S&P Global Rating reduced its outlook on S&S Activewear to negative as the imprintable apparel distributor has underperformed the rating agency’s EBITDA and free operating cash flow (FOCF) expectations since the acquisition of Alphabroder in the second half of 2024, due largely to continued softness in the promotional products industry.
Author: SGB Media
Life Time’s Debt Upgraded on Improved Performance
S&P Global Ratings upgraded Life Time Inc., citing the fitness club operator’s strong performance with healthy underlying demand and membership trends driving EBITDA growth and leverage reduction
Smith & Wesson Sales Drop 12 Percent In Fiscal Q4
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. earnings on an adjusted basis fell 59.3 percent in the fiscal fourth quarter ended April 30 as sales declined 11.6 percent. Mark Smith, president and chief executive officer, said the “fourth quarter proved more difficult than we anticipated largely due to macro-economic and industry trends.”
Ski-Doo Parent Opens Paris Flagship Store for Can-Am Brand
BRP Inc., parent of the Ski-Doo and Lynx power sports brands, is opening of its first European flagship store in Paris on Boulevard du Montparnasse in partnership with new dealer, Canadian Motors. The store will showcase the company’s Can-Am brand.
Brownells Mourns the Passing of Frank Brownell, III
Long-time family patriarch Frank Brownell, who held the positions of president, CEO, and chairman of the Board at Brownells. Brownell passed away in Grinnell, IA, on June 18, 2025, after a lengthy illness. He was six days shy of his 86th birthday.
Fleet Feet Franchise Opens Third Store in Central Texas
The store located in Leander marks the third store in Central Texas operated by franchise owner Mark King. He also operates stores in Georgetown and Round Rock, TX, respectively.
EXEC: Rip Curl Inches Up, Oboz Sinks for Parent KMD’s YTD Period
Rip Curl global direct-to-consumer sales continued to grow year-over-year (YOY) through the second half of fiscal 2025 to-date, with strong comparable sales results in North American flagship stores.
Branded Bills Expands Sales Team; Opens New Headquarters
The company added three account reps in the Northeast (Jeff Dibona), Midwest (Dan Giedemeyer) and West Coast (Griffin Stoddard). The new Tempe, AZ headquarters consolidates warehouse, production, sales, and creative operations.
Switchback Spring Posts Healthy Debut; Heads to New Orleans in 2026
Switchback Spring, the nascent outdoor show’s first standalone event, was held this week in Nashville, TN, from June 16 to 18, drawing 194 brands, 290 retailers, and 1,286 attendees. For 2026, show organizers announced that the event will be held in New Orleans.
Hibbett Launches Back-to-School App Tailored to Kids
Owned by parent company JD Sports, the retailer announced the launch of a new kids e-commerce site, kidshibbett.com, and an app dedicated to selling kids’ product carried by the retailer.
Denver’s Freebird Closing 14+ Stores; Shutters Headquarters
Freebird, a boot retailer based in Denver, has exited its corporate headquarters in Cherry Creek, laid off staff and is closing at least 14 of its 20 stores as it seeks a buyer. Freebird would close another four stores on Monday, June 23, failing to find a buyer.
SportsVisio Secures $3.5M in Additional Funding via Multiple Sources
The developer of sports analytics software has raised its total capital to $9 million. The round includes continued support from existing investors Sapphire Sport, Hyperplane, and Sovereign’s Capital, as well as new additions from Mighty Capital, Sony Innovation Fund, Alumni Ventures, Waterstone Impact Fund, and strategic angels.
Brixton Names New President
Colleen O’Neill, formerly at Hybrid Apparel, was appointed president. She succeeds CEO Seth Ellison, who is retiring. Altamont Capital Partners owns Brixton, a lifestyle brand with roots in surf and skate, based in Oceanside, CA.
Report: Lululemon Laying Off 150 Support Center Jobs
The job cuts come as Lululemon on June 6 reported first-quarter earnings that topped guidance but trimmed its earnings guidance for the year as proposed tariffs threaten the company’s supply chain.
Survey: Golf Getaways and Digital Engagement Key Focus for the Average U.S. Golfer
Over half of U.S. players (approximately 23 million in total) take at least one golf trip per year, with 31 percent taking two or more trips. With an average length of 3.33 days, these trips are common to either Florida and California or to overseas destinations such as Scotland, Ireland and the Iberian Peninsula.
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