Nike Misses Revenue Estimates on Weak North America; Profits Beat

Nike, Inc. reported profits slipped 1 percent in the fiscal first quarter ended August 31. Sales grew 2 percent on a currency-neutral basis as double-digit gains in China helped offset a 1 percent decline in North America. Earnings came in well above analyst targets but sales were slightly below.

Studies Show Active Lifestyle Brands Resonate with Gen Alpha

In a recent survey conducted by Beano Brain, Nike ranked #4 in the Top 100 “Coolest Brands” among Gen Alpha in the U.K. and #17 in the U.S. Other vendors making the list in the active lifestyle space included Adidas, Puma, Crocs, Jordan, Under Armour, Champion, and The North Face.

Acushnet Holdings Corp. Earns BB Credit Rating On New Debt Offering

S&P Global Rating signed a BB’ issuer credit rating and stable outlook to Titleist’s parent Acushnet Holdings Corp.’s planned offering of $350 million of senior unsecured notes. The rating reflects S&P’s expectation that Acushnet’s sales and profits will remain steady over the next year as post-pandemic golf activity decelerates, albeit at levels above pre-pandemic levels.

Players World of Sports Gets New Owners

Players World of Sports, the retailer of tennis and pickleball products based in Hilton Head, SC, was acquired by Daryl and Kathy Daye of Bluffton, SC, and Jeff and Heather Yakes of Hardeeville, SC.

Amazon Faces Antitrust Lawsuit from FTC, U.S. States

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan coalition of 17 state attorneys general sued Amazon over violations of anti-competitive behavior. The lawsuit alleges the e-commerce giant’s practices are anti-competitive in how it serves shoppers as well as third-party sellers on the site.

NRF Report Finds Crime Cost Retailers $112 Billion in 2022

According to the 2023 National Retail Security Survey* published by the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers have seen a dramatic rise in theft-related financial losses, with shrink accounted for $112.1 billion in losses, up from $93.9 billion in 2021.