
Eastern Mountain Sports Returns To Vermont With New Flagship Store
Eastern Mountain Sports has returned to Vermont with the opening of its 13,518-square-foot two-level flagship store in Burlington on April 21.
Blain’s Farm & Fleet Opens New Store In Rhinelander, WI
Blain’s Farm & Fleet announced it is opening its 45th store in Rhinelander, WI on May 11.

JD Sports To Acquire France’s Groupe Courir; Moves to Simplify JD Brand Subsidiaries
JD Sports Fashion Plc intends to take its first acquisitive steps in fulfilling the growth ambitions, as set out at the Capital Markets Event in February this year. Additionally, the Group is reviewing options to simplify the shareholdings in a number of its subsidiary businesses across Europe

Under Armour Swings To Fiscal Q4 Profit On Footwear Growth; Inventory Up 44 Percent
Under Armour reported that revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter was up 7.5 percent to $1.40 billion (+10 percent currency-neutral) in the period ended March 31. Net income was $170.5 million for the quarter, compared to a loss of $59.6 million in the prior-year quarter.

Golf Rounds Played Slide In March
Rounds of golf played in March 2023 were down about 2.3 percent in March on a national level year-over-year and are now down 0.2 percent for the year, according to Golf Datatech.
Rab, Lowe Alpine Names U.S. Marketing Manager
Rab and Lowe Alpine promoted outdoor industry veteran Annalee Loomer to U.S. Marketing Manager, a new role for the company’s domestic marketing department.

NRF Expects 2023 Imports To Remain Below 2022 Most Of Year
Import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is climbing back from a nearly three-year low in February but is expected to remain well below last year’s levels heading into this fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Stio Raises $20 Million In Growth Capital
Stio reported it raised $20 million in capital to support its Mountain Studio retail locations, future product category development and a pivot towards a more diversified omnichannel approach.
Outdoor Cap Hires New Rep For Hawaii And Nevada
Outdoor Cap hired Quinn Bui as its new rep for Hawaii and Nevada. With ten years of experience in the promotional product industry.
Nobull’s Chief Marketing Officer Resigns
Nobull reported that its chief marketing officer, Todd Meleney, resigned.
Walmart, Inc. Appoints New EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer
Walmart, Inc. promoted Latriece Watkins to EVP, chief merchandising officer, effective immediately. She replaces Charles Redfield, who will step down on May 1 to assume an advisory role supporting Walmart’s U.S. business.
Foot Locker Names Nike Exec To Lead WSS Banner
Foot Locker, Inc. hired Blanca Gonzalez as senior vice president and general manager of its WSS banner, effective May 15. Gonzales joins Foot Locker from Nike, Inc., where she was the vice president of North America product merchandising.
USTA Names Managing Director, Strategy And Innovation
The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) hired Liz McSorley in the newly-created position of managing director, Strategy and Innovation. McSorley, will work from Orlando, FL, reporting to Craig Morris, USTA’s chief executive, Community Tennis.
Moncler SPA’s Q1 Sales Expand 23 Percent
Moncler S.p.A. reported sales grew 23 percent on a reported and currency-neutral basis in the first quarter with healthy double-digit growth in the DTC channel at the Moncler and Stone Island brands.
Moncler Names Stone Island CEO
Moncler Group hired Robert Triefus as CEO of the Stone Island brand, effective June 1. Moncler acquired the Italian high-end streetwear and fashion brand in 2020.