
New Backcountry Owner Taps Schottenstein Affiliates for $112M Financing Support
Schottenstein affiliates Second Avenue Capital Partners, SB360 Capital Partners and Ares Commercial Finance have closed on a $112 million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan for Backcountry.

Delta Apparel Retains Schottenstein Affiliate for GOB and Liquidations Sales
The liquidation sale will reportedly include the company’s remaining inventory across all categories, including lifestyle apparel, activewear, and accessories.

Chubbies Launches Licensed NFL Apparel with George Kittle as Creative Director
Chubbies will introduce select officially licensed NFL team apparel this fall, with plans to expand the line in Spring 2025 to include all NFL teams. The company appointed George Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers’ NFL tight end, as the brand’s creative director of Football.

Report: Strong Mall Traffic in August Reflects Strong BTS Season
Research and data analytics firm Placer.ai said that malls ended summer with a bang. College students and families with children were overrepresented among end-of-summer mall hoppers – though not for all mall types, the company suggested.

EXEC: Gartner Expects 32 Percent of Consumers to Shop Early for Holidays
Gartner suggests that 32 percent of consumers will begin holiday shopping between July and October and only 14 percent of U.S. consumers plan to spend more year-over-year, with 21 percent of consumers reducing their holiday spending.

The Lycra Company Publishes Latest Sustainability Update, Progress Versus 2030 Goals
The sustainability goals outlined in the company’s third annual report are structured around three pillars and align with five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

University of Arkansas Opens New Team Store from Dyehard by Follett
The new team store is located on Dickson Street in downtown Fayetteville. Dyehard also operates a Hog Heaven team store in the north endzone of Razorback Stadium and serves as the official team merchandise retailer for all Razorback Athletics events on campus.

Coolcore Appoints CEO and Majority Owner
Eric Schenker has joined the company as chief executive officer and majority owner. Previously, he was the CEO of Craft Sportswear NA, a performance apparel manufacturer

The Athlete’s Foot Opens HQ, Flagship and Community Center in Atlanta
TNF held a grand opening this week of its new corporate headquarters, flagship store and community center in Midtown Atlanta, and partnered with Black-owned businesses in its development.

Flylow to Launch Leftover Land Resale Platform
Next month, Flyflow will launch its Flylow Leftover Land, a consignment resale platform to trade in any used gear for a credit on a new Flyflow kit.

G/Fore Launches Ready-to-Wear Collection
Boasting tailoring with sophisticated design and modern sensibility, the brand’s latest apparel collection for men and women expands on its array of apparel from the golf course to everyday.

Report: Companies are Lowering the Talent Bar and Modifying Job Requirements
Companies are challenged to find both best-fit outside candidates and identify and cultivate existing talent,” Betterworks observed in the survey summary report.

Go Sport Expanding into Baghdad, Iraq
The international sports retailer’s expansion into Iraq is part of Go Sport’s broader growth strategy, following the brand’s acquisition by Al Mana in April 2023.

Report: August Retail Sales Growth Slowed Sequentially from July Trend
August’s core retail sales, as defined by the NRF, are based on census data, excluding auto dealers, gas stations and restaurants, were reportedly up 0.3 percent m/m seasonally-adjusted and up 3.3 percent y/y unadjusted.

EXEC: Bain Sees E-Commerce Driving 90 Percent of Holiday Growth (updated)
Bain said a potential rate cut this week could spur consumer confidence and sales may also benefit as some consumers feel wealthier from rising disposable income and strong stock market gains this year. Deloitte and Bain both see e-commerce up in the high single digits for Holiday 2024 versus Holiday 2023.