JD Sports uses AR in US; Safilo sales fall; Marimekko at CFW; Revlon new CEO; Boot Barn results

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
August 7, 2023

Zero10’s proprietary VTO technology has been brought to the sports arena for the first time via an AR integration with JD Sports. The collaboration marks the debut of JD Sports’ in-store use of AR try-on technology, featuring apparel from its Need it Now campaign.

Zero10’s AR Mirror is now available at JD Sports’ New York and Chicago flagship stores for a limited time. In addition to providing digital try-ons, it will introduce a new feature that allows customers to initiate purchases from the AR Mirror screen. Zero10 has also worked with fashion brands Tommy Hilfiger in the EU and Coach in the US for the integration of the AR Mirror in their stores. The mirror is powered by a supercomputer that runs complex computer vision models in real time and renders clothing in 4k resolution. 

Eyewear giant Safilo has posted a 6.6% drop in Q2 net sales at constant exchange rates on weakness in North America market and in the former Grand Vision business in Europe. The company holds licenses for Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger among others and said net sales fell to €263 million from €288.3 million, while adjusted core profit dropped 18.6% to €24.9 million. But while net sales from April to June in North America were down 15% year on year, the Asia Pacific region saw a 36% bounce-back.

Marimekko will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its Unikko print at Copenhagen Fashion Week with an open-for-all fashion show on 9 August and has also announced the opening of a flagship store in Copenhagen this autumn. It will present its SS24 collection, echoing the annual public fashion shows it stages in Helsinki. The new store will represent its “latest, dynamic concept that embodies the brand’s optimistic and creative lifestyle philosophy. The store will act as a platform for inspiring visual activations and events as well as a creative hub for Marimekko’s community”. It said Copenhagen is “one of the key cities in the global fashion and design industry and has a wider impact on building brand awareness and positioning also extending to other markets in Europe”.

Revlon Group Holdings has named Elizabeth (Liz) A Smith as interim CEO. She’s served as executive chair of the board since May and will continue in that role. She previously ran Bloomin’ Brands and had been chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and president of Avon Products. Debra Perelman is stepping down from her role as president and CEO and will serve as an advisor to the company for a transition period. In May of this year, Revlon emerged from a financial restructuring with approximately $236 million of liquidity.

America’s Boot Barn Holdings said Q1 net sales increased 4.9% to $383.7 million, cycling 19.4% net sales growth in the prior-year period. But same store sales fell 2.9% as e-commerce sales fell almost 11%. Net income was $34.3 million compared to $39.3 million in the prior-year period.