Two of the biggest trade shows in the active lifestyle industry took a hit this week. Emerald Expositions, the owner of the annual Interbike show, announced that the Interbike trade show will not take place in September 2019 in Reno, NV, as previously scheduled. The company also dismissed the show’s primary staff. Read more by clicking here.
Also, Outdoor Retailer on Wednesday announced that all three shows in 2019 will now span three days. Dates for Summer Market in June and Winter Market in November will be adjusted down from four days, while January’s Snow Show remains three days as scheduled. All three shows will be held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Read more by clicking here.
A consortium led by China’s Anta Sports made an offer to acquire Finland’s Amer Sports in a deal that values the company at €4.6 billion (US$5.23 billion) and Amer’s board is recommending shareholders approve the offer. The consortium plans to operate Amer Sports independently from Anta, with a separate board of directors. Read more by clicking here. And look for deeper analysis on the deal soon in SGB Executive.
Vail Resorts widened its loss in the first quarter but noted that season pass sales through December 2, 2018 for the upcoming 2018/2019 North American ski season increased approximately 21 percent in units and 13 percent in sales dollars.
The Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY) appointed John Heron as its new executive director, effective January 1.
ESL Investments Inc., run by Sears Holdings Corp.’s Chairman Eddie Lampert, has offered $4.6 billion to buy the bankrupt retailer.
Nike has appointed Tamika Curry Smith as its new VP of diversity and inclusion, according to a report from Black Enterprise.
Polartec announced the winners of its 2018 Polartec Apex Awards, an annual design award program celebrating the finest products made from Polartec fabrics.
Vasque announced the kick-off of the sixth season of the Thru-Hike Syndicate, a brand partner-powered program supporting a select group of thru-hikers attempting to complete the longest trails throughout North America.
Zumiez Inc. on Thursday reported total net sales for the third quarter ended November 3 (13 weeks) increased 1.2 percent to $248.8 million from $245.8 million in the quarter ended October 28, 2017 (13 weeks). Comparable sales for the 13 weeks ended November 3 increased 4.8 percent compared to a comparable sales increase of 7.9 percent for the 13 weeks ended October 28, 2017.
Fischer Sports GmbH, one of the world’s largest ski manufacturers, announced a restructuring of the U.S. subsidiary based in Auburn, NH effective immediately. Fischer global CEO Franz Foettinger assumes oversight of the U.S. organization in the wake of the departure of former U.S. CEO, Ryan Leach.
At the 79th Annual Two Ten Gala in New York, Skechers president Michael Greenberg was given Two Ten Footwear’s most prestigious honor – the T. Kenyon Holly Award for his outstanding local, national and global humanitarian achievements for children.
Tactical apparel and gear brand 5.11 has opened a brick-and-mortar retail store in Indianapolis, IN, providing another building block to 5.11’s 2018 retail expansion goal of 50 company-owned retail stores.
Shopko confirmed that plans to close 39 of its 363 stores by the end of February. Bloomberg reported that the Wisconsin-based retailer was making preparations for a bankruptcy filing.
Amer Sports is in final negotiations regarding a merger with a consortium led by China’s Anta Sports, according to reports from Reuters and Bloomberg.
Genesco Inc. reported third-quarter earnings topped Wall Street’s consensus target as comps increased to their highest level in more than two years driven by the ongoing strength at Journeys and Johnston & Murphy.
The Buckle Inc. announced that comparable store net sales, for stores open at least one year, for the 4-week period ended December 1, 2018 decreased 0.6 percent
VF Corp. announced that Kontoor Brands Inc. will be the name of the independent, publicly traded company that will result from its previously announced separation of VF’s Jeanswear organization.
The inaugural Global Golf Innovation Competition, a new “Shark Tank”-style of competition for golf startups, was announced Wednesday for the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show, in Orlando, FL.
VF Corp. will open a new office in the heart of London’s Soho next Spring to help fuel growth in the U.K. market.
Moody’s assigned a Ba3 rating to a proposed $480 million senior secured term loan will be used by Callaway Golf Co. to fund the acquisition of Jack Wolfskin.
Mountain Khakis announced the recent promotion of Victoria Payne to CFO and vice president. Payne will lead all Mountain Khakis’ finance and operations activities.
Dolfin Swimwear announced the signing of U.S. National Team member, World Championship medalist, and 2020 Olympic prospect Zane Grothe as an endorser.
Marquee Brands LLC announced that it has acquired the Dakine brand and all related intellectual property.
Sixty-two employees quit in protest over Dick’s Sporting Goods’ change in its gun policies earlier this year, Ed Stack, the retailer’s chairman and CEO, said at a Wall Street Journal conference Tuesday.
Johnson Outdoors Inc. announced the appointment of William D. Perez as an independent director effective December 4, 2018.
Following the recent opening of its Saigon Showroom, ISA TanTec, an international eco-friendly leather manufacturer, reports on the progress of the further expansion of its existing tannery Saigon TanTec in Binh Duong province in order to meet the growing demand for its eco-friendly LITE leather.
Newell Brands Inc. commenced debt tender offers to purchase for cash of $1.5 billion in debt.
Roka Sports Inc., best known for its performance eyewear, announced its first Strava Challenge, the Roka Dirty 30.
Nike Inc. on Tuesday announced that Heidi O’Neill, president, Nike Direct, will expand her current role as leader of Nike physical retail stores and Nike.com to now include all Nike digital products, services and member experiences, effective immediately.
GoPro Inc. announced that the company enjoyed strong sell-through of its three-camera HERO7 lineup during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday period.
Moody’s Investors Service affirmed all ratings for Vista Outdoor Inc. following the company’s refinancing its unrated credit facility. The rating outlook remains negative.
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) has announced that Michael Waine, most recently a Fisheries Management Analyst with NOAA Fisheries, has joined the ASA staff as Atlantic Fisheries Policy Director.
Tilly’s Inc. on Tuesday announced revised financial results for the fiscal 2018 third quarter and year-to-date period ended November 3 in order to correct certain accounting entries relating to inventory under the retail method, which had accumulated over several fiscal periods, including the third quarter of fiscal 2018.
The National Hockey League’s board of governors on Tuesday voted to approve Seattle as the 32nd NHL Franchise for the 2021-22 season.
The Conservation Alliance board elected Strick Walker, chief marketing officer at Merrell, to serve on the organization’s board of directors. Walker was elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy left by Chaco President Seth Cobb.
Ascent360, a Golden-CO based software company with a focus outdoor-related companies, announced it has secured a Series A venture capital investment totaling $4.1 million.
Regarding the recent tariff news, Amy Roberts, executive director of Outdoor Industry Association, said: “OIA will continue to press the case that thousands of large and small retailers and manufacturers of outdoor products play a significant role in bolstering the U.S. economy and that U.S. trade policies should serve to help them continue to innovate and prosper.”
New Zealand-based Icebreaker opened a new Touch Lab in Bellevue, WA and re-open their Portland, OR flagship store.
The Missoula Marathon was again voted The Best Marathon in America, according to the 2018 edition of The BibRave 100. The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon won the Half Marathon category, AJC Peachtree Road Race again won the 10K, and the Allstate Hot Chocolate Chicago 5K won the 5K category.
A new executive leadership structure of Little League International was established following the annual fall meeting of the Little League International Board of Directors.
Another activist group, led by former senior executives at Wal-Mart and Vans, have launched a website, www.SaveBig5.com, and sent out a press release urging shareholders to vote for them to fill two vacant seats on Big 5 Sporting Goods’ board.
Performance Bicycle in an amended bankruptcy filing said Gordon Brothers, which was initially to liquidate 40 Performance Bicycle stores, has been retained to liquidate the chain’s remaining 62 stores. The chain’s owner indicated stores may be reopening as part of the restructuring.
Vail Resorts Inc. on Monday announced a long-term alliance with Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido, Japan, just 90 minutes from Sapporo and New Chitose Airport.
Julbo Eyewear, the French eyewear brand based in the Jura Mountains, has named David Crothers as the new CEO of U.S. operations.
The October 2018 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1 million represented a decrease of 11.2 percent compared to the October 2017 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1.13 million.
Fanatics announced an official retail and licensing partnership with Overwatch League. The multi-year deal is the first ever esports partnership for Fanatics.
Chip Wilson, Lululemon’s founder, is in talks to join Anta’s investment consortium in its bid for Amer Sports, according to a report from Bloomberg.
President Trump’s announcement, on Saturday, December 1, that he will not raise tariffs on Chinese-made products from 10 percent to 25 percent on Jan. 1, 2019, is welcome news for the sports and fitness industry, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
Crocs Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Blackstone Capital Partners VI L.P. and certain of its affiliates and transferees relating to the repurchase and conversion of the company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock owned by Blackstone.
According to Golf Datatech, golf rounds played in the U.S. tumbled 10.3 percent in October.
Lowa said that effective January 1, 2019, Alexander Nicolai will assume leadership of the Lowa’s operative business activities as the new chief executive officer. After heading Lowa for more than 25 years, Werner Riethmann will gradually begin to withdraw from daily business operations next year.
Nike earned Ad Age’s 2018 Marketer of the Year for its Just Do It campaign starring Colin Kaepernick and how it sparked conversations.
The Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) applauded the move by the Trump administration to suspend new trade tariffs.
American Apparel & Footwear Association President and CEO Rick Helfenbein said that AAFA is encouraged by the news of a 90-day cease fire in the U.S.-China trade war – following the meeting between President Trump and President Xi on the sidelines of the G20 in Argentina on Saturday.
RYU Apparel Inc., creators of urban athletic apparel, celebrates its flagship opening in Williamsburg with a capsule collection highlighting four local New York artists.
The National Retail Federation praised the Trump administration’s decision to hold off on tariff increases that were set to take effect January 2019.
Vans announced South African pro surfer Michael February’s global Vans footwear and apparel partnership.
