Aisle Talk Week Of July 20, 2020

<span style="color: #a1a1a1;">The Top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market for the week of July 13, 2020 covered in the SGB Updates — delivered to your inbox every business day.

— July 24, 2020 —

›Wilson Continues Sponsorship Of Autism Speaks
Wilson Sporting Goods announced the continuation of its partnership with Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of people with autism and their families. Wilson will donate $100,000 this year to support the organization’s mission. Read more

›Under Armour Signs WNBA Rookies As Ambassadors
Under Armour has signed Bella Alarie and Tyasha “Ty” Harris, both recently drafted by the rising Dallas Wings, and fellow WNBA rookie Kaila Charles of the Connecticut Sun to its team of ambassadors. Read more

›Skechers Q2 Revenues Tumble 42 Percent
Skechers reported a steep loss in the second quarter ended June 30 as sales plunged 42.0 percent due to store closures tied to COVID-19. The brand said more than 90 percent of its Skechers stores have re-opened and some markets are in the early stages of recovery, including a return to growth in China. Read more

›Under Armour Appoints Senior Director Of Sales In EMEA
Under Armour has appointed Phil Fox as senior director of sales in EMEA, according to Fashion Network. Read more

›Adidas Appoints General Manager, France
Adidas has appointed Mathieu Sidokpohou as general manager of France, replacing Guillaume de Monplanet, according to Fashion Network. Read more

›Herschel Supply Appoints SVP Of Global Sales
Herschel Supply Co. has tapped Brian White senior vice president of global sales. Read more

›Majority Of Americans Don’t Plan To Renew Gym Memberships Post-COVID-19
According to a survey from TD Ameritrade, 59 percent of Americans don’t plan to renew their gym memberships after the pandemic is over. Read more

›Eric McCrite Company Strikes Multi-Year Licensing Deal For Pastry Brand
Eric McCrite Company and Vida Shoes International Inc. announced a new licensing agreement for the Pastry brand of dance footwear, clothing and accessories. Read more

›Sports & Fitness Industry Does Not Expect Full Return In 2020
Seventy-two percent of companies now anticipate that sales will not return to pre-COVID-19 numbers until 2021, and 53 percent report not until Q2 of 2021, according to the SFIA’s 3rd Edition of its monthly COVID-19 Industry Impact Report. Read more

›Foot Locker Implements New Organizational Structure
Foot Locker Inc. announced a new organizational structure designed to elevate the customer experience. The moves include the appointment of Frank Bracken as CEO of North America, Andy Gray as chief commercial officer and Scott Martin as CEO of Asia Pacific. Lew Kimble and Jake Jacobs are retiring. Read more

›Industry Groups Hail Passage Of Great American Outdoors Act
REI, OIA, NSSF, and a wide range of other industry groups hailed the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the Great American Outdoors Act. Read more

›Congress Passes The Great American Outdoors Act
The U.S. House on Wednesday passed the Great American Outdoors Act by a vote of 310 to 107 guaranteeing for the first time money for land acquisition and preservation. The bill now heads to President Trump who is expected to sign it. Read more

— July 22, 2020 —

›Nike Tops BrandZ’s Most Valuable Apparel Brands
Nike was again the top-ranked apparel brand in the 2020 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking released by WPP and Kantar, although Lululemon, Adidas and The North Face all saw double-digit appreciation. Read more

›Closed Loop Partners Launches Consortium To Address Retail Bags
The Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners has partnered with five retailers, CVS Health, Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Walgreens, to form a consortium aimed at reinventing the single-use plastic retail bag. Read more

›Alterra Mountain Company Announces EVP & CFO
Alterra Mountain Company announced the promotion of Adam Knox as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Knox most recently served as the Senior VP, Strategy & Corporate Development. Read more

›Comscore Finds Consumers Shifting Focus To Sports And Outdoor Activities
According to new research from Comscore, consumers are shifting discretionary spending away from typical summer travel and ticketed events and focusing instead on family-oriented outdoor activities. Read more

›A1Supplements Acquired By Gotham Cigars
A1Supplements, the online sports supplement retailer, has been acquired by Gotham Cigars. A1Supplements Founder and CEO Nick Saliba, who has worked on the business since 1997, is stepping away from his day-to-day responsibilities. Read more

›Nike Announces  Leadership Changes To Support Consumer Direct Acceleration
Nike announced a series of senior leadership changes supporting the company’s Consumer Direct Acceleration. Among the changes, Amy Montagne becomes VP/GM, Men’s; Whitney Malkiel becomes VP/GM, Women’s; and McCallester Dowers becomes VP/GM, Kids. All three will report to Michael Spillane, who becomes president, Consumer Creation. Read more

›Fanatics Partners With Marshawn Lynch’s Beast Mode
NFL running back Marshawn Lynch and Fanatics announced an exclusive, multi-year deal that will see Fanatics operate an online and mobile shopping experience for Lynch’s Beast Mode apparel company. Read more

›Texworld USA, Apparel Sourcing USA Summer Virtual Sourcing Event Opens
Texworld USA, alongside Apparel Sourcing USA, has opened its 2020 summer edition virtually. Traditionally held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, the Sourcing Event of the Summer is opening to a larger audience for three days of sourcing, education and networking. Read more

›Stage Stores Starts Going-Out-of-Business Sales
Joint venture partners Gordon Brothers and Hilco Merchant Resources announced that they have started “Going-Out-of-Business” sales at 720 Stage Store locations, including Gordmans as well as Stage, Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, and Peebles stores. Read more

›Everest.com Launches Celebrity Storefronts
Everest.com, the online marketplace for the shooting sports industry, announced the launch of Celebrity Storefronts, a new component to the Everest marketplace featuring a dozen celebrity storefronts designed and published by outdoor influencers and celebrities. Read more

›Thule Sees 12 Percent Q2 Revenue Slump
Thule Group reported earnings declined 25.5 percent in the second quarter as sales were down 11.6 percent. Read more

›NFHS Issues Fall Sports Status Update
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) provided an update as of July 20 of state associations that have delayed the start of the fall sports season because of COVID-19. Read more

›VF Corp. To Open Multi-Brand Retail Store In Milan
VF Corp. plans to open its first multi-brand store this fall in Milan, Italy. The store, inside a historic building at 11 Orefici Street, will feature The North Face, Timberland and Napapijri with other VF brands periodically showcasing their collections. Read more

— July 21, 2020 —

›World Surf League Cancels 2020 Season
The World Surf League announced the cancellation of its 2020 Championship Tour and Qualifying Series seasons. The professional surfing circuit decided to end this year’s competition due to COVID-19. Read more

›Volcom Stores Opening In China
Authentic Brands Group, the owner of a global portfolio of lifestyle and entertainment brands, announced the expansion of Volcom in partnership with China Ting Group, a China-based lifestyle company specializing in retail development and brand building. Read more

›Jordan Brand’s Jumpman Logo To Appear On NBA ‘Statement’ Uniforms
Nike Inc. said Jordan Brand’s Jumpman logo will appear on all NBA Statement Edition uniforms beginning with the 2020/21 season. Read more

›Adidas Becomes Official Kit Partner Of Leeds United
Leeds United said Adidas will become its official kit partner from the 2020/21 season in a record-breaking deal for the club. Adidas will take over from the Italian sportswear brand Kappa. Read more

›Amazon Confirms Prime Day Delay In The U.S.
Amazon Prime Day, which typically takes place in mid-July, has been postponed due to COVID-19. Read more

›OIA Launches Outdoor Industry Business Certificate Program
The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) in partnership with Utah State University and Western Colorado University, launched select courses from its Outdoor Industry Business Certificate program. The program offers a suite of continuing education certificates tailored to outdoor industry professionals. Read more

›Camping World Announces 12.5 Percent Increase in Quarterly Dividend
Camping World Holdings Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has approved a 12.5 percent increase in the company’s regular quarterly dividend. Read more

›Zenni Optical Partners With The Boston Red Sox
Zenni Optical, the online eyewear retailer, announced it will become the Official Eyewear of the Boston Red Sox beginning with the 2020 Major League Baseball season. Read more

›SIA Shifts To Educational Platform Amid COVID-19 Challenges
Snowsports Industries America (SIA) announced its year-round educational platform to provide current and new members tools and programs to short-term recovery during COVID-19 and long-term business success. Read more

›Nike Partners To Launch Global Carbon-Neutral Group
Nike Inc. joined eight other major corporations including Microsoft, Starbucks and Unilever, to form a new consortium with a goal of accelerating the transition to a net-zero global economy. Read more

›Fitness International’s Debt Ratings Lowered To Negative
S&P revised its ratings outlook on Fitness International LLC, the parent of LA Fitness, to negative from developing because of significant near-term downside risks due to COVID-19. Read More

›Renfro’s Debt Downgraded By S&P
S&P lowered its debt rating on U.S. sock manufacturer Renfro Corp. after finding a recent financial transaction tantamount to a default on its existing term loan. Read more

›REI To Open Stores In Gainesville And Billings
REI Co-op on July 24 will open stores in Gainesville, FL and Billings, MO. Read more

›Powdr Corp.’s Debt Rated B2 On Proposed Debt Offering
Moody’s Investors Service assigned ratings for Powdr Corp., including a B2 Corporate Family Rating (CFR) and a B2-PD Probability of Default Rating. Concurrently, Moody’s assigned a B1 rating to the company’s proposed $300 million senior secured notes due 2025. The outlook is negative. Read more

›Report: Topgolf Exploring Going Public
Topgolf International Inc. is discussing going public through a merger with Churchill Capital Corp. II, a public investment vehicle, according to a report from Bloomberg. Read more

— July 20 —

›IHRSA Goes Virtual With Innovation Summit
The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) announced plans to hold the IHRSA Innovation Summit, a one-day interactive, virtual event on September 17. Read more

›RYU Apparel Postpones Private Placement
RYU Apparel Inc. postponed its previously announced private placement as well as plans to go ahead with a share consolidation. Read more

›Hibbett Sports Seeing Comps Surge In Q2
Hibbett Sports said it expects same-store sales to catapult in excess of 70 percent in the second quarter ended August 1 boosted by pent-up demand, stimulus checks and temporary and permanent store closures from competitors. Read more

›Canterbury Renews Irish Rugby Football Union Sponsorship
Canterbury, the UK-based apparel brand focused mainly on rugby, renewed its Official Kit partnership with the Irish Rugby Football Union for four more years. Read more

›NGF Update: Golf Trips Could Be Down 40 Percent In 2020
The latest consumer research from the National Golf Foundation indicates that the overall volume of golf trips in the U.S. could be down 35 percent to 40 percent in 2020 due to the coronavirus. Read more

›SDSI Expands And Lifts Geographic Limitations
San Diego Sport Innovators (SDSI), the nonprofit that has traditionally supported Southern California’s sports and active lifestyle (SAL) economy, has lifted geographic limitations and now offers Active Lifestyle business expertise to any company in the SAL Industry. Read more

›Outerbike Cancels Remaining 2020 Events
Outerbike, the three-day experiential consumer bike event, announced the cancellation of its remaining three Outerbike events that were on the 2020 calendar: South Lake Tahoe, Moab and Bentonville. At the same time, the organization announced a new feature it will launch on its website to guide online consumers to help find a bike. Read more

›Wanda Sports Completes Sale Of The Ironman Group
Wanda Sports Group Company Limited announced that the company has completed the previously announced sale of The Ironman Group to Advance, a private, family-owned business that invests in a broad range of media and technology companies. The sale reflects an enterprise value of $730 million (before closing adjustments). Read more

›Christie’s Partners With Stadium Goods On Rare Jordan Sneaker Auction
Christie’s announced a partnership with Stadium Goods to offer a collection of rare sneakers game-worn by, or made exclusively for, basketball legend Michael Jordan at an online-only auction starting July 30. Read more

›Go Outdoors Administration To Likely See Small Recovery To Unsecured Creditors
Go Outdoors, the UK retailer required JD Sports in a pre-pack administration, could see its unsecured creditors recoup just 1 penny in every $1 owed, according to the case’s administrators from Deloitte LLP. Read more

›Hudson’s Bay CFO To Depart
Hudson’s Bay Co., the parent of Saks Fifth Avenue and the Canadian retailer Hudson’s Bay, said Ed Record, its CFO, is leaving the company. The exit follows a deal to take the company private in March and the departure of its CEO, Helena Foulkesleft, soon thereafter. Read more

›NRF Welcomes Healthy Workplace Tax Credit
The National Retail Federation welcomed legislation that would give businesses a tax credit intended to help defer the cost of employee COVID-19 testing, personal protective equipment, cleaning, and other steps needed to make workplaces safe. Read more

›Retail Shrink Totaled $61.7 Billion In 2019 Amid Rising Employee Theft And Shoplifting/ORC
Theft, fraud and losses from other retail “shrink” totaled $61.7 billion in 2019, up from $50.6 billion the year prior, as industry security executives reported increases in the number of shoplifting, organized retail crime and employee theft incidents, according to the annual National Retail Security Survey released by the National Retail Federation. Read more

›Boardriders Respond To The Recent WSL Tour Changes
Boardriders said Quiksilver and Roxy have agreed to sponsor a new Challenger Series event in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in the fall of 2021. Read more

›Conservation Groups Support Lawsuit To Overturn “Waters of the United States” Rule
Representatives of thousands of sportsmen and women across the country filed a friend of the court brief in support of a lawsuit to overturn the Waters of the United States rule (2020 WOTUS rule). Read more

›MarineMax Appoints President Of Retail Operations
MarineMax announced the promotion of Kyle Langbehn to president of retail operations. Read more

›Johnny Morris’ ‘Wonders of Wildlife’ Once Again Named #1 Aquarium
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium has been voted America’s Best Aquarium through a national public poll conducted by USA Today ranking the Top 20 prominent institutions across North America. Read more

›Foot Locker Amends, Repays Credit Agreement
Foot Locker Inc. said in a regulatory filing that on July 14 it extended the maturity date of its revolving credit facility to July 14, 2025 and expanded the aggregate commitments of the lenders under the facility to $600 million. Read more

Photo courtesy Frame/Jag Studio