Lilly Pulitzer announced a partnership with the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association). The two brands are uniting for a youth empowerment initiative, aimed to inspire confidence and optimism in future generations as part of Lilly’s new “Be the Sunshine” campaign. Lilly Pulitzer will also serve as the WTA’s exclusive fashion uniform provider.
Author: SGB Media

Ross Stores Sees 4 Percent Comp Gain In Q4
Ross Stores Inc. reported earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended February 1, 2020 grew 7 percent to $1.28 on net income of $456 million. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $4.4 billion, with comparable-store sales up 4 percent on top of a 4 percent gain in the prior-year period.

Urban Outfitters’ Q4 Earnings Slump
Urban Outfitters Inc. reported earnings on an adjusted basis fell 45.6 percent in the fourth quarter. Comparable Retail segment net sales increased 4 percent, driven by growth in the digital channel, partially offset by negative retail store sales

REI Closes Corporate Campuses Over Coronavirus Precautions
REI, based in Seattle, is temporarily closing three corporate campuses in Washington state to conduct a deep cleaning process after learning that two headquarter employees may have been exposed to coronavirus. REI’s King County and Alderwood stores are also undergoing a deep cleaning.

NAHBS Postpones Show Due To Coronavirus
The North American Handmade Bicycle Show on Tuesday announced it would postpone its event, scheduled for March in Dallas, TX, due to concerns over the coronavirus and reschedule it for August.

Bill Hicks & Co. Names Moeller Director Of Sales
Bill Hicks & Co. Ltd., a distributor of wholesale sporting goods, on Tuesday announced the addition of Randy Moeller to its executive team in the new role as director of sales.

Nordstrom Posts Q4 Miss, Updates Corporate Structure To Sole CEO
Nordstrom Inc. on Tuesday reported earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended February 1 of $1.23, including a charge of 19 cents, which missed Wall Street’s expectations by 6 cents. The company also announced it will transition from its co-president structure to a sole CEO, with Erik Nordstrom to serve in this role.

Montane Acquired By Edinburgh-Based Inverleith
Montane, the U.K. outdoor clothing and accessories company, said Edinburgh-based specialist consumer brand investor Inverleith LLP has secured a majority stake in the company.

IHRSA Commits To March Show In San Diego
IHRSA said it is “carefully monitoring” developments related to the coronavirus outbreak but plans to hold the IHRSA 2020 fitness show that runs from March 18 to 21 in San Diego. Numerous hand sanitizing stations will be available during the event. IHRSA will also encourage a no-contact policy such as no handshakes, hugs or kisses.

SparBar To Fight Counterfeiters
SparBar Inc., the pioneers of SparBar boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA) and fitness equipment, has engaged four international copyright infringement law firms to aggressively defend the company’s inventions and intellectual property (IP).

Topgolf Teams With Dallas Mavericks
Topgolf Entertainment Group has engaged its hometown NBA franchise, the Dallas Mavericks, on a marketing collaboration. The partnership will include game-day activations, watch parties at Topgolf’s four venues in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and exclusive fan experiences.

Coronavirus Crippling Supply Chains, But For How Long?
The coronavirus, or COVID-19, is wreaking havoc across the global supply chain. SGB Executive’s latest report looks at the outbreak’s economic impact on the active lifestyle marketplace, including how companies, consumers and even trade show operators are reacting.

Decathlon’s Sales Grew 9 Percent in 2019
Decathlon, the French-sporting goods chan, reported sales rose 9 percent in 2019, to over €12.4 billion ($13.78 bn).

Kohl’s Q4 Earnings Top Wall Street Targets
Kohl’s Inc. reported a small decline in earnings in the fourth quarter on flat same-store sales but both EPS and sales exceeded Wall Street’s targets. Michelle Gass, Kohl’s CEO, said, “We are encouraged by the acceleration of traffic and new customer acquisition in our stores and online driven by the unprecedented level of new brands and partnerships we launched during the year.”

OBIT: Baden Sports’ Michael J. Schindler
Baden Sports confirmed the passing of longtime CEO and president, Michael J. Schindler.