Aisle Talk Week Of June 15, 2020

<span style="color: #9e9e9e;">Read the top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market during the week of June 15, 2020 from this week’s SGB Updates — delivered to your inbox every business day.

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›Reports: Japan’s Renown May Face Liquidation | June 19
Japan’s Renown Inc., best known for its D’Urban and Arnold Palmer apparel brands, filed for bankruptcy in May and is on the facing liquidation, according to reports. Read more

›Davidson’s Promotes Tappan to Credit Manager Role | June 19
Firearms wholesaler, Davidson’s, has appointed Leah Tappan to the position of credit manager. Read more

›Delta Apparel Opening New Integrated Digital Print And Distribution Facility In Phoenix | June 19
Delta Apparel, Inc. is expanding its digital print business with the opening of a new integrated digital print and distribution facility in Phoenix, AZ, combining DTG2Go’s digital print business with Delta Apparel’s own supply of garments. Read more

›Retailers Applaud Supreme Court Ruling Supporting Dreamers | June 19
The National Retail Federation announced its support of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Read more

›Mercury Marine Named Preferred Engine Partner For Sting And Nordkapp Boats | June 19
Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, has entered into an agreement with Frydenbø to become the preferred engine partner of the company’s boat brands Sting and Nordkapp in all global markets. Read more

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›NGF Update: 20 Million Spring Rounds Lost To Covid-19 | June 18
The U.S. golf industry lost as many as 20 million rounds of golf in March and April due to course closures and coronavirus-induced anxiety, according to the most recent National Golf Foundation estimates. Read more

›Uncharted Supply Co. Secures Series A Funding From Black Oak Capital | June 18
Uncharted Supply Co., a maker of preparedness products, announced a new round of financing from Salt Lake City private equity firm, Black Oak Capital. Read more

›New Balance Makes Juneteenth A Paid Holiday | June 18
New Balance announced plans to close all operations, including owned stores, on Friday in observance of Juneteenth, which takes place on June 19 and commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Read more

›J.C. Penney Reaches Deal To Resume Nike Shipments | June 18
J.C. Penney Co., which filed for bankruptcy last month, won court approval to free up $30 million in Nike products that the sportswear giant had been holding back in a dispute over allegedly unpaid pre-Chapter 11 bills. Read more

›Opkix Inc. To Acquire The PogoCam Brand | June 18
Opkix Inc., a Costa Mesa, CA.-based maker of tiny cameras and an integrated social content app, announced the acquisition of the PogoCam brand and its associated intellectual property, including its patent portfolio. Read more

›Smith & Wesson’s Q4 Revenues Jump 33 Percent | June 18
Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. reported sales in the fourth quarter ended April 30 were $233.6 million compared with $175.7 million for the fourth quarter last year, an increase of 32.9 percent. The company showed a steep loss in the quarter due to an impairment charge for the Outdoor Products & Accessories segment, which is being spun-off, related to the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

›Target Bumps Starting Minimum Wage to $15/Hour, Adds Frontline Worker Bonus | June 18
Target will permanently raise its starting wage for U.S. employees to $15 per hour, commencing July 5, 2020. The move was announced with a range of updates and extensions to its pay and benefits programs. Read more

›U.S. Skier Visits Down 14 Percent for 2019/20 Season But Still Rank In Top Five | June 18
Skier visit numbers to U.S. ski areas totaled 51.1 million for the 2019/20 ski season, down almost 14 percent over the 2018/19 season, according to a report from The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). Read more

›Primary Arms Government Adds Eastern Law Enforcement Sales Agent | June 18
Primary Arms Government has added Matthew Foust in the role of Eastern Region Law Enforcement Sales Agent. Read more

›Walther Arms Taps McCanna To Lead Sales Effort | June 18
Walther Arms has hired Rob McCanna as VP of sales. His resume includes 15 years in a variety of executive sales roles with Remington Arms including senior vice president, global sales and marketing. Read more

›Emerald Releases Preparedness, Prevention And Response Plan | June 18
Emerald Holding, Inc., the parent of Outdoor Retailer, Surf Expo and other trade shows, announced its commitment to providing an elevated standard of health and safety protocols in preparation for the anticipated reopening of the company’s live events. Read more

›NCAA Approves Plans For College Football’s Return | June 18
The NCAA Council approved a phased plan that, barring further complications of the coronavirus pandemic, will allow the 2020 college football season to start on time. Read more

›Liquidation Sales Begin At 137 J.C. Penney Locations | June 18
A team of disposition firms consisting of Gordon Brothers, Hilco Merchant Resources, Great American Group, and Tiger Group announced that they have commenced store closing sales at 137 J.C. Penney Company Inc. stores. The closures are the Company’s first step in implementing a planned store optimization strategy after filing for bankruptcy last month. Read more

›Designer Brands Q1 Sales Drop 45 Percent | June 18
Designer Brands Inc., the parent of DSW, reported a loss in the first quarter ended May 2 of $215.9 million that included pre-tax charges totaling $112.3 million covering impairment charges, integration and restructuring expenses and COVID-19 incremental costs. Revenues were down 44.7 percent despite a 25 percent hike in online sales. The Company has reopened approximately 90 percent of its total store base. Read more

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›Fox Factory Holding Announces Pricing Of Upsized Common Stock Offering | June 17
Fox Factory Holding Corp. announced that it has priced its previously announced underwritten public offering of 2.4 million shares of the company’s common stock at a public offering price of $76.00 per share for gross proceeds to the company of $182.4 million. Read more

›Fasthouse Partners With Outdoor Gear Canada | June 17
Fasthouse, California-based soft goods brand for mountain bike and motorsport, has signed a multi-year distribution agreement for its mountain bike products in Canada with Outdoor Gear Canada (OGC), a leading supplier of cycling products. Read more

›Ben Hogan Golf Enjoys Surging Online Business Despite Golf’s Shutdown | June 17
Despite golf’s shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company said it has enjoyed surging online sales, thanks to the company’s factory-direct business model through benhogangolf.com. Read more

›NSSF And Ducks Unlimited Applaud Passage Of Great American Outdoors Act | June 17
The NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, and Ducks Unlimited, the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s waterfowl habitats, applauded the Senate’s passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. Read more

›Cat Footwear Appoints VP Of Marketing | June 17
Cat Footwear, owned by Wolverine Worldwide, appointed Kelly Ballou as its VP of marketing. Read more

›Outdoor Gear Builders Appoints Executive Director | June 17
Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC (Western North Carolina), the first gear builder association in the outdoor industry, announced the appointment of Andy Williamson to the new executive director role. Read more

›2020 U.S. Open To Be Held Without Fans | June 17
The 2020 US Open is set to be played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, NY on its originally scheduled dates of August 31 to September 13 although no fans will be on-site. Read more

›Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act | June 17
The U.S. Senate voted 73-25 to passed the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, landmark conservation legislation that fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at a level of $900 million every year and addresses the approximately $20 billion maintenance backlog on federal public lands. Read more

›RIA Announces Initial Brand Lineup For Kick On-Demand | June 17
The Running Industry Association’s (RIA) has announced the initial brand lineup for its virtual buying show, RIA Kick On-Demand. As of Wednesday, June 17, the show will feature over thirty footwear, apparel and accessory brands including Brooks, Asics, Altra, Nike, and Saucony. Read more

›Rollerblade Seeing Sales Soar Amid Pandemic | June 17
Rollerblade said sales have increased more than 300 percent since the beginning of March as the COVID-19 pandemic was emerging. In May, the brand experienced its largest shipping month in the past 20 years in the U.S. market. Read more

›24 Hour Fitness Receives Court Approval Of $250 Million In Financing | June 17
24 Hour Fitness has received approvals from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for the First Day motions related to the Company’s voluntary Chapter 11 filing on June 15, 2020. The approved motions will support the Company’s continued business operations while it implements the financial restructuring process. Read more

›Brunswick Corp. Promotes Two People To Key Finance Positions | June 17
The Brunswick Corporation board of directors has appointed Ryan M. Gwillim as senior vice president and CFO, effective immediately. Brian Frey has been promoted to vice president and treasurer. Read more

›PeopleForBikes Promotes Three To Senior Leadership Team | June 17
PeopleForBikes has promoted three current staff members to vice president positions, rounding out the leadership team at the helm of the national bike advocacy and industry organization. Read more

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›Apex Global Brands Shrinks Q1 Loss | June 16
Apex Global Brands, the parent of Hi-Tec, Cherokee and Tony Hawk,  narrowed its loss in the first quarter despite a revenue decline due to the non-renewal of certain license agreements along with the impacts of COVID-19. The company received an extension of its forbearance agreement with its lenders, including a suspension of interest and principal payments. (Read More)

›Converse Signs First Female Basketball Player | June 16
Converse signed Natasha Cloud, the star guard of the Washington Mystics guard. She becomes the first female basketball player to ever ink a deal with the storied athletic brand. Read more

›Report: U.S. Cycling Market Surges in April With Sales Up 75 Percent | June 16
The NPD Group is reporting that April sales for traditional bikes, indoor bikes, parts, helmets, and other accessories grew a combined 75 percent to $1 billion compared to last year. Read more

›Wigwam Mills Sued By Terminated CEO | June 16
Wigwam Mills Inc. has been sued by its former CEO for issues stemming from his April termination from the company. Read more

›Adidas VP Joins Cole Haan | June 16
Cole Haan Inc. appointed Andrew Rudolph as senior vice president, North American wholesale sales. Rudolph was vice president, wholesale sales USA at Adidas Group. Read more

›Topgolf Earns U.S. Best Managed Companies Award | June 16
Topgolf Entertainment Group has been recognized with the U.S. Best Managed Companies award, sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. As part of its inaugural program in the U.S., this award recognizes private companies demonstrating excellence in strategy, execution, culture and financials. Read more

›Hydrow Announces $25M In Funding | June 16
Hydrow, the connected at-home rowing system, has secured $25 million in financing led by L Catterton, the private equity firm. The fundraising also includes support from the brand’s other existing investors including Rx3 Ventures (Co-founded by Greenbay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers). This extension will bring the total capital raised to $52 million. Read more

›Dick’s SG Launches Two New Concept Stores | June 16
Dick’s Sporting Goods said it will be expanding its nationwide footprint with the opening of two new concept stores – Overtime by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse. With these openings, Dick’s will have 11 outlets and clearance centers open in nine different states. Read more

›Fitbit Introduces Ready For Work Solutions | June 16
Fitbit announced a new Ready for Work solution to help employers with the challenge of returning to the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fitbit’s Ready for Work solution gives employees access to key health metrics from their Fitbit device along with exposure, symptom and temperature logging, all within a Daily Check-In feature that provides employees with guidance on whether to go into the workplace. Read more

›May Retail Sales Improve Dramatically Over April, Still Below Last Year | June 16
Retail sales rose dramatically in May as retailers and other businesses closed by the coronavirus pandemic began to reopen, but remained well below spending levels seen during the same period a year ago, the National Retail Federation said. Read more

›Orchid Advisors Taps Smith & Wesson Vet To Run Sales & Marketing | June 16
Orchid Advisors has appointed Shaun Phelan as VP sales and marketing. Read more

›AlterG Announces Settlement Of Federal Trade Secrets Lawsuit | June 16
AlterG Inc. announced the dismissal of its federal trade secret and breach of contract lawsuit against Boost Treadmills LLC and three former employees, pursuant to a confidential settlement agreement. Read more

›Iovate Health Sciences Hires CEO | June 16
Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc., the parent of MuscleTech, Six Star Pro Nutrition, Purely Inspired, Hydroxycut, and Conscious Kitchen appointed Tim Toll as its new CEO. Read more

›BN3TH Apparel Hires Key Account Manager | June 16
BN3TH Apparel announced that Mike Loughlin will join their team as the US Key Account Manager in July of this year. Read more

›Lucas Oil Outdoor Line Signs Eastern U.S. Territory Rep Groups | June 16
Lucas Oil Outdoor Line has signed V. Pestilli & Associates Inc. and Outdoor Marketing Group to represent them in the Eastern United States. Read more

›Winchester Awarded U.S. Department Of Defense Contract | June 16
Winchester Ammunition has recently been selected for a $38 million contract, this time by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The selected 9mm frangible ammunition will be used for close-quarter battle (CQB) combat and indoor/outdoor CQB training. Read more

›Canada Goose Appoints North America President And Chief Of Staff | June 16
Canada Goose has appointed Carrie Baker as President, North America and Kara MacKillop as Chief of Staff and EVP People & Culture. Read more

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›Mall Landlords, Authentic Brands In Talks To Acquire J.C. Penney | June 15
Mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield have partnered with Authentic Brands to explore a purchase of bankrupt department-store chain J.C. Penney, sources told Bloomberg. Read more

›Xponential Fitness Debuts GO Online Workouts Across Eight Brands | June 15
Xponential Fitness, the parent of Club Pilates, Pure Barre and CycleBar, officially announced the launch of its GO platform which brings live and on-demand content across numerous boutique verticals to members. Brands within the Xponential Fitness portfolio also include StretchLab, Row House, YogaSix, AKT, and STRIDE. Read more

›McRae Industries Q3 Sales Drop 23 Percent | June 15
McRae Industries Inc., the maker of military combat boots and western and work boots, reported revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 ending on May 2 of $14.29 million as compared to $18.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company experienced a net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 in the amount of $504,000, or 22 cents a share, compared to net earnings of $386,000, or 16 cents, for the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Read more

›Snap Partners With Headspace | June 15
Snap Inc., the parent of Snapchat, announced a series of new features designed to educate and empower members of the Snapchat community to support friends who might be struggling with their social and emotional wellbeing. This effort includes a new partnership with Headspace, maker of the meditation and mindfulness app, on new tools and premium content. Read more

›Pent-Up Demand Drives Record Booking Pace At Southeast Destinations | June 15
After three months of minimal activity, lodging properties around the Southeast region are rebounding as destination visitors set a record for summer bookings during the month of May, according to a monthly briefing from DestiMetrics, a division of Inntopia. Read more

›Oofos Partners With Pro Football Hall Of Famer Deion Sanders | June 15
“These are the most comfortable slides I’ve ever worn in my life. This is coming from a dude who is 52, has had three toe surgeries and is in need of a fourth. These shoes changed the game for me!” -Deion Sanders  Read more

›24 Hour Fitness Files For Bankruptcy | June 15
24 Hour Fitness has filed for bankruptcy after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its facilities to shut for months. The chain has permanently closed 100 U.S. locations in 14 states with roughly 300 clubs remaining. Read more

›HitTrax Announces $20,000 HitTrax Open For MiLB, Softball And Olympic Players | June 15
InMotion Systems, LLC, developer of the HitTrax Data Capture & Simulation System, announced that it will utilize its gaming platform to host the first HitTrax Open to be held on the weekends of July 18 and 25. Marucci Sports and Lizard Skins will co-sponsor the event. Read more

›New Campaign Touts Fishing And Boating For Pandemic Stress Relief | June 15
As COVID-19 continues to wear on Americans’ mental health, Take Me Fishing and Discover Boating are launching a new public service campaign called Get On Board to raise awareness about the wellness benefits of fishing and boating. Read more

›Valerie Dixon To Oversee American Baitworks Pro And Field Staff, Special Events | June 15
Valerie Dixon has joined the team at American Baitworks Co. as pro staff manager and event coordinator. Read more

›Decathlon Opens Dublin Flagship | June 15
Decathlon opened a flagship location in Dublin, marking its first location in the Republic of Ireland. Over the next few years, the French sports retailer expects to open nine outlets in Ireland. It already has stores in Northern Ireland. Read more

›Salt Life Sees Robust DTC Sales In May | June 15
Delta Apparel Inc. announced strong direct-to-consumer sales results for its Salt Life brand including its ten owned and operated branded retail stores and its branded e-commerce site www.saltlife.com, for the month ended May 30. Read more

›Nike’s Phil Knight To Receive Honorary Doctorate From Oregon | June 15
Phil Knight, who graduated from The University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in 1959, will be given an honorary doctorate degree from his alma mater at a virtual ceremony on June 20. Read more

Photo courtesy CSA