Decathlon SA is working with advisors to explore the sale of a minority stake in its China business, sources told Bloomberg. The report indicated that the French retailer seeks a strategic partner to drive regional expansion.
Author: SGB Media
VF Corp. Sees Continued Americas Weakness In U.S. in Q2 Tied to Vans Declines
The company also said that Kevin Bailey will be stepping down from his role as global brand president, Vans. He will remain on the Executive Leadership Team reporting to the CEO and will transition to lead Reinvent, the company’s business transformation plan. CEO Bracken Darrell will be more involved with Vans until a new brand president is found.
Rally House to Open in Toledo, OH
Rally House opened its first storefront in Toledo in northern Ohio, supporting fans of both Detroit and Cleveland teams.

Minus33 Launches Woolen Sportsman Shirt Timed With Cooler Temps
Minus33 Merino Wool Company reported it is reentering the outerwear market “with an investment-grade take on a timeless traditional piece”—the White Mountain Woolen Sportsman Shirt—modeled after the plaid woolen jacket rural New Englanders have worn for generations.

Dick’s SG Sued Over Calia Logo
Wooter, a maker of sports apparel based in Staten Island, NY, reportedly filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Dick’s Sporting Goods over the infinity symbol used in the logo of women’s private label brand Calia.

Skims Signs 3-Year Deal to be “Official” Underwear partner of the NBA
Skims, co-founded by Kim Kardashian, reportedly signed a three-year deal to be the official underwear partner of the NBA, WNBA and USA Basketball.

REI to Open in Beavercreek, OH
REI reported it will open a retail store in Beavercreek, OH, in spring 2024. The 23,000-square-foot space will operate in the Beavercreek Shopping Center at 2650 N Fairfield Road.

Anytime Fitness Sees Double-Digit Franchise Growth in Q3
Self Esteem Brands, the parent of Anytime Fitness based in Woodbury, MN, reported Anytime Fitness franchise locations saw double-digit increases in same-store sales in the third quarter over the same period in 2022.

Shein Acquires Missguided Brand from Frasers
Frasers, the U.K.-based parent of Sports Direct, reported it plans to sell the intellectual property and trademarks of the Missguided online women’s fashion retailer to Shein.

Garmin Distributor for India Expands Category Representation
Under the new agreement, Amit India will add Garmin fitness, outdoor recreation and consumer automotive products to its existing lineup of Garmin marine products that it began distributing in 2017.
PedalCell to Cease Operations
PedalCell, a manufacturer of weather-proof generators for power bikes, announced it will cease operations on January 1.

Rhone Secures New Investors
Rhone, the men’s activewear and lifestyle brand, formed a new consortium of investors, including Blackstone executive and ex-football star Tim Tebow, to buy out the approximately 29 percent stake in the company owned by private equity firm L Catterton.
BlackStrap Makes Sales Hires
BlackStrap, based in Bend, OR, hired Chris Vaday as senior director of sales and Valerie Axworthy as sales operations manager.

EXEC: Columbia Sportswear Sees Rocky Road Ahead for Wholesale Business
The company is forecasting a low-double-digit percent decline in wholesale net sales in first half 2024. The company added that it expects the wholesale net sales decline will be partially offset by continued growth in the global DTC businesses.

New Balance Appoints Director, Global Apparel Planning
New Balance promoted Stephen Butch to director of global apparel planning, effective immediately. He has worked for New Balance since 1995, starting as a sales associate in the brand’s Boston factory outlet store.