Fanatics And WWE Expand Partnership To Include All Global Event Merchandise
Fanatics reported that it expanded its long-term sports and entertainment agreement with the WWE to include operating its global event merchandise business. The deal goes into effect May 1 before WWE’s live event, Backlash.
Rally House Goes Bigger In Wichita, Adds New Stores In Ames, IA And Pittsburgh, PA
National sports and merchandise retailer Rally House continues its fast-paced expansion in the U.S., opening a larger store in Wichita, KS, new stores in Ames, IA and expanding its presence in Pittsburgh, PA.
Academy Sports + Outdoors To Open New Store In Lafayette, IN
Academy Sports + Outdoors reported it will open its first store in Lafayette, LA, on April 21. The approximately 60,000-square-foot store marks the first retail store the company will open in 2023.
Nike Becomes Presenting Sponsor Of MLB’s RBI Program
Nike, Inc. announced a partnership with Major League Baseball as the presenting sponsor of the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program, the MLB’s youth initiative to provide baseball and softball playing opportunities for kids living in areas that are underserved.
SFIA: Sporting Goods Industry’s 2022 Growth Boosted By Inflation
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) released its 2023 State of the Industry Report, showing 4.3 percent revenue growth in U.S. wholesale sales of athletic footwear, apparel, sports and fitness equipment, and licensed products in 2022.
REI To Close Portland Pearl District Store, Blames Theft
REI’s Portland, OR flagship store, located in the Pearl District, will be permanently closed due to crime and concerns for employee and customer safety concerns.
PXG Opens Location In Cincinnati
PXG, the golf equipment and apparel manufacturer, opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Ohio.
Study: Global Supply Chain Volatility Falls To Lowest Level Since July 2020
The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index concluded that global supply chains operate more efficiently today, signaling the lowest stress level since July 2020.
Reports: Retail Ecommerce Ventures Exploring Bankruptcy
Retail Ecommerce Ventures, LLC (REV), a capital marketing company founded in 2019 and that acquired the intellectual property of Modell’s Sporting Goods, Pier 1 Imports, RadioShack, and other retail banners, hired Kirkland and Ellis to explore restructuring options, including a bankruptcy.
Nordstrom Adds Former Nike COO To Board
Nordstrom, Inc. appointed Eric Sprunk, former chief operating officer of Nike, Inc., to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Mammut North America Hires Three Key VP Roles, Promotes Three Others
Mammut hired three new VP-level roles to its North American team structure to drive growth across sales, operations, marketing, and partnerships. Recent promotions include Leah Simkoff to VP of finance, Ian Armstrong to national sales director and Collin Jenkins to commercial director.
Nordstrom Appoints Chief Technology And Information Officer
Nordstrom, Inc. hired Jason Morris as chief technology and information officer, effective May 1, overseeing technology functions, including engineering, data science and analytics.
Consumer Confidence Index Improves Modestly
Consumer sentiment in the U.S. improved modestly in early April, as reported in the University of Michigan’s Consumer Confidence Index, rising to 63.5 (preliminary) from 62 index points in March—better than the market expectation of 62.
Tilly’s, Inc. Appoints New Chief Merchant
Tilly’s, Inc. hired Laura Janney as EFP and chief merchandising officer, effective May 8, overseeing the retailer’s buying, sourcing and product development and coordinating consistency in its in-store and online consumer merchandising experience.
Walmart’s Chief Merchandising Officer To Depart
Walmart’s Chief Merchandising Officer, Charles Redfield, is stepping down next month. The announcement came from Walmart’s U.S. CEO, John Furner, in a memo to employees dated April 14.
