Roots CEO Exits as Buyout Closes; FTC Turns Up Heat on Retail Pricing

By James Calloway

Roots CEO Meghan Roach stepped down Monday, the same day the Canadian retailer completed its go-private transaction with Marquee Brands, the deal it agreed to in August. Roach, who joined Roots as interim CFO in 2019 and became CEO in 2020, will stay on as an adviser.

"With the transaction complete, this is the right moment for me to step aside," Roach said in a statement. "I have every confidence in the team's ability to carry the brand forward, and I am excited about the future of the company."

Her exit caps a leadership run that spanned the pandemic years and the sale process. The question now is who steers the heritage brand under Marquee's ownership.

What's driving Brooks' 13-quarter growth streak?

Brooks, the privately held running brand, said Thursday it posted its 13th consecutive quarter of revenue growth, with gains in global performance running and U.S. premium performance running footwear in the third quarter.

The numbers stack up fast:

• Revenue up 12% for the nine months through September
• Americas up 9%; Asia-Pacific up 9%; Europe, Middle East and Africa up 24%
• Footwear up 11%; apparel up 18%
• No. 1 market position in specialty retail maintained in Q3

"As we expand the Brooks brand globally, we're constantly pushing ourselves to rethink what's possible — in our products, in the experiences we create, and in the ambitions we pursue alongside runners," CEO Dan Sheridan said in a statement. "Our results through the first three quarters of 2026 reflect the momentum that comes from that mindset and the incredible work of our teams around the world."

Europe is the standout: 24% growth there is roughly double the pace of the Americas. Plain words: Brooks isn't just growing, it's growing fastest where it's smallest.

How big does Aritzia plan to get?

Aritzia projects a compound annual growth rate as high as 17% over its next five years, with revenue of at least $6.8 billion by 2032 — more than double its most recent annual figure.

The plan includes:

• 12 to 14 new stores annually
• 5 to 7 store repositionings annually
• A denim line revamp next year
• Expansion into categories like handbags and beauty

That's a store-a-month cadence plus category bets. For a retailer of Aritzia's size, the denim and handbag pushes are the pieces to watch.

Why is the FTC focused on pricing now?

The Federal Trade Commission made two moves this week that put retail pricing strategies squarely in its sights.

On Monday, the FTC joined 20 states in suing Dollar General over allegedly deceptive pricing practices. The complaint cited consumer objections to higher-than-expected prices at registers and detailed an undercover federal investigation. Dollar General said in a statement it aims for complete pricing accuracy but that "occasional price discrepancies" can occur.

Then on Wednesday, the FTC sent orders to nine companies — including Walmart and Target — demanding details to assess whether "pricing for a ticket, ride share, food delivery or other product or service varies from one person to the next" based on analysis of personal data from artificial intelligence and more.

The timing matters. The scrutiny lands as consumers and retailers head into the holiday season on edge, and marketers at any company using personalized pricing logic should expect the inquiries to keep coming.

One more thing: Fancy Feast made 25 handbags

Fancy Feast produced only 25 copies of The Little Gem, a tiny limited-edition bag inspired by its white cat, designed by Susan Alexandra and worn by TV personality Paige DeSorbo. Each bag is handmade with embroidered beadwork, and a sweepstakes launched Wednesday offers a chance to win one. With Alexandra already selling cat-themed bags like the "Meow Meow," the pairing fits — and scarcity makes these collectibles from day one.