November M&A Roundup: Big Outdoor Deals Bookend Busy Month
Two large acquisitions in the outdoor space bookended November—Canada Goose bought Baffin to kick off the month and Callaway bought Jack Wolfskin to close it—while a flurry of M&A activity occurred in the days between.
Fanatics Partners With Esports League
Fanatics announced an official retail and licensing partnership with Overwatch League. The multi-year deal is the first ever esports partnership for Fanatics, and is believed to be the first official merchandising deal between a major retailer and an official esports league
Report: Lululemon Founder Close To Joining Anta’s Bid For Amer Sports
Chip Wilson, Lululemon’s founder, is in talks to join Anta’s investment consortium in its bid for Amer Sports, according to a report from Bloomberg. Wilson, whose net value is reportedly worth $3.5 billion, is exploring taking a 20 percent stake in the consortium.
SFIA Seminar: Industry Playing It Safe
On a webinar last week providing an update on the state of the sporting goods industry, Tom Cove, SFIA’s president and CEO, said that many of the industry’s players appear to be fixated on protecting their market share somewhat at the expense of pursuing growth opportunities. While this reflects an industry recovering from a string of bankruptcies, he lamented that the cautious stance may be holding back the industry’s overall growth.
RILA Encouraged By Path Forward With China On Trade
Retail Industry Leaders Association’s vice president for international trade, Hun Quach, issued a statement following President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 meeting in Argentina.
Golf Rounds Played Plunge In October
According to Golf Datatech, golf rounds played in the U.S. tumbled 10.3 percent in October.
Nike Earns Ad Age’s Marketer of the Year
Nike earned Ad Age’s 2018 Marketer of the Year for its Just Do It campaign starring Colin Kaepernick and how it sparked conversations.
FDRA Applauds Trade War Ceasefire
The Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) applauded the move by the Trump administration to suspend new trade tariffs.
AAFA Encouraged By News Of Trade War Truce
American Apparel & Footwear Association President and CEO Rick Helfenbein said that AAFA is encouraged by the news of a 90-day cease fire in the U.S.-China trade war – following the meeting between President Trump and President Xi on the sidelines of the G20 in Argentina on Saturday.
RYU Announces “Respect” Collaboration Featuring Designs From Local Artists
RYU Apparel Inc., creators of urban athletic apparel, celebrates its flagship opening in Williamsburg with a capsule collection highlighting four local New York artists.
NRF Welcomes Delay Of January 2019 Tariff Increase
The National Retail Federation praised the Trump administration’s decision to hold off on tariff increases that were set to take effect January 2019.
Vans Inks Global Partnership With Michael February
Vans announced South African pro surfer Michael February’s global Vans footwear and apparel partnership.
Aisle Talk Week of November 26
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including analysis from The Running Event (TRE), which shows that the industry is flying high once again after a couple of years of declining sales in the run specialty channel.
Callaway Golf Company To Acquire Jack Wolfskin
Callaway Golf Company announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Jack Wolfskin for €418 million, or approximately $476 million. The acquisition furthers Callaway’s push into the active lifestyle category after its successful 2017 acquisitions of TravisMathew and Ogio.
Sears Secures Court Approval For Additional $350 Million Loan
Sears won court approval for $350 million in bankruptcy financing that will keep the retailer operating through the holiday selling season as it attempts to reorganize.
