Eddie Bauer and Pacific Sunwear, both owned by private-equity firm Golden Gate Capital, could merge in a play that would shrink store count from their combined 700 locations, sources told Reuters.

Asics announced a global partnership with The Walt Disney Co. on a cross-media campaign tied to upcoming movie release, Disney·Pixar Incredibles 2. The goal of the campaign is “to get families moving this summer.”

The retail industry employment increased by 28,800 jobs seasonally adjusted in May over April and 100,200 jobs unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said June 1.

Nordica on June 1 announced the signing of three new FIS Alpine World Cup athletes: Swiss racers Marc Rochat and Justin Murisier and Slovenian speed expert Boštjan Kline.

Newell Brands Inc. announced that Ralph Nicoletti, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will retire at the close of 2018.

Columbia Sportswear Co. announced that Andrew Burns has joined the company as director of investor relations and competitive intelligence.

Volcom announced the promotion of Jeffrey James “JJ” Gonzales to the role of global men’s design director.

Towson University in Maryland and Under Armour Inc. announced a continued partnership agreement.

A group of investors reportedly sent a letter to Big Five Sporting Goods’ board of directors on May 7 asserting the sporting good chain’s shares are “undervalued and represent an attractive investment opportunity,” according to a press release from the law firm Johnson Fistel.

Sport Chek has opened the company’s first location focused exclusively on kids, according to retail-insider.com.

PVH Corp., parent of Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Heritage Brands, reported earnings for the first quarter ended May 6 of $179.4 million, or $2.29 per share, up from $70.4 million, or $0.89 per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Canada Goose announced the company’s expansion plans for Greater China, including establishing a regional head office in Shanghai and a partnership with Alibaba, as well as appointing Scott Cameron as president, Greater China.

Sears Holdings said the company will be closing more than 70 additional stores in 2018 as its sales continue to erode.

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is aiming to collectively improve 2,802 miles of trail–the distance across the U.S.–in a single day in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System.

Chums announced the finalists of its Ultimate River Guide competition. The competition is being held in celebration of the eyewear retainer and outdoor accessory brand’s 35th anniversary.

Adidas and Skechers have reached settlement over a lawsuit that charged Skechers infringed on Adidas’ three-stripe logo and Stan Smith shoe designs, according to Law360.

Topgolf Entertainment Group (TEG) has hired former TaylorMade Golf Co. CEO Ben Sharpe to expand the company’s global footprint of driving ranges that license the company’s Toptracer Range technology.

Dr. Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Schools-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference the past seven years, has been selected as the next executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, effective August 1.

A total of 77 percent of Americans will celebrate Father’s Day and spend an average of $133 per person, according to a study released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

The University of Nevada and Adidas announced a multi-year partnership in which Adidas will be the official athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand of the Wolf Pack. Nevada has been with Nike.

Paddlesports Retailer, the official North American trade show of the paddlesports industry, has selected the Renaissance Oklahoma City Convention Center Hotel as the venue for the 2018 Paddlesports Industry Dinner, featuring the first Paddling Magazine Product & Industry Awards.

The Russian Football Union is extending the group’s cooperation agreement with Adidas until 2022.

Michigan on May 30 became the first state in the Midwest to create an Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council.

Gander Outdoors is opening a store in Mooresville, NC. The 67,000-square-foot location is one of the retailer’s six planned facilities in North Carolina.

Inov-8 appointed top crossfitter Fran Calvert to the company’s marketing team to head up functional fitness and training.

The International Game Fish Association on May 30 announced the 2018 Tommy Gifford Award winners in recognition of their significant contributions to recreational angling as captains, guides or crew.

Reed Exhibitions, the parent of the Agenda trade show, hired former head of marketing at Men’s Journal, Rob Weinstein as VP of marketing. He will head ReedPOP West’s marketing team, currently overseeing five events, which include Agenda Shows, Agenda Festival and ComplexCon.

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and Bauer Hockey on May 30 announced an exclusive partnership in which the top brand in hockey will supply equipment to the junior league.

Asics America Corp. is teaming up with Live Nation as an exclusive footwear sponsor across select venues and festivals in the U.S. and Canada.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the newly appointed members of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council.

Pensole Footwear Design Academy, in collaboration with Foot Locker Inc., opened registration for the company’s 2018 edition of “Fueling the Future of Footwear.”

According to Golf Datatech, golf rounds played on a national level were down 13.5 percent April 2018 compared to April 2017.

NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement, “China’s trade practices raise serious concerns, but job-killing tariffs aren’t the answer. As the U.S. and China prepare for another round of negotiations, we hope the administration has clearly defined objectives and concrete solutions to resolve this trade dispute without tariffs.”

RYU (Respect Your Universe) Apparel Inc., the maker of urban athletic apparel, reported revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was Canadian $907,915, 94 percent higher than year-ago levels.

PHIT America is introducing the company’s first National Fundraising & Awareness Campaign, enabling any company, organization, association and employee in the sports and fitness industry to help educate and enlighten the U.S. about the negative side effects of physical inactivity.

Bushnell, the maker of high-performance optics, announced the signing of Tiffany Piper to Bushnell’s ambassador/shooting Team.

Academy Sports + Outdoors has opened a store in Matthews, NC. The retailer now has 12 stores throughout North Carolina and four in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

T-H Marine Supplies Inc. of Huntsville, AL, announced the acquisition of the assets of Blue Water LED Enterprises LLC of Lawrenceburg, KY.

The National Trails Fund gives trail clubs and land managers the necessary funding to complete critical trail projects across the country, thanks to the support of the fund’s charter sponsor, L.L.Bean.

From June to August, United By Blue will be co-hosting 21 cleanups across the country with retail partners and volunteers. By the end of 2018, the sustainable outdoor apparel and lifestyle brand will have performed a waterway cleanup in all 50 states.

The Buckle Inc. announced that net income for the fiscal quarter ended May 5 was $18.3 million, or 38 cents a share, up from $16.3 million, or 34 cents, a year ago.

Fox Racing has appointed NorthernMark Agency, based in Pleasanton, CA, as sales agency for the company’s Northern California/Northern Nevada region.

Steel Sports has selected Champion as the official apparel partner for the 35,000 youth players, families and coaches who participate in the company’s baseball programs.

Photo courtesy Eddie Bauer