statement.
The financial report came as Kirkland’s continues to explore strategic alternatives and work on its cost savings initiatives, which have included reducing corporate overhead, store payroll, marketing and third-party expenses.
What we’re watching
Bluemercury is on a blue streak
As part of the company’s 25th anniversary, Bluemercury on Wednesday announced a rebranded online experience. The company also announced the launch of Victoria Beckham Beauty and Anastasia Beverly Hills as partners, according to a company press release.
Bluemercury’s brand evolution, dubbed The New Blue, includes a revamped website with an “elevated” aesthetic, a new monogram “B” design, a blog and easy online navigation. The company is also overhauling its in-store retail design, which can currently be found in eight locations with “many more planned in the future.”
Bluemercury, which is part of Macy’s, recently achieved its 14th consecutive quarter of comp store sales growth.
