On Friday October 19, Nike announced that the First Place winner of their Circular Innovation Challenge was San Francisco yoga product startup Yogo for their entry presenting a collection of yoga props using Nike Grind Materials.
Category: Apparel
Summersalt Lands $6.1 Million In Funding
St. Louis-based swimwear brand Summersalt has secured $6.1 million in Series A funding, led by Founders Fund, with plans to launch a new category targeted towards modern travelers.

Kathmandu To Launch In North America With Outdoor Retailer Debut
Kathmandu, the iconic New Zealand travel and adventure brand, will launch in North America with a collection debut at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.

Columbia Sportswear Notches Strongest Earnings In Company History
Citing the benefits of the company’s “brand-led, consumer-focused” Project CONNECT initiative, Columbia Sportswear reported earnings topped Wall Street targets for the seventh straight quarter, lifted its guidance for the year and provided an upbeat outlook for 2019.

Aisle Talk Week of October 22
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Yeti’s lukewarm initial public offering debut.

Outdoor Drives Amer Sports In Q3 As Company Stays Quiet On Anta Bid
Amer Sports made it clear Thursday that the company wouldn’t discuss Anta Sports’ acquisition bid, leaving the company to focus solely on Amer’s solid third-quarter performance, especially in the company’s outdoor segment. Amer Sports reported earnings in the third quarter ended September 30 increased 47 percent while sales grew 8.5 percent.

Columbia Sportswear Raises 2018 Guidance On Earnings, Revenue Beat
Columbia Sportswear Co. on Thursday afternoon reported that net income for the third quarter ended September 30 increased 14 percent to $100.2 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, compared to third quarter 2017 net income of $87.7 million, or $1.25 per diluted share. The company’s earnings beat Wall Street estimates by 14 cents.
Amer Sports Appoints Megan Porteous Digital Marketing Director
Amer Sports, the parent of Arc’teryx, Salomon and Wilson Sporting Goods, announced the promotion of Megan Porteous to the position of digital marketing director, Americas. In her new position, effective November 1, Porteous will oversee the company’s portfolio-wide transformation as an omnichannel marketing organization in the Americas region.
Varsity Spirit Partners With Fabletics
Varsity Spirit, the leader in cheer and dance educational camps and competitions, announced the company’s long-term partnership with Fabletics, the active lifestyle brand launched by Kate Hudson in 2013.
Asics Signs Andres Iniesta
Asics announced a multi-year sponsorship deal with Spanish football star Andrés Iniesta. He had been with Nike. The signing signals Asics’ vision to expand the company’s football business and reach more audiences across Asia and beyond.

Timberland Appoints Global Creative Director
Timberland appointed Christopher Raeburn to serve as global creative director for the brand.
VF Corp. CEO Steve Rendle Honored By Corporate Responsibility Magazine
VF Corp. on Thursday announced that the company’s chairman, president and CEO Steve Rendle has been recognized by Corporate Responsibility (CR) Magazine as a Responsible CEO of the Year. The annual awards are given to corporate leaders who are committed to a progressive environmental, social and governance agenda.
Duluth Holdings Opens 43rd Store in Greensboro, NC
Duluth Holdings Inc. (dba, Duluth Trading Company) on Thursday announced the grand opening of the company’s 43rd store in Greensboro, NC. The store is located at 5400 Hornaday Road, Greensboro, NC, 27407.
Pentland Brands Appoints CFO
Pentland Brands Limited announced the appointment of Katrina Nurse as the company’s new chief finance officer.

Amer Sports Profits Jump In Q3
Amer Sports reported earnings in the third quarter jumped 47.0 percent as sales gained 8.5 percent. The gains were led by the Outdoor segment which saw sales expand 12 percent on a currency-neutral basis. The Ball Sports segment was ahead 4 percent and Fitness segment was flat.