Aisle Talk Week Of June 8, 2020

<span style="color: #999494;">On Monday, NYC started to reopen 100 days after the city reported its first case of the coronavirus. As the epicenter of the outbreak here in the U.S. with more than 200,000 confirmed cases and more than 20,000 deaths, the first phase of reopening brought 400,000 employees back to work on construction sites and at retail with many stores offering curbside and in-store pickup.

More top National Stories and the Latest Headlines from SGB Updates across the Active Lifestyle Market during the week of June 8, 2020 follows.

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›Bushnell Named Official Optic Of Realtree | June 12
Bushnell has been named the “Official Optic” of Realtree. This new agreement expands the partnership between two of the industry’s top hunting brands with Bushnell Optics enjoying exclusive placement across all Realtree television, digital and social channels. Read more

›NOAA Fisheries Study Reveals $10.5 Billion Impact From Marine Recreational Fishing Trips | June 12
NOAA Fisheries has confirmed that marine recreational fishing is a far greater economic force in the United States than their previous evaluations had indicated. Read more

›Interior Department Report Reveals $41.7 Billion Benefit From National Parks In 2019 | June 12
U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt has announced the annual economic benefit of national parks to the U.S. and local economies. In 2019, visitor spending in communities near national parks resulted in a $41.7 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 340,500 jobs. Read more

›Accell Group Sees Bike Sales Rebound In May As Europe Re-Opens; Cuts Dividend | June 12
Accell Group N.V. reported that bike sales in May rebounded after weak March and April sales. The Dutch company also said it had arranged “an additional credit facility as a precautionary action to secure robust access to liquidity in light of the uncertainty and volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Read more

›Survey Finds Majority Of Fans Ready To Return To Live Events | June 12
Nearly 55 percent of fans are ready to return to live events today with another 45 percent cautiously optimistic to come back within the year once events return if crowd sizes are limited and social distanced seating options are offered, according to a survey from Experience, an Atlanta-based mobile ticketing app. Read more

›Varsity Brands Offering $100 Million Of Debt | June 12
Varsity Brands Holding Co. and its Hercules Achievement subsidiary are jointly offering $100 million of senior secured notes due 2024. The proceeds will be used to pay down borrowings on its revolving credit facility. Read more

›Lululemon DTC Surges To 54 Percent Of Sales In Fiscal First Quarter | June 11
Lululemon Athletica Inc. reported that net revenue for the first quarter ended May 3 was $652.0 million, a decrease of 17 percent, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Read more

›Nike Makes Juneteenth An Annual Paid Holiday | June 11
Nike is making Juneteenth, which takes place on June 19 and commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., an official paid company holiday, CEO John Donahoe said Thursday in a letter to employees. He also said Nike will be taking further steps to ensure Black, Latino and Women are properly represented at Nike. Read more

›PVH Reports Q1 Revenue Drops 43 Percent | June 11
PVH Corp., the parent of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Izod, reported first-quarter revenue decreased 43 percent to $1.344 billion and was down 42 percent on a  constant-currency basis compared to the prior-year period. Read more

›Girl Scouts Offers Virtual Camp And Safe Outdoor Activities To Girls Nationwide | June 11
Girl Scouts of the USA is launching three outdoor initiatives to keep girls entertained and engaged in virtual and in-person environmental activities starting this summer. Offerings include virtual summer camps, free online experiences tied to the outdoors and virtual events. Read more

›Private School Students Reported Experiencing More Concussions Than Public Students | June 11
In a new study of 2,047 New England private high school student-athletes published in the Journal of School Health, 33 percent of students self-reported experiencing a concussion in their lifetime. Read more

›American Sportfishing Association Elects 2020 Board Members | June 11
Four members of the American Sportfishing Association were elected to fill two At-Large seats and two regional seats on its board of directors. Read more

›Report: Spike In Ammo Sales Reflects Rise In African American Gun Owners | June 11
Online ammunition retailer Ammo.com, which has just celebrated the three-year anniversary of its partnership with the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA), provides insight into the ammo buying habits of NAAGA members following the death of George Floyd. Read more

›Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario Steps Down | June 11
Patagonia’s CEO Rose Marcario has stepped down after a six-year stint. COO Doug Freeman is taking her place momentarily until the search for a successor is found. Read more

›Apollo Custom Hires Director of Operations | June 11
Apollo Custom, Inc. has hired Jessica Tucker Grubbs as its new Director of Operations. Read more

›NSSF, Project Childsafe Emphasizes Firearm Safety As First-Time Gun Ownership Surges | June 11
Project ChildSafe and NSSF are emphasizing gun safety as a critical part of home safety as National Safety Month kicks off and as the nationwide surge in firearm sales continues and includes millions of first-time buyers. Read more

›OIA Elects One Returning Board Member; Adds Four New Faces | June 11
Outdoor Industry Association elected one returning director four new incoming directors who will officially begin their three-year terms at the upcoming board meeting on June 22. Read more

›ORR Makes Final Push For Senate To Pass The Great American Outdoors Act | June 11
Over 100 outdoor businesses, from Fortune 500 companies to mom and pop shops, including specialty retailers, apparel, gear and vehicle manufacturers, outfitters and guides, campground and marina operators, and more sent a letter to Senate leadership urging swift passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. Read more

›Lolë Parent Files For Bankruptcy In Canada | June 11
Coalision, the Montreal-based parent of Lolë and Paradox activewear brands, has filed to reorganize under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act in Canada to seek new funding or a buyer. Read more

›NGF Finds Golf Participation Spiked In Areas That Faced Restrictions | June 11
According to an analysis by the National Golf Foundation (NGF), golf participation has picked up in recent weeks in several key golf markets as courses reopen with the surge in play most pronounced in courses that faced restrictions. Read more

›Report: COVID-19 Has Not Reduced Consumers’ Demand For Sustainable Solutions | June 11
Kearney’s annual Earth Day survey found consumers still show a strong and growing interest in the environment even as COVID-19 continues to impact the nation. Read more

›RECALL: Field & Stream Safety Ropes | June 11
About 63,000 Field & Stream safety ropes are being recalled by Dick’s Sporting Goods. According to a release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the ropes can fail when used in freezing conditions, posing fall and injury hazards. Read more

›Emerald Holding To Receive $400 Million Convertible Preferred Stock Infusion | June 11
Emerald Holding Inc., the parent of Surf Expo, Outdoor Retailer and other trade shows, announced plans to raise $400 million through the issuance of convertible participating preferred stock to affiliates of Onex Corporation, the company’s controlling stockholder and in a subsequent rights offering. Read more

›Head Appoints VP of Marketing, North America | June 11
Head promoted Jeff Bardsley, a 27-year veteran, to VP of marketing, North America. Bardsley has held a variety of positions within Head Canada. Read more

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›Survey Highlights Disruption Facing Endurance Race Events | June 10
According to a recent survey of nearly 400 endurance event professionals from Running USA, 67 percent expect to need additional funding to support their events beyond the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read more

›Hunter Boots CEO Exits Amid Strategic Review | June 10
Hunter Boots announced that CEO Vincent Wauters will step down “by mutual agreement” at the end of July to pursue new opportunities. His exit comes as Hunter begins a strategic review. Wauters joined Hunter in 2016 from Arc’teryx, where he was president. Read more

›Safilo’s Debt Rating Downgraded | June 10
Moody’s Investors Service lowered its debt rating on the Italian eyeglass manufacturer Safilo S.p.A. due to the prolonged lockdown measures in most European and American countries and its impact on sales, distribution and manufacturing. Read more

›MLS To Return July 8 | June 10
Major League Soccer (MLS) announced the league’s plan to restart the 2020 season with all 26 clubs competing in the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida beginning July 8.  Read more

›Christy Sports Donates $165,000 For COVID-19 Relief | June 10
Christy Sports LLC, one of the largest ski retailers in the U.S., announced over $165,000 in donations for COVID-19 relief. The company focused on contributions in Colorado, Utah, Washington, and New Mexico to support communities where they operate. Read more

›Outdoor Retailer Introduces Outdoor Retailer Online This Summer | June 10
Outdoor Retailer has launched a new Outdoor Retailer Online platform in the wake of the cancellation of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market due to COVID-19. An online, three-day outdoor business, networking and educational event will run from July 21-23, 2020. Read more

›Merrell Appoints Chief Marketing Officer | June 10
Merrell, a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc., announced the appointment of Janice Tennant to the position of chief marketing officer, reporting directly to Merrell’s global brand president, Chris Hufnagel. She was formerly chief marketing officer for Cat Footwear. Read more

›Great American Outdoors Act Moves Toward Final Senate Passage | June 10
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted 80-17 to proceed with consideration of the Great American Outdoors Act, a massive legislative package to fund access to and maintenance of the nation’s public lands. A final vote on the measure is expected within a week. Read more

›CrossFit’s Founder Resigns Following Comments On George Floyd | June 10
Greg Glassman, founder and CEO of CrossFit, is stepping down in the wake of making numerous insensitive comments about the death of George Floyd. Dave Castro, the director of the CrossFit Games and co-director of training, will assume the CEO role. Read more

›USTA To Cut 110 Jobs, Close New York Headquarters | June 10
The USTA (U.S. Tennis Association) announced plans to lay off 110 employees and close its White  Plains, NY office as part of a restructuring in the wake of COVID-19. Read more

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›JustFab And ShoeDazzle Hire New Chief Merchant | June 9
TechStyle Fashion Group, the fashion retailer known for its membership-based digital brands Fabletics, Savage X Fenty, JustFab, ShoeDazzle and FabKids, announced the appointment of industry veteran Nina Fuhrman to chief merchant for JustFab and ShoeDazzle. Read more

›Adidas Commits To Hiring More Black And Latino Employees | June 9
Adidas, facing calls for greater diversity within its ranks, announced plans to invest $20 million in black communities, support university scholarships for black employees and increase the number of black and Latino hires at its North American headquarters. Read more

›Pandemic’s Impact On Imports Easing | June 9
The impact of COVID-19 at major U.S. retail container ports appears to be easing slightly with projected imports remaining below last year’s levels but not as much as previously forecast, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. Read more

›Plattsburgh State Partners With BSN Sports, Nike | June 9
The Plattsburgh State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation in upstate New York has entered into a five-year partnership with Nike brand through BSN Sports. Read more

›Sparx Hockey Secures Equity Funding | June 9
North Castle Partners announced a strategic investment and partnership with Sparx Hockey, the inventors of the Sparx Skate Sharpener. The partnership provides the company with additional resources and expertise to assist Sparx Hockey in its continued growth and increasing global presence. Read more

›Study Finds Continued Increase In Concussions Among High School Athletes | June 9
A new study released by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons determined that despite increased awareness of concussions in high school athletics and traumatic brain injury (TBI) laws, the incidence continues to rise. Among the findings was that girl’s soccer players continue to have a higher proportion of concussions compared to boys football players while girls volleyball saw the largest increase on concussion rates. Read more

›24 Hour Fitness Begins Nationwide Club Reopening Process | June 9
24 Hour Fitness announced plans and strategies to reopen clubs post-COVID-19 as state and local governments and public health agencies indicate it is safe to do so and as stay-at-home orders are lifted. Read more

›HanesBrands Appoints Walmart Vet As CEO | June 9
HanesBrands, the parent of Champion, appointed Stephen B. Bratspies as CEO and board member, effective August 3. Most recently, he served as CMO at Walmart Inc. Bratspies will succeed Gerald W. Evans Jr., who previously announced his plans to retire after a 37-year career at HanesBrands. Read more

›Nightstick Selects H&G Marketing For U.S. Outdoor And Sporting Goods | June 9
Nightstick has selected H&G Marketing as its U.S. coast-to-coast marketing agency focused on outdoor and sporting goods. Read more

›Tim O’Connor Joins 1791 Gunleather As Marketing Director | June 9
1791 Gunleather has tapped Tim O’Connor as Director of Marketing. O’Connor joins the 1791 Gunleather team with over 25 years of sales and marketing experience in the hunting and shooting industry. In his new role, he will oversee all marketing activities for 1791 Gunleather. Read more

›Macy’s Logs Q1 Loss Of $652 Million | June 9
Macy’s Inc. said it expects to report a steep loss for the first quarter but it was in line with expectations. The leading department store chain also indicated that re-opened stores are outperforming expectations. Read more

›Dave Biggers Tapped For GM Post at SDS Imports | June 9
Dave Biggers has joined SDS Imports as general manager. Biggers, a firearms industry veteran, will take over daily operations at the SDS Knoxville, TN facility. Read more

›Genesco’s Q1 Sales Tumble 44 Percent | June 9
Genesco Inc., the parent of Journeys, reported a steep loss in the first quarter that included an impairment charge for Schuh. Sales tumbled 44 percent in the first quarter with stores closed starting in mid-March. The loss of sales due to store closures was partly offset by triple-digit e-commerce comp gain for the month of April and 64 percent comp growth for the first quarter. Read more

›Tender Corporation Changes Company Name To Adventure Ready Brands | June 9
Tender Corporation, which markets a range of first aid, insect repellent and outdoor recreation products, announced today that the Company will be doing business as Adventure Ready Brands to align more closely with the company’s mission. Read more

›Nike Signs Norwegian Women’s Soccer Star | June 9
Nike has signed Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg to a 10-year endorsement deal. The 24 years-old, already the UEFA Champions League career goals leader, had been with Puma. Read more

›Vail Resorts CEO To Donate $11.7 Million | June 9
Vail Resorts, Inc. announced that Chairman and CEO Rob Katz has exercised stock appreciation rights (SARs), that were set to expire in 2021, and will be making a charitable donation of 100 percent of the proceeds received. Katz plans to make immediate grants to support COVID-19 efforts, racial justice reform and programs for urban youth. Read more

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›24 Hour Fitness’ Debt Downgraded On Missed Interest Payments | June 8
S&P Global Ratings lowered its debt rating on 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide Inc. after the fitness chain did not make its June 1 interest payment on its senior notes due 2022. Read more

›House Transportation Bill Proposes Major Increases For Federal Bike Programs | June 8
PeopleForBikes said a new bill has been released by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that would significantly increase federal funding for bikes. Read more

›Isbjörn Of Sweden Launches Webshop In U.S. And Canada | June 8
Scandinavia’s sustainable outdoor kidswear brand, Isbjörn of Sweden, is opening a webshop in the U.S. and Canada this month. This is the first time North American customers have been able to purchase Isbjörn products stateside. Read more

›Crocs Announces New European Distribution Center | June 8
Crocs announced that construction has begun on its largest distribution center in Europe to be located in Dordrecht, the Netherlands. Read more

›Through6 Invests $2 Million In North Carolina Expansion | June 8
Through6, an on-demand, full cut and sew vertical manufacturing solution specializing in sublimation and direct to garment (DTG) apparel, will open a new facility in Sanford, NC. The company plans to locate the operation in phases, with total employment of 160 jobs and $2 million in capital investment when the facility is fully operational. Read more

›Reebok To Cut Ties With CrossFit Over Founder’s Racial Remarks | June 8
Reebok announced that it will end its association with CrossFit after CrossFit’s Founder and CEO Greg Glassman equated the police killing of a black man to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

›Backcountry Announces Executive Leadership Changes | June 8
Backcountry, the online outdoor retailer, named Melanie Cox, formerly interim CEO at rue21, as its chief executive officer. Jonathan Nielsen, Backcountry’s CEO since March 2016, is departing. Additionally, Sarah Crockett, formerly at Burton, has been appointed chief marketing officer. Read more

›Modell’s Extends Bankruptcy Suspension Until June 15 | June 8
Modell’s won another extension of the pause in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case as most stores remained closed due to COVID-19 and due to disturbances across retail following the May 25 killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Read more

›Jack Wolfskin’s CEO To Exit | June 8
Melody Harris-Jensbach, CEO of Jack Wolfskin, will depart. In a statement, the outerwear brand’s parent, Callaway Golf said an agreement had been reached more than a year ago that Harris-Jensbach would leave as soon as Jack Wolfskin’s integration into the Callaway Group was completed. Read more

›Foot Locker To Close All North American Stores For George Floyd’s Memorial Service | June 8
Foot Locker will close all its locations on Monday, June 8, in observance of George Floyd’s Celebration of Life Service. Read more

›Gap To Shutter Hill City | June 8
Gap Inc. announced plans to close its Hill City men’s performance brand. Read more

Lead photos courtesy ABC7 New York