Placer.ai reported that overall U.S. retail traffic in early 2025 shows modest growth so far this year, boding well for the upcoming back-to-school season. Traditional back-to-school categories, such as sportswear and footwear, are expected to remain strong.
Category: Apparel
Auburn University Moves on from Under Armour; Inks 10-Year Nike Deal
Nike signed a 10-year deal to become the official outfitter of Auburn University’s athletic teams, beginning July 2025. Nike replaces Under Armour, which had supplied Auburn’s athletic teams since 2006.
Lululemon Sues Costco Over Alleged Copycat Yoga Pants
The brand is seeking a court order to prevent Costco from manufacturing, importing, advertising, and selling the alleged LULU counterfeit products. It also wants Costco to pull all ads that promote the products and is asking for compensation for lost profits.
Gaia Appoints CEO
Kiersten Medvedich, company president, has been promoted to CEO. She continues to report to Gaia Founder and Executive Chairman Jirka Rysavy. Medvedich joined Gaia in 2016 as senior director of content.
Big 5 Sporting Goods to Go Private via Acquisition by Specialty Golf Retailer and PE Firm
The retailer has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by a partnership comprised of Worldwide Golf and Capitol Hill Group, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $112.7 million in enterprise value, including the assumption of roughly $71.4 million in credit line borrowings as of June 29, 2025.
EXEC: Citi Survey Finds Adidas’ Brand Perception Catching Up to Nike
Citi Research’s latest quarterly Global Sporting Goods Survey found that Nike out-ranked Adidas in terms of intent to purchase and is the athletic brand consumers perceive as the most innovative in North America. However, Adidas tied Nike for the highest Net Promoter Score (NPS) among athletic brands in June, highlighting the popularity of Adidas’ Terrace franchises
Alo Yoga to Open First Store in Alabama
The Los Angeles, CA-based lifestyle brand specializing in luxury activewear, announced plans to open a stand alone shop in The Summit a one-million-square-foot upscale shopping mall with over 100 stores and restaurants located in Birmingham.
EXEC: Nike, Inc. Forcing Australia’s SurfStitch Into Liquidation
Nike claims SurfStitch owes it $237,760 and is demanding that the company be placed into liquidation. Edwin Narayan and Domenic Calabretta, from Mackay Goodwin, were appointed as administrators earlier this month to sort out the retailer’s finances.
Saucony Opens London Flagship in Covent Garden
The store, spanning 3,695 square feet over two floors, is located at 4 James Street and was designed to serve as a hub for the local running community.
EXEC: Nike Inc. CEO Expects $1 Billion Hit from Tariffs; Sees Turnaround Progressing as Planned
Nike, Inc. continues to face headwinds in its turnaround efforts, including an estimated $1 billion hit from tariffs. However, the company’s first-quarter guidance came in better than expected. Nike officials told analysts that its steps to reengage wholesale partners are paying off, with holiday bookings up. Shares of Nike in mid-day trading Friday, June 27, were up about 17 percent.
EXEC: Sport Obermeyer CEO Kris Kuster Talks Year ‘Round Mountain Opportunities in Ski, Hunt & Fish
Kris Kuster, Sport Obermeyer’s new CEO, spoke with SGB Executive about the opportunities he sees for the company in targeting female hunters and anglers, as well as plans to introduce fashion-forward capsules, including those connected to Obermeyer’s hometown of Aspen, the revamp of its online presence, and the impact of tariffs. Kuster also spoke about the impossibility of replacing Klaus Obermeyer.
Nike, Inc. Beats Wall Street Estimates for Q4 Top- and Bottom-Line Declines
While the company produced a beat on both the top- and bottom-line consensus Wall Street estimates for the period, many analysts appeared more interested in the fiscal 2026 full-year guidance, which was not provided in the initial release of Q4 and full-year figures.
Pacsun Embraces Understated Luxury with Field of Study Collection
As the first of many drops to come, the Field of Study by Pacsun launch expands the brand’s reach with transitional fashion designed to resonate across a broader age range.
Macron Extends Contract with UEFA for Referee Kits
The Italian sportswear label, renewed its contract to supply referees with kits for all major competitions held by the UEFA, European football’s governing body, in a multi-year deal. Before Macron, Adidas had held the referee kit supply rights for seven years.
EXEC: Hibbett Parent JD Sports to Open More JD Stores in Spain
The UK-based owner of the JD, DTLR, Shoe Palace, Finish Line, and Hibbett retail brands in the U.S. has 130 stores in Spain operating under the Sprinter banner.
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