So far so good for Finish Line under its new owner, JD Sports. JD Sports said Finish Line’s comps were up 7 percent in 2018 with sales trends improving as the year progressed. The first JD stores to land in the U.S. are also seeing encouraging initial results.
Category: Apparel
PeopleForBikes + Bicycle Product Suppliers Association To Merge
In a joint letter, BPSA (Bicycle Product Suppliers Association) and PFBC (PeopleForBikes Coalition) said both of the organization’s “almost unanimously” approved a merger.
NFL Flag-In-Schools Program Enters Fifth Year
The NFL, USA Football, GENYOUth and Fuel Up to Play 60 announced the fifth year of the NFL Flag-In-Schools Program, which aims to increase physical activity among youth by providing Flag football resources to underserved school communities.
Will Tiger Wood’s Victory Lift The Golf Industry?
Tiger Woods’ first major win in 11 Years and first Masters win since 2005 earned quick attention to his best-known sponsor, Nike, but some see it possibly helping to boost the overall golf industry.
Tillys Partners With High School ESports League
High School ESports League (HSEL), the longest-running high school eSports organization, announced a partnership with Tillys Inc. to offer students care packages and the chance to compete for prizes through an augmented reality (AR) experience and mobile game at Tillys’ stores.
BSN Sports Acquires Rochester’s Valenti Sport
BSN Sports, the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets and a division of Varsity Brands, announced that it has acquired Rochester-NY based Valenti Sports.
Imprinted Sportswear Rebrands To Impressions Expo
The Imprinted Sportswear Shows (ISS), owned and operated by Emerald Expositions, will be rebranding in 2020 with a new name: Impressions Expo.
Nike Close To Extending Paris Saint-Germain Deal
Nike is close to extending its kit supplier partnership with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
JD Sports Sees Sales Vault 49.2 Percent In 2018
JD Sports Fashion Plc, the U.K.-based athletic footwear giant that acquired Finish Line last year, reported profits before taxes rose 15.5 percent in its year ended February 1 on a 49.2 parent revenue gain.
Academy’s Struggles Continued In 2018
In an update, Moody’s Investors Service confirmed the debt ratings and outlook of Academy, Ltd., the parent of Academy Sports & Outdoors, while also indicating that the retailer’s financial performance continues to erode. The report noted that Academy’s comps declined in the mid-single-digit range and EBITDA declined 12 percent in 2018.
Puma To Become Official Partner Of LaLiga
Puma has entered into a long-term agreement to replace Nike as the Official Technical Partner of the Spanish football league, LaLiga. Starting from the 2019/20 season, Puma will produce the official match ball for all games.
Academy’s Debt Repurchase Seen As Distressed Exchange
Moody’s Investors Service said Academy Ltd.’s recent open market repurchase of a portion of its term loan at a significant discount is a “distressed exchange” and presents a “limited default” for lenders.
Asics Launches Program To Support Startups
Asics announces the launch of Asics Accelerator Program, a business partnership acceleration program, for startups. The program seeks ideas from startups for products, services, and contents that would contribute to business opportunities in 2020.
Study Sees Strong Link Between Awards And Labels To Sporting Goods Purchases
A new survey of active consumers across Europe from ISPO finds 75 percent indicating they pay special attention to awards and technical labels such as Gore-Tex, Vibram or bluesign when buying new sporting goods.
Running USA: Traditional Distance Race Participation Sees Some Recovery
The number of runners registering for organized races in the U.S. was down slightly in 2018, continuing a five-year gradual drawback, according to Running USA’s annual U.S. Running Trends report. On the positive side, traditional distances – including the 5K, 10K, and half marathon – all increased year on year, while non-traditional distances and events drove the decline.
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