The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) announced a new addition to the organization, Rick Salomone, who will be responsible for leading and expanding the SFIA sponsorship program. Salomone previously served as the CEO of Surys, a company rooted in holographic science, aiming to provide authentication solutions and reduce counterfeiting of products.
Category: Apparel
Sears Gets Another Reprieve From Liquidation
Sears has accepted Eddie Lampert’s bid to acquire the company to stave off a liquidation although the bid now requires Sears chairman to deposit $120 million by 4 p.m. Wednesday through his ESL Investments hedge fund.
New Balance Plans Facility In Methuen, MA
New Balance Athletics plans to open to open an advanced manufacturing facility in Methuen, MA.
Huntsman And The Chemours Company Expand Long-Standing Alliance
Huntsman Textile Effects and The Chemours Company FC, LLC have agreed to expand their long-term alliance in the area of durable water repellence (DWR).
USA Cycling Hires Former New Balance CEO Rob DeMartini
The USA Cycling Board of Directors has named Rob DeMartini as president and chief executive officer of USA Cycling. DeMartini joins the organization from New Balance Athletics, Inc. where he spent the last 12 years as president and CEO.
Lacrosse Unlimited Appoints EVP Of Institutional Sales
Lacrosse Unlimited announced that Sean Haggerty has been brought on as executive vice president of institutional sales. Haggerty comes to Lacrosse Unlimited from BEA Partners where he led external strategic sales and marketing initiatives.
Adidas Extends Stock Buyback Program
Adidas announced the start of the second tranche of its current multi-year share buyback program announced in March 2018. The company intends to repurchase own shares worth around €800 million in 2019.

Wells Fargo: Industry Facing Risks Amid China Slowdown
After Apple announced lower-than-expected performance over the holiday season on January 2, Wells Fargo in a note said concerns over slowing growth in China may cause a “negative read-through” for Nike, Adidas, Skechers and other consumer-goods companies with big exposures to China.

Retail Imports Level Off After Rush To Beat Tariffs
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports have slowed down after a months-long rush to beat increased tariffs on goods from China, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
WWE Names Sarah Cummins SVP, Consumer Products
WWE announced the appointment of Sarah Cummins as senior vice president, consumer products. Prior to joining WWE, Cummins was head of business development & strategic partnerships at New York Road Runners Inc.
SportPort Appoints Sector Sports To Initiate Retail Strategies, Business Development Expansions
Kim Highfield, CEO and founder of SportPort, a U.S.-owned, women-operated specialty athletic apparel company with headquarters in Charlotte, NC, announced the appointment of Greenville, SC-based Sector Sports & Associates to help develop strategic retail placements, business development activities and product line expansions for its women’s activewear business.
G-III Apparel Names Fran Della Badia President Of AM Retail Group
G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. announced the appointment of Fran Della Badia as president of AM Retail Group, Inc., the retail subsidiary of G-III that operates stores and websites for its DKNY, Wilsons Leather, G.H. Bass and Karl Lagerfeld Paris brands and stores for the Calvin Klein Performance brand.

Sporting Goods’ Purge: Where Did They Land?
The liquidation of Sports Authority and other retail closures and mega-mergers over the last few years led to many executives finding new jobs inside and outside the industry. See where many landed.

Hybrid Apparel Appoints Bill Hutchison As CEO
Hybrid Apparel on Monday announced that Bill Hutchison will join the company as CEO, effective January 14, 2019. As CEO, he will be responsible for all of Hybrid’s business and will report to the board of directors.
Sears Prepares For Possible Liquidation
Sears Holdings Corp. is preparing to potentially wind down the iconic retailer after Chairman Eddie Lampert’s bid to buy several hundred stores out of bankruptcy fell short of bankers’ qualifications, according to reports.