SGB Apparel

Vuori Announces International Launch

Southern California-inspired activewear brand Vuori launched in the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Australia, and Canada, marking the company’s global rollout announced late last year.

Macy’s Appoints Two Board Members

Macy’s Inc. announced the appointment of Marie Chandoha, former president and chief executive officer of Charles Schwab Investment Management, and Jill Granoff, managing partner of Eurazeo and chief executive officer of Eurazeo’s Brands division, to its board of directors.

Cocona Labs Names Chief Product Officer

Cocona Labs has hired Wes Burgess as its Chief Product Officer. Burgess steps into the role after working with Cocona Labs for nearly ten years and, most recently, as vice president, sales, engineering and business development.

Lululemon Q4 EPS Beats Guidance

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. reported earnings on an adjusted basis rose 30 percent in the fourth quarter ended January 30 as comparable sales increased 22 percent. Earnings came in above updated guidance provided on January 10.

New Balance Officially Opens Methuen Factory

New Balance, on Monday, officially opened its new athletic footwear factory in Methuen, MA. The 80,000-square-foot facility, which underwent a $20 million renovation, began production in January 2022.

Boardriders’ Debt Ratings Downgraded

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Boardriders, Inc.’s debt ratings due to continued cash outflows in part driven by investments to support its business transformation, weak credit metrics and near-term debt maturities. 

Gildan Inks Green Credit Agreement

Gildan Activewear has amended and restated its $1 billion, 5-year revolving credit facility to incorporate sustainability-linked terms that adjust the borrowing costs based on the company’s performance on ESG goals.

Academy Sports’ Q4 Comps Expand 13 Percent

Academy Sports + Outdoors reported comparable stores jumped 13.1 percent in the fourth quarter and 18.9 percent in the year ended January 29. Adjusted earnings in the quarter grew 40.9 percent, exceeding Wall Street targets. Academy predicted sales in the current year would decline 1.6 percent at the mid-point of its range but be up 38.0 percent versus the pre-pandemic 2019 period.

NPD Tracker: Retail Continues To See Spending On Activities Rises

U.S. consumers have started to spend on in-person experiences again, but the pull-back on general merchandise retail spending that is expected to coincide with it has not yet materialized. Experiential spending reached 91 percent of 2019 levels, as of the end of 2021, but general merchandise retail spending remained elevated at 19 percent above pre-pandemic levels, according to The NPD Group.

Fanatics Partners With WWE

The WWE signed a long-term merchandising deal with Fanatics. The deal includes official WWE NFTs, offered through Fanatics’ Candy Digital division, trading cards, which will operate through Topps, which Fanatics acquired from former Disney CEO Michael Eisner earlier in 2022. It also includes physical and digital licensed merchandise, with Fanatics launching a WWE shop this summer.