Patagonia has filed a lawsuit against AB InBev, the parent of Anheuser-Busch, claiming the brewer’s Patagonia beer is a “copycat brand.” Patagonia wrote in legal papers in part, “In short, AB has done everything possible to make it appear as though this ‘Patagonia’ beer is sold by Patagonia.” Click here to read more.
Fila appointed Jennifer Estabrook, chief operating officer, as North America president.
SRAM announced the acquisition of the PowerTap line of bicycle power meters from Saris.
Asics announces the launch of Asics Accelerator Program, a business partnership acceleration program, for startups. The program seeks ideas from startups for products, services, and contents that would contribute to business opportunities in 2020.
About 63,000 bicycles with steerer tube collars from Specialized Bicycle Components are being recalled. The bicycle’s steerer tube collar can crack if exposed to corrosion resulting in sudden loss of steering control, posing fall and injury hazards to the rider.
Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist and FootJoy, announced that it elected Keun Chang (Kevin) Yoon to serve out the remainder of the late Jon Epstein’s term on the company’s board.
Salomon announced the appointment of George Egan to the new role of U.S. outdoor commercial manager for footwear.
Irwin Jacobs, the founder and CEO of FLW (Fishing League Worldwide) has passed away.
Nike is expected to replace New Balance as the kit supplier of the famed English Premier League soccer club, Liverpool.
About 2,600 Field & Stream Timberline Hang On Tree Stands are being recalled by Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Hanesbrands is closing a plant in Mount Airy, NC, that made Hanes and Champion socks. Approximately 220 employees will be impacted.
Ross Stores Inc. announced that Michael O’Sullivan, the company’s president and chief operating officer since 2009, has resigned from the company and its board of directors effective immediately to accept a position with another company.
Delta Apparel Inc. on Thursday announced the appointment of Glenda E. Hood to its board of directors.
Fred’s Inc., which operates discount stores throughout the Southeast, announced the retention of PJ Solomon to evaluate strategic alternatives to maximize value for shareholders. The company also said it will close 159 of its 557 stores.
The Buckle Inc. announced that comparable store net sales for the 5-week period ended April 6 increased 0.5 percent year over year. Net sales remained flat at $82.3 million.
Bill Supple, an outdoor industry veteran, has been recently brought on to help grow Outdoor & Sports Company (OSC)’s Mountain Equipment brand as brand and business development director. Supple has been CEO and president of Mammut Sports Group.
Styrka Optics welcomed the Outdoor Outfitters Group as Styrka’s sales representative for the Midwestern and North-Central states.
MEC, the leading outdoor retailer in Canada, confirmed its relocated Toronto flagship store will open April 13, 2019.
Duluth Holdings Inc. (dba, Duluth Trading Company) announced the grand opening of its 50th store in Spokane Valley, WA.
Big Agnes Inc., the Steamboat Springs-based outdoor brand, announced a batch of new hires, growing its product, repair, dealer services and employee engagement teams.
Dalco Athletics has appointed Russell Hiler as national sales manager.
True Sports announced, effective April 8, Tom Burns will serve as the general manager of True Lacrosse.
Adidas has signed a multi-year partnership to become the official athletic footwear and apparel brand of the new Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).
Yue Yuen Industrial Ltd. reported sales rose 2.9 percent in March to $879.7 million from $855.0 million.
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) announced that Cascade Lacrosse and STX have signed on as sponsors of the new professional league.
Asics announced a five-year sponsorship deal to return as the official footwear and apparel partner and presenting sponsor of the Los Angeles Marathon beginning in 2020. Skechers Performance, a division of Skechers, took over sponsorship of the marathon in 2016.
The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) and PTR recently signed an agreement designating PTR as an official partner of the WTA Coach Program.
Sunshine Fitness Growth Holdings LLC, an owner and operator of Planet Fitness clubs in the Southeast United States backed by TSG Consumer Partners, announced its acquisition of 13 additional Planet Fitness clubs in South Carolina and Georgia from Anchor Fitness LLC.
James Gatto, the former Adidas executive, agreed to pay $342,438 in restitution to Kansas, Louisville and N.C. State after being convicted on felony charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud last October.
PXG signed three-time Masters champion (1961, 1974 and 1978) and 24-time PGA Tour winner Gary Player to an endorsement deal.
With tariff increases delayed for the foreseeable future and the busy summer season approaching, imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are beginning to climb again, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Sanfo Outdoor Products Co., based in Beijing, formed a partnership with Swiss apparel specialist X-Bionic.
A new initiative is underway to network, grow and raise awareness of Vermont’s diverse businesses, large and small, that help make the state a leader in outdoor recreation. Vermont is home to a number of outdoor brands, including Orvis, Burton, and Darn Tough.
Golden, CO-based backcountry gear brand Mountainsmith has made two appointments to the leadership team—Josh Kerns was named national sales manager and Jeff Popp was named product line manager.
To celebrate one of the greatest weeks in running, Runner’s World and Salomon are collaborating on a pop-up experience on Newbury Street in Boston called the Runner’s World Townhouse.
Sports nutrition company Ascent announced Tuesday it is now the official performance nutrition partner of Carolina Panthers star Christian McCaffrey.
Italian-based footwear brand Scarpa North America has appointed Matt Ginley and Danny Ciavarro to its sales team.
Accessories brand Nixon has appointed Tom Kattus as Adidas Watches global brand sales director.
Athletic flooring manufacturer PLAE has established a new division in the United Kingdom, PLAE Europa, to meet growing international demand.
Research from YouGov RealTime finds that Americans consider March Madness’ Final Four to be one of the year’s most exciting sporting events. Only the Super Bowl and the NBA Finals scored higher.
Kohl’s announced that it has received the 2019 Energy Star Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership and superior contributions to Energy Star.
The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) announced the program lineup for the 55th annual Management Conference and 21st annual Team Dealer Summit. Session themes include the future of sports retailing, emerging women’s sports, esports and retail technology.
Canada Goose announced plans to open six new stores with two in Europe, one in the United States and three in Canada.
Zensah, best known for its compression socks and sleeves, signed the legendary ultramarathoner, Dean Karnazes.
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced a multiyear partnership with AT&T, making the global communications and technology company the first non-apparel partner to have its logo featured on the front of all 12 team jerseys throughout the league.
Topgolf announced that its first Topgolf Lounge, a bar and gaming experience, is set to officially open outside Seattle later this year.
Under Armour signed Mick Schumacher, Formula 2 driver and son of legendary F1 driver Michael Schumacher, to an endorsement deal.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. on Monday announced the appointment of Robert Julian as CFO, effective April 24.
Handgun components manufacturer Rival Arms announced that Bill Hicks & Co. Ltd. is now distributing the company’s products to its firearm dealers nationwide.
Guidefitter announced it has launched an influencer marketing solution compatible with federal firearms license requirements. It has also added Sheridan, WY-based Weatherby as an outdoor gear partner and its first firearms brand partner
Nike issued a statement stating it won’t respond to allegations from celebrity lawyer, Michael Avenatti, that the company paid more than $170,000 to incentivize elite basketball players to attend Nike-sponsored colleges.
The Conzzeta Group, based in Switzerland, reported that its Outdoor segment (Mammut Sports Group) generated net revenue of CHF 253.4 million in 2018, up 10.9 percent, with double-digit growth in all three regions, Europe, America and Asia.
Ecco reported sales in 2018 rose 3.1 percent to €1.31 billion from €1.27 billion in 2017. Profits before tax advanced 9.2 percent to €201 million from €184 million.
Goldstock’s Sporting Goods in Glenville, NY, is closing.
Retail industry employment in March was down by 11,700 jobs seasonally adjusted from February and down 47,400 jobs unadjusted year-over-year, the Labor Department said.
The Oklahoma Sooners and Fanatics have partnered to open The Sooner Shop, the flagship retail store for OU Athletics, located on the west side of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Pearl Izumi and The Renewal Workshop are setting up shop at the Sea Otter Classic, April 11-14, 2019, to collect used Pearl Izumi gear to repair and refurbish through CircleBack, giving gently used products a second life instead of adding to landfills.
Image courtesy Instacart
