<span style="color: #616161;">The Week’s Top Headlines across the Active Lifestyle Industry as reported in SGB Updates during the week of March 9, 2020.
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»Kohl’s Postpones Investor Day Due To Coronavirus Spread | March 13
Kohl’s Corp. in a regulatory filing that it will postpone its investor day planned for Monday, March 16, as a coronavirus precaution. The retailer also noted that its certain categories “most affected by the virus” although it didn’t identify those categories. Read more
»Sequential Brands Suffers Q4 Sales Slide| March 13
Sequential Brands Group Inc., the parent of Avia, And1 and Gaiam, reported a loss in the fourth quarter as revenues slumped 31.3 percent. Read more
»Clarus Appoints EVP Of Operations And Talent | March 13
Corp. announced the appointment of Kelly Davis as executive vice president of operations and talent, effective March 26, 2020. Read more
»SFIA, NFHS, NCAA Team Sports Rules & Management Conference Postponed | March 12
The SFIA, NFHS and NCAA have decided to postpone the annual Team Sports Rules & Management Conference, scheduled to take place in Indianapolis on April 13 to 14, 2020 due to the coronavirus. Read more
»Fanatics Partners With Inter Miami CF | March 12
Inter Miami CF, Major League Soccer’s (MLS) new South Florida expansion franchise, and Fanatics announced a new, long-term, omnichannel retail partnership. Read more
»Smith & Wesson Appoints VP Of Sales | March 12
Smith & Wesson Inc. announced that industry veteran Sue Cupero has been promoted to the role of vice president, sales. Read more
»Tilly’s Q4 Earnings Slump | March 12
Tilly’s Inc. said a higher-than-expected decline in store traffic and comparable sales during the second and third weeks of December resulted in a disappointing fourth quarter. Read more
»Zumiez Q4 Earnings Jump 28 Percent | March 12
Zumiez Inc. reported fourth-quarter earnings rose 28.0 percent and topped Wall Street’s targets. Same-store sales increased 6.4 percent and grew 5.8 percent in February. Read more
»Famous-Footwear’s Parent Sees Q4 Miss Plan | March 12
Caleres Inc., the parent of Famous Footwear, reported fourth-quarter earnings came in below plan and said it expects headwinds between 15 cents to 20 cents in the first quarter tied to the coronavirus outbreak. Famous Footwear’s comps were up 5.1 percent in the fourth quarter. Read more
»Running Races Suspended Or Cancelled | March 12
The NYC Half Marathon and New Balance Indoor Nationals, both scheduled for this weekend, have been canceled while the Spartan Race in San Luis Obispo, CA, also set to take place this weekend, has been postponed. Read more
»Coronavirus Has Disrupted Supply Chains For Nearly 75 Percent Of U.S. Companies | March 12
According to a survey from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), nearly 75 percent of companies report supply chain disruptions in some capacity due to coronavirus-related transportation restrictions, and more than 80 percent believe that their organization will experience some impact because of COVID-19 disruptions. Read more
»Bank Of The West Becomes Pinnacle Member Of The Conservation Alliance | March 12
Bank of the West joins The Conservation Alliance as a Pinnacle Member to help fund and collaborate with grassroots conservation organizations in North America. Read more
»Hibbett Announces Departure of Cathy Pryor As SVP Operations | March 12
Hibbett Sports Inc. announced the departure of Cathy Pryor as senior vice president of operations and the promotion of Benjamin Knighten to senior vice president of operations. Read more
»Cannondale Stands Out In Dorel’s Q4 Earnings | March 12
Montreal, Quebec-based Dorel Industries Inc.—whose bike brands include Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose, Caloi, and IronHorse—this week reported revenue for the fourth quarter of $653.4 million, down 4.4 percent from $683.5 million a year ago. Cannondale stood out for the company in Q4. Dorel also announced plans to bolster its European Cycling Sports Group operations to support Cannondale’s growth there. Read more
»NCAA, NBA, NHL, MLB And PGA Respond To Coronavirus | March 12
Following the NBA’s move to suspend its season Wednesday following news of a player testing positive for coronavirus, the NCAA announced it canceling the March Madness basketball tournament. The NHL and PGA Tour also announced suspensions and MLB said it would delay its season start. Read more
»Genesco’s Comps Inch Up 1 Percent In Q4 | March 12
Genesco Inc., the parent of Journeys, reported earnings on an adjusted basis grew 42 percent in the fourth quarter as comp sales rose 1 percent. Read more
»Canadian Tire Appoints New CEO | March 12
Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd., the parent of SportChek and Helly Hansen, appointed Greg Hicks as president and chief executive officer of Canadian Tire Corporation. Read more
»Clarus To Acquire Protective Case Maker S.K.B. Corp. | March 12
Clarus Corp., the parent of Black Diamond, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held S.K.B. Corporation (SKB), a leading manufacturer of protective cases, for $85 million in cash and 1.15 million shares of Clarus common stock. Read more
»Nautilus Appoints VP Of Marketing | March 12
Nautilus Inc. appointed Becky Alseth as VP of marketing. Read more
»Modell’s Files For Bankruptcy, Plans To Liquidate | March 11
Modell’s Sporting Goods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey. The family-owned retail chain will begin liquidation sales in all stores and plans to continue its online sales during the process. Read more
»LEM Helmets Partners With Polygon UR Enduro Race Team | March 11
LEM Helmets, manufacturer of performance head protection for cycling and motorsports, today announced its partnership with the Polygon UR Enduro Race Team. Read more
»Roger Federer Gets RF Logo Back From Nike | March 11
Roger Federer, who left Nike to join Uniqlo in 2018, has obtained the rights to his “RF” logo from Nike, according to Tennis.com. Read more
»2020 Bicycle Leadership Conference Rescheduled To September | March 11
The 2020 Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC), originally slated for April 14 to 16, has been rescheduled for September 29 to October 1 in Monterey, CA. The BLC is a PeopleForBikes event that has been produced in partnership with the Sea Otter Classic (SOC) for the last 11 years. Read more
»USA Cycling Announces Jim Miller’s Return As Head Of Elite Athletics | March 11
USA Cycling President and CEO Rob DeMartini announced Scott Schnitzspahn’s resignation and Jim Miller’s return to USA Cycling. Read more
»Safoli Group’s 2019 Growth Boosted By Smith Optics | March 11
Safoli Group S.P.A., the parent of the Smith Optics brand, reported sales in 2019 grew 3.1 percent on a reported basis and gained 0.9 percent at constant exchange rates. Read more
»SportsEngine Partners With USA Football | March 11
SportsEngine Inc., a provider of sports relationship management software, has signed on as the official provider of abuse prevention training for USA Football. In addition, SportsEngine’s subsidiary, National Center for Safety Initiatives is a new and preferred USA Football provider of youth football volunteer background checks. Read more
»Academy Sports Partners With Big 12 | March 11
The Big 12 Conference and Academy Sports + Outdoors announced a new multi-year partnership featuring the first title sponsorship of Big 12 Football Media Days. Read more
»Hanes Brands Announces Executive Leadership Succession | March 11
HanesBrands, the parent of Champion, announced that Gerald W. Evans Jr. has notified the company’s board of directors of his decision to retire at the end of the current fiscal year, which ends January 2, 2021. Read more
»Puma Withdraws Guidance Due To Coronavirus Uncertainty | March 11
Puma said it no longer expects its business will return to normal soon, despite encouraging signs coming out of China, adding it was abandoning the 2020 guidance it gave on February 19 that had assumed the crisis would be short-lived. Read more
»Adidas Warns Of 10 Percent Q1 Revenue Decline | March 11
Adidas said it expects first-quarter sales to fall more than 10 percent as revenues in Greater China tumble between €0.8 billion and €1.0 billion below the prior-year level due to the coronavirus outbreak. The guidance assumes a decline of about €100 million in Japan and South Korea while the rest of the world grows at a currency-neutral 6 percent to 8 percent. Read more
»RYU Apparel Appoints New CEO | March 11
RYU Apparel Inc., the Vancouver-based activewear brand, announced the resignation of Marcello Leone from his position as CEO and president. Cesare Fazari was appointed interim CEO, effective immediately. Read more
»Bogs Sales Dip In Fourth Quarter | March 11
Weyco Group Inc. reported wholesale sales of the Bogs brand in North America were down 5 percent for the fourth quarter due to lower sales in Canada as a result of the mild start to the winter. For the year, Bogs sales were up 17 percent. Read more
»Mystery Ranch Hires Outdoors East Rep Agency | March 10
Pack company Mystery Ranch has retained Outdoors East, led by Justin Sterner, to represent its mountain and hunting categories in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington DC. Read more
»Clif Bar Features Six Women Athletes On Packaging For First Time | March 10
For the first time in its 28-year history, Clif Bar will replace its iconic climber on its Clif Bar packaging with “real-life trailblazers” – six women athletes representing six different sports. The six athletes are Venus Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Ashima Shirashi, Jordyn Barratt, Lakey Peterson and Katerina Nash. Read more
»IDC: Shipments Of Wearable Devices Reach 1118.9 Million Units In Q4 | March 10
The worldwide market for wearable devices grew 82.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 (4Q19), reaching a new high of 118.9 million devices shipped according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker. Read more
»NRF, AAFA, FDRA, RILA, USFIA Issue Joint Statement On Reports Of Forced Labor | March 10
A coalition of trade associations—the National Retail Federation (NRF), American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), and United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA)—issued a statement Tuesday on reports of forced labor in the Xinjiang region of China. Read more
»ISA TanTec Opens Second Tannery, Resumes Normal Production In China | March 10
In the wake of the coronavirus, TransAsia TanTec, ISA TanTec, issued a release that its second tannery in Vietnam—and fifth in the world—started trial production last week with a projected monthly capacity of 1.5 million square feet after the trial production is completed. Read more
»HanesBrands Launches C9 Champion Brand On Amazon | March 10
HanesBrands has introduced its C9 Champion performance athleticwear exclusively with Amazon Fashion worldwide as part of a multiyear agreement. Read more
»Teton Gravity Research Hires Chief Growth Officer | March 10
Action and adventure lifestyle media company Teton Gravity Research (TGR) has hired Steven Gray as its chief growth officer. Read more
»Caddy For A Cure And Linksoul Sign New 2020 Partnership | March 10
Caddy For A Cure, Inc. and Linksoul announced a new partnership for charity in professional golf. Read more
»Alterra Announces $223M In Capital Improvements For 2020/21 Season | March 10
Alterra Mountain Co. on Tuesday announced its plans to invest $223 million in capital improvements across its 15 North American mountain destinations for the upcoming year to enhance the guest experience. Read more
»Dick’s Q4 Earnings Beat Targets, To Remove Hunt From 440 Stores | March 10
Dick’s Sporting Goods reported fourth-quarter earnings topped Wall Street’s expectations as same-store sales rose 5.3 percent. The retailer also announced it was removing the hunt category from another 440 stores. Read more
»Kinsey’s Acquires Alpine Archery | March 10
Kinsey’s has purchased Alpine Archery and will reinvigorate the brand and its assortment of archery products. Read more
»SFIA Cancels National Health Through Fitness Day Events | March 9
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association cancels the National Health Through Fitness Day, scheduled to take place on March 10-11 in Washington, DC. Read more
»Vail Resorts Withdrew 2020 Guidance On Coronavirus Concerns | March 9
Vail Resorts Inc. reported flat earnings in the second quarter ended January 31 and said it was withdrawing its guidance for fiscal 2020 due to the uncertain impact of coronavirus for the rest of the year. Read more
»Clarus Rides Black Diamond To Earnings And Revenue Beat | March 9
Clarus Corp., parent of Black Diamond Equipment and Sierra Bullets, on Monday, reported fourth-quarter net income of $12.4 million, or 40 cents per diluted share, topping Wall Street’s estimates by 9 cents. The company’s Q4 revenue of $61 million was $1.3 million better than analysts’ targets behind a 13 percent increase in Black Diamond sales that partially offset a 35 percent decline in Sierra sales. Read more
»Utah Names Grewe Director Of Office Of Outdoor Recreation | March 9
Patrick “Pitt” Grewe on Monday was appointed by Utah Governor Gary Herbert as the third director of Utah’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. Established in 2013, the organization was the nation’s first office of outdoor recreation. Read more
»Recreation Leaders Applaud Senate Funding Of LWCF | March 9
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) members on Monday lauded the Senate for introducing a bipartisan bill, the Great American Outdoors Act, that prioritizes the $20 billion maintenance backlog facing our public lands and waters to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Read more
»Adidas Employee At Germany Headquarters Contracts Coronavirus | March 9
Adidas said one of its employees at its headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany has tested positive for the coronavirus. Read more
»U.S. Polo Assn. Wins Key Legal Decision In South Africa | March 9
The U.S. Polo Assn. brand, through its exclusive Licensee for South Africa, Stable Brands Ltd., on Monday announced another significant legal battle against rival fashion brand LA Group Ltd. in South Africa. Read more
»Accell Group’s Sales Advanced 7.9 Percent In 2019 | March 9
Accell Group N.V., the European bicycle company with brands such as Haibike, Koga, Batavus and Raleigh, reported 2019 revenues rose 7.9 percent. Read more
»Ross Stores To Open 100 New Locations In 2020 | March 9
Ross Stores announced plans to add approximately 100 new stores—75 Ross and 25 dd’s DISCOUNTS locations—during fiscal 2020. Read more
»Golf Town, Club De Golf Lévis Announce Three-Year Partnership | March 9
Golf Town, Canada’s largest golf retailer, on Monday announced its three-year partnership with Club de Golf Lévis, a semi-private golf course in Lévis, Quebec. Read more
»The Colorado Classic Announces 2020 Host Communities | March 9
The Colorado Classic on Monday announced the four cities that will host the cycling race this summer—Snowmass Village, Avon, Boulder, and Denver. Held August 27-30 and presented by Denver-based VF Corp., the Colorado Classic is North America’s only standalone women’s professional stage race. Read more
»In Memorium: Carl’s Golfland Founder Carl Rose | March 9
Carl F. Rose, who founded Carl’s Golfland in 1958 and turned it into one of the most successful golf retail and range operations in the country, has passed away. Read more
»REI’s CEO Informs Members About Coronavirus Precautions | March 9
On Sunday, Eric Artz, REI’s president and CEO, wrote a blog entry addressed to Co-op members detailing steps the retailer is taking in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Read more
»MEC Suspends Gear Rental Program Over Coronavirus Concerns | March 9
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) has temporarily paused its company’s rental program as a precautionary measure as confirmed cases of coronavirus continue to increase in Canada. Read more
»Wilson, EvoShield And Xenith Join 2020 Rivals Football Camp Series | March 9
Wilson, EvoShield and Xenith have joined the 2020 Rivals Camp and Combine Series as official equipment partners, Reigning Champs Experiences (RCX) announced. Read more
»Coronavirus Impact On Imports Worse Than Previously Expected | March 9
The coronavirus outbreak is expected to have a longer and larger impact on imports at major U.S. retail container ports than previously believed as factory shutdowns and travel restrictions in China continue to affect production, according to the Global Port Tracker report released Monday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. Read more
»Fleet Feet Launches New Retail Concept Shop In Portland | March 9
Fleet Feet announced the debut of Fleet Feet Drop Shop, a new retail concept shopping experience in Portland, OR. The concept combines Fleet Feet’s 3D foot scanning technology and personalized outfitting experience with two-day home delivery. Read more
»Lacrosse Unlimited Appoints Director Of Institutional Sales| March 9
Lacrosse Unlimited announced the continued expansion of the institutional sales and production team with the addition of Kevin Simmons and Rob Rochford in sales and Mitch Mendel in production. Read more
»Compass Diversified Holdings To Acquire Marucci Sports | March 9
Compass Diversified Holdings on Monday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Baton Rouge, LA-based baseball equipment and apparel maker Marucci Sports LLC for $200 million. Read more
»Sea Otter Classic Postpones April Event | March 9
The Sea Otter Classic, the outdoor cycling festival held in Monterey County, CA, has postponed its April event. Read more
»Boston Pro Show Offers Arnold Sports Festival Expo Vendors A Free Booth | March 9
The Boston Pro Show and Fitness Expo have offered to help displaced vendors and sponsors who were prevented from attending this past weekend’s Arnold Sports Festival Expo in Columbus, OH, due to global coronavirus concerns. Read more
»Freemotion Fitness To Forego IHRSA 2020 Trade Show | March 9
Freemotion Fitness said that due to the recent announcement of a state of emergency in California, the ongoing global concerns and uncertainty over the spread of the Coronavirus, it has made the “difficult decision” to withdraw from IHRSA 2020 in San Diego. Read more
»Precor Decides Not To Attend IHRSA Due To Convirus Concerns | March 9
Precor said it won’t attend the IHRSA 2020 trade show in San Diego, CA “due to the recent increase in coronavirus related health risks” and staff concerns. Read more
»Life Fitness To Skip IHRSA Over Coronavirus | March 9
Life Fitness said that due to the continued global spread of coronavirus, it has made the “difficult decision” to withdraw attendance to the IHRSA 2020 trade show in San Diego, CA. Read more
»Fabletics Opens First Houston Store | March 9
Fabletics, the activewear brand Co-founded by Kate Hudson in 2013, opened its first Houston, TX store inside the Galleria Mall on Saturday. Read more
»IHRSA: Health Club Membership Reaches 64.2M Americans | March 9
More than one out of five Americans belonged to a health club or studio in 2019, totaling 64.2 million consumers ages 6 and older, according to the 2019 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report. The latest data shows a fifth consecutive year of growth in membership. Read more
A dog wears a paper cup over its mouth on a street in Beijing. One dog has been quarantined for testing weak-positive for the coronavirus. Photo courtesy Getty
