PetSmart Goes for the Gold with Team USA Collection for Dogs
The limited-edition stars, striped and sporty collection for soccer, karate and basketball, also features tracksuits, hats and gold medal toys for pets to show “team pride in style.” PetSmart Doggie Day Camps will host a one-day-only Team USA-themed Doggie Day Camp experience on August 8, 2024, to celebrate and support Team USA.
Super Retail Names New Chair to Replace Sally Pitkin
Super Retail Group, which owns Rebel, Supercheap Auto, BCF and Macpac in Australia, appointed Fonterra executive Judith Swales as its new Board chair replacing Sally Pitkin, who will retire from the Board after the company’s October annual general meeting.
EXEC: Academy Sports Talks Push for Better Footwear Allocations
Steve Lawrence, CEO at Academy Sports, elaborated on the retailer’s efforts to improve access to better product from its footwear vendor partners and secure new brands, including Hoka and On.
Tommy Bahama Parent Sees Q1 Sales Decline
Continued choppiness in the market and lack of sustained positive momentum, coupled with the drop in consumer sentiment, led Tommy Bahama parent to take a more conservative outlook for the balance of the year, lowering its fiscal 2024 sales and EPS guidance.
Game-Set-Match to Open Fifth Store
Plans for the new store in Henderson, NV, include a soft opening in Fall 2024, pending store construction timing, with a grand opening in Spring 2025.
Bob’s and EMS to Close Stores, Layoff Employees Amid Financial Struggles
Owned by Los Angeles-based GoDigital Media Group, Bob’s Stores and EMS are closing some stores and will layoff employees beginning June 14 as it company faces liquidity woes.
Minnesota State Partners With Nike/BSN Sports
The deal benefits Maverick’s athletic department with preferred team pricing through BSN Sports on Nike uniforms, apparel, footwear, and Jordan brand and program rebates.
New Era Cap Inks Headwear Deal with Team USA
New Era will supply headwear to U.S. Olympians and Paralympians when they make the teams to compete in this year’s Paris Olympics. Team USA’s agreement with New Era Cap is its first product deal with a headwear-focused brand.
Target Raises Quarterly Dividend
The retailer reaffirmed announced a 1.8 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to shareholders, now set at $1.12 per common share, from the previous quarterly dividend of $1.10.
Patagonia Hires EMEA Marketplace Director
An outdoor veteran with over 20 years of experience in the industry, Stephan Hagenbusch, formerly at Black Diamond Equipment, assumes the role as marketplace director for the EMEA region.
Lotto Invests in Pickleball Team
Lotto announced a strategic partnership with the Brooklyn Aces, becoming the first athletic brand in the ownership group of a professional pickleball team. The Italian sports brand joined celebrity owners Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, Drake, and Michael B. Jordan.
EXEC: Academy Sports CEO Remains Bullish on Sales Recovery
Academy Sports and Outdoors missed Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the second straight quarter on lower-than-expected sales but Steve Lawrence, CEO, told analysts he remains confident growth will improve in coming quarters as the chain benefits from a focus on newness and value while capitalizing on key selling occasions over the year.
BDA Acquires European Sports Merchandise Provider
Woodinville, WA-based branding giant Bensussen Deutsch & Associates completed the acquisition of UK-based sports, events and promotional products provider, The Great Branding Company.
Under Armour Partners With USA Football
As the official and exclusive uniform, apparel and footwear partner of USA Football, including the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, UA will also outfit the first Olympic team for the 2028 Summer Games as flag football and USA Football’s U.S. National Teams make their Olympic debut.
Academy Sports’ Q1 Earnings Miss Wall Street Targets
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported first-quarter earnings on an adjusted basis slid 20.8 percent and came in lower than analyst expectations for the second straight quarter. Same-store sales were down 5.7 percent, and gross margins were off slightly. Steve Lawrence, CEO, said, “Our customers remain under pressure in the current economic environment.”
