U.S. golf rounds played were down 3.9 percent in July 2021 against a surge in play in the year-ago period due to the pandemic, according to Golf Datatech. For the year-to-date period, rounds played are ahead 16.1 percent.
Category: Apparel
SFIA Endorses Ocean Shipping Reform Act
SFIA announced it supports Congress in its recent proposed legislation to ease U.S. companies’ challenges regarding shipping during the pandemic.

Burlington Stores Sees Q2 Sales Expand 34 Percent Against 2019 Quarter
Burlington Stores Inc. reported profits on an adjusted basis rose 46.2 percent in the second quarter ended July 31 and sales grew 34 percent compared to the second quarter of 2019.

Lululemon Raises Minimum Base Pay For Hourly Staff
Lululemon Athletica Inc. announced a comprehensive overview of the company’s approach to pay and benefits. Effective September 27, 2021, Lululemon will raise the minimum base pay for the majority of its store and Guest Education Centre (GEC) employees in North America. As part of the additional investments, people who are currently employed, and individuals who are hired from this point forward, will receive a new minimum of $15 or $17 per hour depending on their role and the market.

SAXX Receives Strategic Investment From TZP Group
SAXX Underwear Co. Ltd. announced that it has received a strategic investment from TZP Group, a multi-strategy private equity firm, through TZP Capital Partners III, L.P.

Under Armour Founder To Sell Stock
Kevin Plank, founder, executive chairman and brand chief of Under Armour, plans to sell up to 5 million shares of Under Armour stock, according to a regulatory filing.

Fanatics Partners With Texas A&M
Fanatics signed a 10-year partnership with Texas A&M University. The deal was timed to coincide with the launch of Texas A&M’s 12thManShop.com that will tap into Fanatics’ e-commerce and mobile retail capabilities.

GOA ‘Connect’ Show Early Registration, Vaccine Requirement And Expanded Refund Policy
GOA announced that advance registration is open for its annual ‘Connect’ buying show at the Kansas City Convention Center, scheduled for November 8-11, 2021. Attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination, with an expanded refund policy.

Dick’s SG Hikes Outlook As Second Quarter Crushes Analyst Targets
Dick’s Sporting Goods strongly raised its guidance for 2021 after reporting second-quarter earnings that came in well above Wall Street targets. Sales in the quarter increased 20.7 percent compared to the second quarter of 2020 and increased 45.0 percent compared to the second quarter of 2019. The company also announced a special dividend of $5.50 per share, a 21 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.4375 per share and an increase in its planned share repurchases to a minimum of $400 million.

Shoe Carnival’s Earnings Surge In Second Quarter
Shoe Carnival Inc. reported earnings in the second quarter ended July 31 increased four-fold as same-store sales grew 11.4 percent. Results came in well above company guidance.

Anta Sports Posts Mega First Half Gains
Anta Sports Products Ltd. reported revenues grew 55.5 percent in the first half against a year ago and 54.0 percent compared to the same period of 2019.

Moody’s Finds Authentic Brands’ Announced Reebok Purchase Has No Immediate Impact On Ratings
Moody’s Investors Service said that Authentic Brands’ proposed debt-financed acquisition of Reebok has no immediate impact on its credit ratings.

Nordstrom Raises Revenue Forecast As Sales Revive
Nordstrom Inc. raised its guidance for the year after reporting second-quarter results that topped expectations. Core categories of shoes, apparel and accessories experienced the largest improvement in sales trends relative to the first quarter. In addition, sales in active, home and designer categories continued to grow versus 2019.

Urban Outfitters Launches Resale Marketplace
Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) introduced Nuuly Thrift, a resale marketplace. Launching in this Fall, the platform will offer consumers the opportunity to buy or sell women’s, men’s and kids’ apparel and accessories.

Isbjörn Of Sweden Appoints Content Manager
Isbjörn of Sweden announced it has appointed Maria Eklind Enström as content manager as part of its ongoing digital and e-commerce strategy.