Kevin Plank Discusses Under Armour’s Vision Quest
Speaking last week at the Advertising Week conference in New York City, Under Armour’s Kevin Plank spoke about the importance of brand values in driving sales and earning advocacy. The brand’s recent sales slump, according to the CEO, is partly because management neglected the company’s core purpose after years of growth.
Under Armour Signs Joel Embiid
Under Armour Inc. has added the Philadelphia 76ers’ star center Joel Embiid as an ambassador. The five-year deal makes Embiid the NBA’s highest-paid center on a shoe deal and he will have a signture shoe.
NBA’s Top Draft Pick Ensnared In College Basketball Scandal
On Wednesday at the college basketball corruption trial taking place in Manhattan’s federal court, Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola, testified that the families of five recruits, Brian Bowen, Billy Preston, Silvio De Sousa, Dennis Smith and Deandre Ayton, received payments as a recruiting incentive.
Retail Imports Expected To Remain Strong
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to remain at near-record levels in October despite a new round of tariffs that took effect in September, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Zumiez’s Comps Expand 1.2 Percent in September
Zumiez said same-store sales increased 1.2 percent for the five-week period ended October 6.
Tough Mudder Announces Alanic As Official Apparel Partner
Tough Mudder announced a new multi-year partnership with Alanic as the official apparel partner.
Nike’s Kaepernick Campaign Garners Mixed Reaction In Cowen Survey
Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick received mixed reaction based on factors such as how much consumers earn annually and how much they spend with the brand, according to a survey published Wednesday by the investment firm Cowen.
DSW Reinvents Business Model With Camuto Group Acquisition
On a conference call with analysts, DSW Inc. officials said the Camuto Group deal extends the company’s growth opportunities outside the moderate channel and footwear category, but will particularly support its effort to sell exclusive brands inside DSW locations, at third-party stores and direct to consumers. Said DSW’s CEO Roger Rawlins, “As the retail landscape evolves strong brands with the ability to build the direct-to-consumer model have captured increasing market share.”
Dick’s Sporting Goods Expands Use Of First Insight Technology
Dick’s Sporting Goods has expanded the company’s partnership with First Insight, which offers technology aimed at helping retailers and brands make better-informed product development and pricing decisions.
Cabela’s Credit Card Staffers Face Lay Offs
Capital One Financial, which bought the credit card operation of the former Cabela’s, said 153 employees in Lincoln, NE, will be laid off. In June, about 450 people had been working in Lincoln, NE, servicing the customers of the Cabela’s CLUB card, according to the Omaha-World Herald.
RYU Apparel Prevails In Trademark Dispute With Lululemon
RYU Apparel said the company prevailed in a trademark-infringement lawsuit against Lululemon.
New Balance Signs Sprinter Gabby Thomas
New Balance has signed Harvard sprinter Gabby Thomas to a multi-year endorsement contract. Thomas won the 200m 2018 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships and took 2nd in the DI NCAA Outdoor National Track and Field Championships.
PGA Tour Superstore Opens Store In Chicago
PGA Tour Superstore announced the opening of the company’s third store in the Chicago region, serving the Vernon Hills and northern Chicago communities.
Express Expands NBA Partnership
Express Inc. expanded the company’s partnership with the NBA. The chain also unveiled the company’s second “NBA Game Changers” campaign and Performance Collection featuring NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers), Mo Bamba (Orlando Magic) and Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks).
Report: Sears Hires Bankruptcy Professionals
Sears Holdings Corporation, the parent of Sears and Kmart, is considering filing for bankruptcy protection as soon as this week as it faces a large debt repayment on Monday, reports The Wall Street Journal. Advisory firm M-III Partners LLC has been hired to prepare the bankruptcy filing, according to the report.
