Nike Inc. is the target of a class-action lawsuit by women claiming discrimination against the global footwear and apparel giant. Cahill et al v. Nike Inc. was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court, District of Oregon. The suit doesn’t ask for specific damages, but instead for Nike to implement fair pay practices throughout the organization.
The Apparel Impact Institute (AII), a collaboration of brands, manufacturers and industry stakeholders that have come together to select, fund and scale high-impact projects that dramatically and measurably improve the sustainability outcomes of the apparel and footwear industry, announced Lewis Perkins as the institute’s inaugural president.
Activbody, maker of the Activ5 portable fitness device and training app, announced the company has appointed long-time technology and e-commerce executive Dan Stevenson as the company’s new CEO.
The Buckle Inc. announced that comparable store net sales for stores open at least one year for the four-week period ended August 4 increased 2.3 percent.
Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings Ltd. reported sales in June reached $787.1 million against $721.3 million, a gain of 9.1 percent.
The board of governors of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association to the firearms industry, announced that O.F. Mossberg & Sons’ executive vice president and general counsel Joseph Bartozzi will be the organization’s next president.
Mizuno Corp. reported sales of ¥42.8 billion in the first quarter ended March 31, down 6.9 percent year-over-year. Sales in the Americas region slumped 23.9 percent.
After a 19-year career at e-commerce giant Amazon, Laura Orvidas has started a new venture as the CEO role at OnXmaps Inc., provider of the Onx Hunt mobile app and a leader in mobile mapping technology for outdoor adventurers.
Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc. announced a partnership with comedian Jermaine “Funnymaine” Johnson, aka “The Bama fan on the couch,” as the exclusive Funnymaine Collection licensed apparel in-store retail partner.
The brand appointed four creative directors to support the company’s fall campaign. The partners include rapper/model/designer Sheck Wes, designer/music artist/podcaster Theo Martins, photographer Cary Fagan and creative collective LVRN.
Optimal Investment Group (OIG), a private equity firm based in Sherman Oaks, CA, announced that the firm has acquired the assets of USA Dawgs Inc., a Nevada-based branded footwear distributor.
The Conservation Alliance welcomes San Diego-based craft beer producer Pure Project as the alliance’s newest member.
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports have set two new records this summer and are expected to set another this month, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Thursday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Outdoor Retailer, the largest U.S. tradeshow and premier business event for the outdoor industry, wrapped up a successful first Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver.
Darn Tough Vermont, a manufacturer of outdoor and lifestyle socks, has appointed Brooke Kaplan as director of marketing.
Recovery footwear company Oofos has partnered with Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) in 2018 for a second year supporting Healthy Athletes as part of the SONJ State Games and Special Olympics USA Games for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Authorities have charged five people with trafficking more than $70 million in counterfeit Nike Air Jordan sneakers, according to a report in the North Jersey Record.
Garmin Ltd. on Thursday announced that a family trust, of which Min H. Kao, the company’s co-founder and executive chairman, is a co-trustee, has established a pre-arranged trading plan to sell a portion of the trust’s shares in the company over a designated period.
Six finalists have been selected by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) to present their start-up company at the 2018 SFIA Start-Up Challenge.
Duluth Holdings Inc., dba, Duluth Trading Co., a lifestyle brand of men’s and women’s casual wear, workwear and accessories, has implemented a new e-commerce platform aimed to enhance customers’ digital shopping experience.
Tactical apparel and gear maker 5.11 has opened a brick-and-mortar retail store in St. Louis, MO, the brand’s 39th U.S. retail store opening and 30th store opening in the past 18 months.
In continuation of a partnership between Shoe Carnival and Philadelphia school districts, 10 percent of total purchases at select participating Shoe Carnival locations will go back to the shopper’s school of choice upon checkout.
Adidas has struck a deal to partner with Thomas University, based in Thomasville, GA, for the next three years.
Benchmade Knife Co., manufacturer of premium sports cutlery for 31 years, announced the addition of Mike Ulwelling as the company’s new vice president of marketing & sales.
Camping World Holdings Inc. announced that the company has signed an agreement to acquire Holiday Hour RV located in the greater DeKalb, IL, area.
Outdoor Edge announced that the company has added three new employees to the company’s staff: Kirk Nichols, Michael Egan and Jonathan Stahlman.
Zumiez Inc. announced that total net sales for the four-week period ended August 4 increased 23 percent to $83 million, compared to $67.5 million for the four-week period ended July 29, 2017.
The Tennis Industry Association is opposing proposed tariffs on products that are of specific concern to the tennis and racquet sports industry.
Boot Barn Holdings Inc. reported income for the second quarter ended June 30 of $6.8 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.8 million, or 3 cents per diluted share in the prior-year period.
Hydro Flask named The Conservation Alliance the beneficiary of the alliance’s annual garage sale in Bend, OR, hometown for both the company and the organization.
Weyco Group reported earnings rose 29 percent in the second quarter due to tax benefits. Sales grew 6 percent with Bogs gaining 4 percent.
Active Ride Shop announced a commitment of $100,000 cash to Southern California high schools to help support school athletics.
Forbes magazine has recognized HanesBrands, a socially responsible manufacturer and marketer of leading everyday basic apparel, as one of the most-admired companies in Central America and the Caribbean.
Delta Apparel Inc. appointed Anita D. Britt to the company’s board of directors.
Eagle Creek has announced a new partnership with Adams Outdoor Sales as representatives for the Great Lakes East territory, including MI, IN, OH and KY, effective immediately.
In celebration of 50 years of National Scenic Trails, REI Co-op is investing a total of $643,000 in 17 nonprofit organizations dedicated to stewarding and maintaining the country’s 11 National Scenic Trails.
Columbia Sportswear Co. announced that the company’s board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $200 million of company common stock in market or negotiated transactions.
Columbia Sportswear has named Chris Adamek, who has been consulting with Columbia since January 2018, as the new vice president, chief of staff for the Columbia brand.
Fathead, best-known for the company’s officially licensed, life-size wall graphics of professional athletes and team logos, has entered into an agreement with sports-licensed merchandise distributor SP Images of Franklin, MA, to exclusively distribute the company’s Tradeable & Teammate brands in key retail channels across the country.
High Five Events announced Under Armour Inc. has returned as the presenting sponsor of the Austin Marathon.
Nate Hrivnak moves from the marketing department at Zeal Optics to a new sales role in Northern California. Alex Aparicio joins the team as a new sales representative in the Tahoe territory.
Crosman Corp., a subsidiary of Compass Diversified Holdings LLC, on Monday announced that the company’s board of directors has approved the holding company’s new name: Velocity Outdoor.
Salomon has appointed Robert Lazzaroni as Nordic regional commercial manager for the Americas, effective August 27.
Cherokee Global Brands announced that on August 3, 2018, the company replaced the company’s former credit facility with a new $40 million three-year financing agreement with Gordon Brothers Finance Company and Gordon Brothers and new subordinated promissory notes with existing subordinated lenders.
Under Armour Inc. announced that Mohamed A. El-Erian has joined the company’s board of directors, effective Oct. 1, 2018.
Newell Brands on Monday announced revenue from continuing operations of $2.2 billion, down from $2.5 billion in the same quarter a year ago due to the completed divestitures of The Waddington Group and Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Inc. and divestiture processes initiated on other assets.
Dick’s Sporting Goods will open a new store in Raleigh, NC, in August.
The July 2018 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 821,260 represented a decrease of 9.5 percent compared to the July 2017 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 907,348.
Photo courtesy Nike
