The outlook for U.S. apparel and footwear manufacturers has been changed to positive from stable, Moody’s Investors said in a new report. After two challenging years, earnings growth is accelerating beyond the rating agency’s previous expectations and is expected to remain robust over the next 12 to 18 months. The agency cited the progress of Nike Inc., PVH Corp. and VF Corp.
Canada Goose Holdings Inc. on Thursday afternoon announced that it has acquired Baffin Inc., a Canadian designer and manufacturer of performance outdoor and industrial footwear, for C$32.5 million (US$24.8 million).
Cherokee Global Brands appointed Evan Hengel to the company’s board of directors.
The Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of clean water and healthy beaches, launched its nationwide United States and Oceans of America (USOA) campaign to rally Americans to join the bipartisan fight to protect our oceans and coasts for the future.
L.L.Bean announced its first-ever entrée into the Canadian wholesale and brick-and-mortar retail market this fall with an exclusive agreement with Jaytex Group to distribute a broad assortment of L.L.Bean products.
Oros, a digitally native performance apparel brand based in Cincinnati, OH, has secured a $5 million financing round.
This year, with the collective goal in mind to leave our wild places better, the Granite Gear Grounds Keepers removed 3,400 pounds of trash from long trails, section hikes and parks around the country.
Emerald Expositions Events Inc., which owns and operates the Outdoor Retailer shows, on Thursday announced that, with the agreement of the company’s board of directors, David Loechner has resigned his position as president and CEO and as a member of the board, effective as of the close of business on November 8.
Duluth Holdings Inc. (dba, Duluth Trading Company), a lifestyle brand of men’s and women’s casual wear, workwear and accessories, on Thursday announced the grand opening of its 44th store in Oklahoma City, OK.
Vibram on Thursday announced that the Vibram Sole Factor Mobile Lab will be resoling shoes on the tradeshow floor during the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Denver, CO, November 8-11.
Escalade Inc. reported earnings rose 16.1 percent on higher gross margins and robust e-commerce growth.
The inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference, run by the TIA (Tennis Industry Association), will be held from January 23 to 25 in Orlando, FL.
Oboz Footwear announced that Brian Krezel and Bob Downs have joined its design team.
Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. on Wednesday reported net sales for the third quarter ended September 29 of $114.9 million and diluted earnings of 52 cents per share, falling short of Wall Street expectations by $14.9 million and 40 cents, respectively.
Fox Factory Holding Corp. reported earnings rose 50.9 percent in the third quarter as sales vaulted 38.0 percent.
A team of five that services multiple retail channels in the outdoor industry, Apex Outdoor Sales, is primed to fuel growth for Sherpa Adventure Gear in the South Central United States.
This fall, Maine’s Good To-Go completed a 900 square foot addition to the new building the company built two years ago, while adding another two members to the office and three to production.
Dometic is excited to announce the winner of the trail clean-up contest the company has been running on social media in partnership with Tread Lightly.
IIC-Intersport International Corporation GmbH (IIC) said Steve Evers, the current vice chairman of the IIC Board, was nominated as the new CEO. He will start in his new position early 2019. Victor V. Duran stepped down from his position as IIC CEO by mutual agreement with immediate effect.
The Skechers Foundation broke new fundraising records for children with special needs and education at Sunday’s 10th annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, surpassing $2 million in contributions and totaling over $11 million since the Walk’s launch.
Brunswick Corporation (BC) announced that Jason Worthy, a fitness industry veteran with more than 20 years of fitness industry experience, most recently as vice president and general manager of fitness solutions for Life Fitness, has been named president of Brunswick’s Fitness division.
Nike has extended the company’s deal with Tottenham Hotspur until 2033.
The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) on Tuesday announced two new members to the association’s board of directors: Wesley (Wes) Kryger (president, Greek Peak and Toggenburg mountains) and J.R. Murray (general manager, Arizona Snowbowl).
Katadyn Group on Tuesday announced the appointment of Mike Jue as new general manager at Spectra Watermakers.
Brooks Running is considering shifting the company’s manufacturing operations from China to Vietnam to avoid trade war tariffs, Brooks’ CEO Jim Weber said in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
New Balance Athletics Inc. announced that president and chief executive officer Rob DeMartini will step down effective December 31, 2018, and New Balance veteran Joe Preston will assume the role.
Mountain Khakis has announced that the company’s Posse Program is back for the Fall 2018 selling season.
Global Brands Group Holding Limited, based in Hong Kong, announced the company has completed the sale of select North American assets to Differential Brands Group and appointed Rick Darling as CEO and executive director of Global Brands.
Sports Inc. and TeamWorks Inc., the team fundraising application, have partnered to help schools and leagues raise money.
Toad & Co. is launching a cross-country road trip with a ‘63 Shasta trailer to drive awareness around its “Save The Planet. Wear Sustainable” message. The tour is headed to the OR Show in Denver.
According to Golf Datatech, golf rounds played in the U.S. were down 7.2 percent in September year-over-year on a national level.
Ogio International Inc., which is owned by Callaway Golf, announced a global brand refresh featuring a new line of products, refined messaging, new website and modernized logo.
Goldwin Inc. will open the company’s first own retail flagship store, Goldwin Marunouchi, on Thursday, November 8, in Tokyo.
Hillsound Equipment, the leading producer of winter traction equipment and gaiters for outdoor enthusiasts, has revamped the company’s website. This change now makes it easier for consumers to purchase product online just in time for fall and winter adventures.
The Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC (OGB), a 30-plus brand collective based in Western North Carolina, are part of a brand new $0.9 million funding initiative from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Power Program.
The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), an educational nonprofit dedicated to supporting and furthering the profession of American mountain guiding, has named veteran guide and industry leader Angela Hawse as president of its board of directors.
Club Champion, the nation’s leading custom club fitting and building company, has announced a multi-year agreement with three-time Major Champion Jordan Spieth.
In the wake of last week’s felony convictions for pay-to-play college basketball schemes, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics pressed the NCAA to establish more demanding standards for oversight, including public transparency of shoe and apparel income, and professional preparation and certification of college basketball coaches.
Consumers say they will spend an average of $1,007.24 during the holiday season this year, up 4.1 percent from the $967.13 they said they would spend last year, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
Puma announced that Spanish midfielder David Silva, known as “El Mago” (the magician), has signed with Puma Football. He had been with Adidas.
The University of Louisville said Adidas has pledged $1 million to support a new program focused on ethical leadership.
L.L.Bean announced the opening of the company’s newest retail store at Oakbrook Center on November 9 in Oak Brook, IL.
Puma has hired Havas Media as the company’s new global media agency for buying and planning following a review according to a report in Advertising Age.
The Foot Locker Foundation joined together members of the athletic industry for the foundation’s 18th annual “On Our Feet” fundraising gala. The event, which took place on Tuesday, October 23 at New York City’s Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, benefits educational and other youth initiatives supported by the Foot Locker Foundation.
Asics America Corp. debuted the next chapter of the I Move Me campaign in North America, featuring two-time Grammy-nominated producer/DJ Steve Aoki and a new cast of storytellers from the worlds of music, sport, art and food.
Oofos, the maker of recovery footwear, announced that for every pair of shoes sold on the company’s website—365 days a year—the Braintree, MA-based company donates 3 percent directly to breast cancer research.
Igloo Products Corp., the leader in coolers, announced the opening of the company’s first West Coast office, based in Costa Mesa, that is the hub of their creative department, marketing and collaborations.
Xponential Fitness, owned by Anthony Geisler and Snapdragon Capital, announced the addition of Pure Barre to the company’s family of brands.
On October 19, Nike announced that the first place winner of its Circular Innovation Challenge was San Francisco yoga product startup Yogo for their entry presenting a collection of yoga props using Nike Grind Materials.
The Rockport Group announced that the company has completed the acquisition of the Reef brand from VF Corporation. Rockport is a portfolio company of certain affiliates of Charlesbank Capital Partners LLC, a middle-market private equity firm.
St. Louis-based swimwear brand Summersalt has secured $6.1 million in Series A funding, led by Founders Fund, with plans to launch a new category targeted towards modern travelers.
Kathmandu, the iconic New Zealand travel and adventure brand, will launch in North America with a collection debut at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.
In 2008, Oboz Footwear partnered with Trees for the Future to create the One More Tree program which plants a tree for every pair of Oboz Footwear sold. As of today, the program has planted 2 million trees.
Photo courtesy VF Corp.
