Tokyo Core Inflation Slows Below 2%, Complicating BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Strait of Hormuz Oil and LNG Shipments Disrupted After U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran 
Snowflake Forecasts Strong Fiscal 2027 Revenue Growth as Enterprise AI Demand Surges 
APEX Tech Acquisition Inc. Raises $111.97 Million in NYSE IPO Under Ticker TRADU 
Australian Dollar Rallies on Hawkish RBA Outlook; Yen Slips as BOJ Faces Political Pressure 
BlueScope Steel Shares Drop After Rejecting Revised A$15 Billion Takeover Bid 
Hyundai Motor Group to Invest $6.26 Billion in AI Data Center, Robotics and Renewable Energy Projects in South Korea 
Asian Stocks Rise on Nvidia Earnings Boost; Yen Weakens as BOJ Rate Outlook Clouds 
Netflix Stock Jumps 14% After Exiting Warner Bros Deal as Paramount Seals $110 Billion Acquisition 
OpenAI Hires Former Meta and Apple AI Leader Ruomin Pang Amid Intensifying AI Talent War 
FedEx Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Ruling 
China’s New Home Prices Post Sharpest Drop Since 2022 Amid Ongoing Property Slump 
FAA Plans Flight Reductions at Chicago O’Hare as Airlines Ramp Up Summer Schedules 
Paramount Skydance to Acquire Warner Bros Discovery in $110 Billion Media Mega-Deal 
Anthropic Refuses Pentagon Request to Remove AI Safeguards Amid Defense Contract Dispute 
IMF Urges U.S. to Cut Fiscal Deficit to Reduce Trade and Current Account Gaps 
Gap Inc. has named industry veteran Chris Blakeslee as Athleta's new CEO, intending to propel the women's activewear brand to greater heights. Blakeslee's retail and wellness expertise is anticipated to foster product innovation, accelerate growth, and support female empowerment initiatives.
Gap named Chris Blakeslee as Athleta's new president and chief. The company said it selected him to lead the company due to his extensive expertise and experience in the retail and wholesale of apparel. He is expected to drive growth in the company further using his know-how in the business.
As the new CEO, Blakeslee will also work on product innovation for Athleta's line while ensuring he will fulfill the mission of empowering girls and women through the brand's Power of She Fund, which aims to break barriers for all females.
As per Fashion United, Gap Incorporated's executive chairman and interim CEO, Bob Martin, commended Blakelee's leadership skills and remarkable track record in the wellness and active apparel segment. This makes him the most fitting person to manage Athleta and lead it toward sustainable growth by offering high-quality products and an exceptional digital and offline shopping experience.
"A true brand champion, Chris is known for driving results in high-growth businesses through the blend of creativity and operational rigor," Gap Inc. interim chief, Bob Martin, said in a press release. "Chris is a strong, decisive leader and proven business driver across multiple industries, including active apparel and wellness – one of the fastest and most aspirational retail sectors – making him well suited to guide Athleta into long-term, sustainable growth rooted in delivering high-quality performance product and a rich omni shopping experience."
Finally, the upcoming CEO, who will officially join the company on August 7, also commented, "I am thrilled to join the Gap Inc. team and to lead Athleta – a brand I have long admired. I see an incredible runway for the brand to capitalize on its unique, purpose-led positioning and performance product innovation, leveraging its assets across marketing, stores, product and community to deliver consistent growth."
