US sportswear retailer Foot Locker — acquired by DICK’S Sporting Goods in September 2025 — has appointed Matthew Barnes as President of Foot Locker International, effective 3 December. Barnes will report directly to Ed Stack, Executive Chairman of DICK’S, who oversees Foot Locker’s global operations.
In his new role, Barnes will lead Foot Locker’s brick-and-mortar and online businesses across Europe, Asia and Australia, as well as the company’s licensed store network in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Foot Locker currently operates 50 stores in the UK and more than 2,400 globally. Barnes will be responsible for driving strategic growth, accelerating business momentum and executing targeted turnaround strategies.
Barnes brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience across the UK, Europe, the US, China and Australia. He began his career at Aldi as an Area Manager and went on to hold several senior roles, including Group CEO and Member of the International Executive Board of Aldi Süd. He also served as CEO of Tesco UK, guiding major consumer-facing businesses through significant periods of growth and transformation.
Ed Stack said the company was “thrilled to welcome Matthew Barnes” to the Foot Locker leadership team as it works to restore the business “to where it belongs at the top of our industry” and position it for its next phase of global expansion. He described Barnes as an ideal leader, citing his “proven tenure working with prominent global brands to transform and grow their businesses.”
Barnes said he was “honoured to join Foot Locker,” a brand with strong global recognition, at a “pivotal and exciting time for the sports retail industry.” He added that, with a personal passion for sports, he looked forward to collaborating with the leadership team and the “talented Foot Locker Stripers and team members” to bring innovative experiences and exciting new products to consumers worldwide.
Lauren Hobart, President and CEO of DICK’S, said Barnes was a “highly accomplished global retail executive” with long-standing familiarity with Foot Locker’s key international markets. She said his expertise would be invaluable in delivering growth and generating value for customers, brand partners, employees and shareholders.
