Top National Stories and the Latest Headlines From SGB Updates
across the Active Lifestyle Market during the week of March 23, 2020.

…

»Addaday Hires Marketing and Communications Heavy Hitters | March 27
Addaday, the manufacturer of injury prevention and recovery technology, announced the appointment of Hugh Williams as CMO and Kristin Goett as Communications Director. Read more

»OutDoor By ISPO 2020 Is Canceled | March 27

Outdoor By ISPO issued the following statement today: “Due to the spread of the coronavirus and following the recommendation of the Bavarian State Government and the competent health authorities, Messe München is compelled to cancel OutDoor by ISPO 2020. Read more

»Golf Rounds Played Surge In February | March 27
Golf rounds played vaulted 19.1 in February, according to Golf Datatech. The biggest gains were seen in East North Central, New England, Mid Atlantic and West North Central. Read more

»Ross Stores To Cancel Orders Through Mid-June | March 27
Ross Stores in a letter to vendors on Thursday said it would cancel all merchandise purchase orders through June 18 as a result of the impact of the coronavirus on sales. Read more

»City Of Fresno Declares Sporting Goods Essential Retail | March 26
Sporting goods stores in Fresno, CA have been allowed to reopen as essential businesses, city leaders announced. Officials said many of the stores sell essential items including food, water, emergency supplies, ice, food storage, propane, and cooking supplies. Read more

»Lululemon’s Q4 Earnings Top Estimates On Online Sales Surge
Lululemon Athletica Inc. reported net earnings rose 36.4 percent and slightly exceeded Wall Street’s targets. Same-store sales soared 20 percent, lifted by a 41 percent hike in online sales. The retailer joined other companies in not providing a forecast for the current fiscal year due to the coronavirus. Read more

»Acquisitions, Firearms, E-Commerce Fuel Sportsman’s Warehouse In Q4 | March 26
Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. reported net sales for the fiscal fourth quarter of $258.2 million, up 6.4 percent from $242.7 million in the prior-year quarter. The net sales increase was primarily due to a strong performance from eight acquired stores, momentum in the firearm and ammunition categories in January and growth in its e-commerce business. Read more

»Fanatics Partners With MLB To Make Masks And Gowns For Health Professionals | March 26
Fanatics in a partnership with Major League Baseball has halted jersey production efforts and is repurposing its 360,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Easton, PA to immediately begin making masks and gowns. The items will be made with the exact same jersey fabric that the players wear on the field. Read more

»Nike Extends Store Closures Indefinitely | March 26
Nike Inc. announced that its Nike-owned and operated stores will remain temporarily closed in multiple countries around the world due to the coronavirus. The company did not issue a date for the locations to reopen. Read more

»Outdoor Gear Builders Members Collaborat To Support Healthcare Industry | March 26
Outdoor Gear Builders (OGB), a nonprofit business association made up of Western North Carolina-based outdoor industry companies, announced that many of its members are working to support the healthcare industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

»Chaco Footwear Retrofits Factory Operations To Manufacture And Donate Protective Masks | March 26
Chaco, the outdoor lifestyle footwear brand, has shifted the focus of its Michigan-based ReChaco factory and mobile factory bus from sandal repairs and product customization to the manufacture of face masks and other critical protective equipment needed by healthcare and other first responders working through the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

»Wolverine Worldwide Provides Business Update Related To COVID-19 | March 26
Wolverine World Wide Inc. provided a business update that it said: “further highlighted the company’s strong liquidity, supply chain stability and agile business model while detailing the proactive and precautionary measures it is taking to navigate the current environment.” Read more

»Equip Outdoor Technologies Launches Risk Management Plan For Retailers During COVID-19 | March 26
Against the background of the current crises caused by the global spread of COVID-19 and the challenges the outdoor industry is facing, Equip Outdoor Technologies, Owner of outdoor brands Rab and Lowe Alpine, has set up a Risk Management Action Plan to support its retailers and issued the following release. Read more

»USA Triathlon Statement On Postponement of Tokyo Olympics | March 26
USA Triathlon issued a statement in response to the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees’ respective announcements that the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be postponed to 2021 due to ongoing logistical and public health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic. Read more

»U.S. Road Race Participation Declines 2.7 Percent For 2019 | March 26
The number of runners registering for organized races in the U.S. was down slightly in 2019, continuing a six-year gradual drawback of mass participation in recreational road racing. According to Running USA data analysis, the industry peaked in 2013, when 19 million runners crossed the finish line at U.S. running events over all distances. Read more

»Tultex Producing Face Masks For The Healthcare Industry | March 22
Tultex, an apparel brand under TSC Apparel, is redirecting its efforts to produce face masks for the healthcare industry amid the widespread shortage. Read more

»Advance To Acquire The Ironman Group | March 26
Advance, the owners of Conde Naste, entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement with Wanda Sports Group Company Limited to acquire The Ironman Group in an all-cash transaction. Read more

»Moody’s Assigns A1 Rating To Nike’s Proposed Debt Offering, Outlook Revised To Negative | March 26
Moody’s Investors Service assigned an A1 rating to Nike Inc.’s proposed senior unsecured note offering. The outlook change to negative reflects the material increase in term debt at a time when there is significant uncertainty around the duration and severity of the coronavirus spread, as well as the impact of store closures and reduced consumer spending on Nike’s revenue and earnings. Read more

»DSW Parent Places 80 Percent Of Workforce On Unpaid Leave | March 26
Designer Brands Inc., the parent of DSW, said it is implementing temporary leaves of absence for over 80 percent of its workforce, effective March 29. The move follows the temporary closure of its North American stores in March 2017. Read more

»Nordstrom To Extend Store Closures Another Week | March 26
Nordstrom Inc. announced it will extend its temporary store closure for at least one week through April 5. The retailer also said its top leaders will decline their salary from April through September and a portion of corporate employees will be furloughed starting April 5 for six weeks. Read more

»Canadian Tire Offers Special Support Program For Employees | March 26
Canadian Tire Corporation announced that the Canadian Tire Associate Dealers have implemented a temporary special support payment of $2 per hour for all active Canadian Tire store employees. Read more

»Modell’s Seeks Suspension Of Bankruptcy Case | March 26
Modell’s Sporting Goods is seeking a 45-day suspension in its Chapter 11 case claiming the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible to conduct going-out-of-business sales. Read More

»SFIA Provides Small Business Relief Resources Amid COVID-19 | March 26
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) released resource links to provide the sports industry with a wide range of information regarding small business relief amid the coronavirus outbreak.reak. Read more

»Target Provides Business Update To COVID-19 | March 25
Target Corp. said that as the COVID-19 crisis has evolved, the company has been experiencing unusually strong traffic and sales. As a result, the company has adjusted the expected timing of some of its strategic initiatives. Read more

»Under Armour’s Chief Product Officer To Leave In August | March 25
Under Armour Inc. said Kevin Eskridge, chief product officer, will be leaving the company on August 15, 2020 to pursue other interests. Read more

»Shoe Carnival’s Q4 Earnings Top Expectations | March 25
Shoe Carnival Inc. reported net earnings more than doubled in the fourth quarter as same-store sales grew 3.2 percent. Cliff Sifford, Shoe Carnival’s vice chairman and CEO, said, “Our strong balance sheet and prudent expense management provides us the financial flexibility to keep our steady footing during this challenging economic time.” Read more

»HanesBrands Increases Balance Sheet Flexibility, Withdraws Guidance | March 25
HanesBrands announced that it is proactively drawing down on its revolving credit facility as a precautionary measure to increase balance sheet flexibility during the coronavirus global pandemic. The company also is withdrawing its guidance for the 2020 first-quarter and full-year. Read more

»Kitsbow x Outdoor Industry Manufacturers Accelerate COVID-19 Face Shield Production | March 25
After pivoting its bike apparel production to make face masks and shields for first responders and medical providers in Western North Carolina, Kitsbow experienced unanticipated engagement from across the U.S., with demand totaling more than 100,000 units in the first week. Read more

»Survey: Fans Embrace Streaming, Reading And Exercise To Offset Sports Blackout | March 25
U.S. sports fans said they are turning to watch non-sports TV and streaming services, reading and working out during the “sports blackout” created by the coronavirus outbreak, according to a new survey by Altman Vilandrie & Company. The survey also shows that three-quarters of regular sports viewers are still following their favorite leagues. Read more

»Crocs Announces ‘Free Pair For Healthcare’ Program | March 25
Crocs Inc. announced the launch of a new program for those on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus: “A Free Pair for Healthcare.” Read more

»Macy’s Freezes Hiring, Reduces Management Pay | March 25
Macy’s Inc. announced it is freezing both hiring and spending, as well as reducing pay for all levels of management director level and above, effective April 1 and lasting for the duration of the crisis. Jeff Gennette, chairman and CEO, will not receive compensation during this period. Read more

»Canada Goose Dedicates Manufacturing Resources To Help Fight Coronavirus | March 25
Canada Goose announced the company will leverage its manufacturing facilities to begin production of necessary medical gear for frontline health care workers and patients across Canada in the fight against the coronavirus. Read more

»Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis To Donate Personal Funds To Employees | March 25
Camping World Holdings Inc. on Wednesday announced that Marcus Lemonis, the company’s chairman and CEO, plans to provide financial assistance to employees who are experiencing personal and financial difficulties as the result of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more

»Founder Sport Group Commits Manufacturing Facilities To Fight Spread Of COVID-19 | March 25
Founder Sport Group, a manufacturer of performance athletic apparel, in tandem with All Clear Foundation, announced that it is committing part of its manufacturing facilities to join in the effort to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Read more

»Big 5 Withdraws First-Quarter Guidance | March 25
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp., in a regulatory filing, said that it is withdrawing its fiscal 2020 first-quarter guidance due to the “anticipated material negative impact of COVID-19 on the company’s financial results and the uncertainty related to its duration.” Read more

»Camping World’s Debt Ratings Lowered | March 25
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the debt ratings of Camping World due to the potential for ongoing softness in the RV market as the coronavirus likely impacts purchases of big-ticket items. Read more

»Winnebago Industries Sees 45 Percent Q2 Gain | March 25
Winnebago Industries Inc. reported revenues for the fiscal 2020 second quarter ended February 29, increased 44.9 percent to $626.8 million compared to $432.7 million for the fiscal 2019 period. Revenues for Newmar, which was acquired in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, were $138.4 million. Read more

»Dick’s Sporting Goods Cuts Salaries And Expenses, Suspends Stock Buybacks | March 25
Dick’s Sporting Goods, in a regulatory filing, announced the temporary reduction in the base salaries of certain executive officers in response to the current business environment as impacted by COVID-19. The retailer also said it’s embarking on a “significant reduction” in expenses and planned inventory receipts, reducing planned capital expenditures, temporarily suspending its share buybacks, and evaluating its dividend program. Read more

»Eddie Bauer Shifts Production To Make Masks For Healthcare Facilities | March 25
Eddie Bauer is shifting portions of its production capacity to make N95 and surgical masks to help meet the demand for personal protective equipment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

»Nike Posts Q3 Revenue Beat, But COVID-19 Headwinds Loom Large | March 24
Nike Inc. reported diluted earnings per share for the fiscal third quarter of 53 cents, which was in-line with Wall Street’s expectations. Revenues rose 5 percent to $10.1 billion ahead of estimates by $530 million. COVID-19 primarily affected the company in China during the period, but executives will provide an update on the coronavirus impact on operations elsewhere in the world on its upcoming earnings call. Read more

»Neiman Marcus Exploring Possible Bankruptcy | March 24
Neiman Marcus is in discussions with lenders about filing for bankruptcy to restructure its heavy debt load, Bloomberg News reported. Read more

»Oofos To Donate Footwear To First Responders | March 24
Oofos, the recovery footwear manufacturer, announced plans to donate more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to nurses and medical professionals across the country. Read more

»Puma Reduces Work Hours For 1,400 Associates | March 24
Puma announced that 1,400 associates in Germany would shift to shorter work hours until April 13 as sales slump due to the coronavirus, according to a report from Reuters. Its three top executives will also waive their pay for April. Read more

»RV Manufacturers Considered ‘Essential’ Business By Indiana | March 24
The RV Industry Association said based on the information it has received from Indiana state officials, RV manufacturing qualifies as an essential business in the state of Indiana under Gov. Eric Holcomb’s March 23 Executive Order. Read more

»New Balance Foundation Pledges $2 Million To Support COVID-19 Relief Efforts | March 24
Boston-based New Balance Foundation on Tuesday announced it has committed $2 million in nonprofit grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support local, regional and global communities. Read more

»JD Sports Provides COVID-19 Update | March 24
JD Sports Fashion Plc provided an update on the impact of COVID-19 on its business along with the measures it is taking to actively manage the risks to its customers, colleagues and operations. Read more

»Deckers Re-Opens Distribution Center | March 24
Deckers Brands said that after incorporating enhanced safety protocols, the company has resumed modified operations with limited capacity at its distribution center located in Moreno Valley, CA. Read more

»XTRATUF … Connecting Consumers To Fishermen During COVID-19 | March 24
“The fishing industry and fishermen need continued consumer access for purchasing fish and seafood, and many businesses are offering alternative delivery options. XTRATUF is hoping to help support the community by connecting consumers across the country to healthy, fresh protein, shipped directly to your doorstep.” Read more

»Superfeet Worldwide Responds To COVID-19, Offers 3D Printing Capabilities | March 24
Superfeet has opened its doors to help those needing immediate access to 3D printers and/or production facilities to shore up short-term medical supply demand during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more

»Adidas To Sponsor Bordeaux | March 24
France Ligue 1 club Bordeaux will switch its kit supply deal from Puma to Adidas with the start of the 2020/21 season. Read more

»Anta Sports Sees First-Half Sales Drop Due To Coronavirus | March 24
Anta Sports said it expects a low-double-digit decrease in revenues for the first half of 2020 due to the fallout from the coronavirus, but sales are expected do recover in the second half and growth is still expected for the year. Read more

»The Buckle Provides Dividend Update In Response To COVID-19 Outbreak | March 24
The Buckle, Inc. announced that at its quarterly meeting of the board of directors, held on March 23, 2020, the Board deferred making a decision on dividend payments until its next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The company also announced that both its Chairman, President and CEO have elected to forgo their salary until such time as normal business operations resume. Read more

»Nordstrom Halts Dividend, Share Buybacks | March 23
Nordstrom Inc. said it was suspending its dividend, drawing down $800 million from a loan facility, and suspending its share buyback program in response to the “rapidly changing market uncertainty” from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

»Running Industry Association Launches COVID-19 Resource Guide for Retailers | March 23
The Running Industry Association (RIA) has assembled an online resource guide to assist the run specialty community during the COVID-19 pandemic that is causing countless retail stores across the country to close indefinitely. Read more

»Rocky Brands Deemed ‘Essential Business’ By State Of Ohio | March 23
Rocky Brands Inc. on Monday announced it will continue operations and shipments from its distribution center in Logan, OH, following Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health issuing a “Stay at Home” order for all nonessential businesses from March 24 through April 6. Read more

»Summer Olympics To Be Postponed Until 2021 | March 23
The Summer Olympics, scheduled to be held in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9, will be postponed until 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, USA Today reported Monday afternoon. Read more

»TaylorMade Golf Appoints New CFO | March 23
TaylorMade Golf Company hired Rick Paschal as its new chief financial officer. He was at Varsity Brands. Read more

»IHRSA Implores Congress To Include Fitness Industry In Stimulus | March 23
IHRSA has requested that Congress include health clubs, fitness centers, gyms, studios, and fitness industry suppliers in the economic stimulus package. Read more

»Winnebago To Temporarily Suspend Production Because Of Coronavirus | March 23
Winnebago Industries Inc. on Monday announced it will temporarily suspend most production activities at the company’s Winnebago, Grand Design RV, Newmar and Chris-Craft facilities in response to the national spread of the coronavirus. Read more

»Gildan Activewear Provides Update Related To COVID-19 | March 23
Gildan Activewear Inc. provided an update in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on its business and operations. Read more

»VF Corp. Withdraws Guidance, Draws Down $1 Billion From Credit Facility | March 23
VF Corp. said it has drawn down $1 billion from its revolving credit facility “in an abundance of caution and as a proactive, precautionary measure” in response to the coronavirus. The company also withdrew its guidance for 2020. Read more

»International Olympic Committee Considers Postponing Tokyo Games | March 23
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Sunday said it is considering postponing the Tokyo 2020 Games and would make a final decision within four weeks. Read more

»Recall: Woom Bikes | March 23
About 5,500 bicycles from Woom Bikes USA are being recalled. Read more

»Igloo Pledges Profits To Coronavirus Response Fund | March 23
Igloo announced it will donate 100 percent of the profits from all Playmate coolers sold on Igloocoolers.com over the course of the next 30 days to the CDC Foundation Coronavirus Response Fund. Read more

»A&G Realty Partners Begins Marketing Of 137 Modell’s Store Leases | March 23
A&G Real Estate Partners (A&G) has begun marketing 137 Modell’s Sporting Goods store leases in nine Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia in connection with the 111-year-old retailer’s voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and liquidation. Read more

»Peloton Suspends Treadmill Sales, Deliveries Amid Spread Of Coronavirus | March 23
Peloton announced that it will temporarily suspend the sale and delivery of its treadmill, Tread, because the size of the machine is too large to deliver to customers who are social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read more

»Nike Promotes Social Distancing In Ad To Promote Workout App | March 23
On Saturday, Nike released a new ad campaign to express the importance of social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign also promotes the brand’s workout app timed with the announcement that programming is now accessible to users free of charge. Read more

»Foot Locker Increases Cash Position In COVID-19 Pre-Caution | March 23
Foot Locker Inc. said in a regulatory filing that it borrowed $330 million under its revolving credit facility. The retailer said the borrowings were made as a precautionary measure to increase its cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Photo courtesy Fanatics x MLB.  Fanatics has repurposed its 360,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Easton, PA to manufacture masks and gowns in the exact fabric that the players wear on the field to support the COVID-19 shortage of essential equipment for first responders.