April Retail Sales Up 2.8 Percent YOY

April retail sales increased 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted over March and 2.8 percent year-over-year as consumers continued to spend, the National Retail Federation said Tuesday. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.

Clarus Corp. To Expand In Utah

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) in Utah announced Clarus Corporation, parent company of Black Diamond Equipment, will expand in Utah over the next eight years, adding up to 147 high-paying jobs, $8.9 million in new state revenue and $40 million in capital investment.

HanesBrands Hires Jon Ram To Lead Global Activewear Business

Jonathan Ram, 50, will join Hanes to lead the company’s global activewear businesses, including Champion, as group president, global activewear, effective May 21. Ram joins Hanes from New Balance Athletics, Inc., where he served as executive vice president North America.

Foot Locker’s Dick Johnson Stands Up For Brick & Mortar

Speaking at FDRA 2018 Executive Summit held in Washington, D.C., Dick Johnson, chairman, president and CEO of Foot Locker Inc., said, “Some people think that it’s negative baggage that we have over 3,000 stores around the world. We don’t see it that way. We think it’s very much a positive.”

Aisle Talk Week Of May 7

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Herschel Walker (pictured) being appointed to President Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.

SGB Executive Q&A: Helly Hansen CEO Discusses Sale To Canadian Tire

Helly Hansen is being sold to Canadian Tire Corp. for about $771 million in a deal announced early Thursday, but don’t look for sweeping changes at the iconic Norwegian outdoor brand. Helly Hansen CEO Paul Stoneham (pictured, pointing) spoke with SGB about what’s in store for the company moving forward.

Buckle’s Comps Slide In April

The Buckle Inc. reported comparable store net sales, for stores open at least one year, for the four-week period ended May 5, 2018 decreased 3.4 percent from comparable store net sales for the four-week period ended May 6, 2017.

Mizuno Americas Sales Lag, Profitability Recovers

Mizuno Corp.’s sales slid 14.2 percent in the Americas region in its fiscal year ended March 31. But the decline was partly due to efforts to clean up inventories and reduce lower-margin sales that bolstered underlying profitability. Some sales recovery was predicted for the Americas region in the years ahead.

Canadian Tire Sees Earnings Dip In Q1 But Sales Improve

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited  reported earnings dipped in the first quarter due to accelerated depreciation expense but consolidated same-store sales grew 5.2 percent in the quarter and retail gross margins improved. FGL’s same store sales increased 3.9 percent.

Canadian Tire Agrees To Acquire Helly Hansen

Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd (CTC). entered into an agreement to purchase Helly Hansen, the maker of sportswear and workwear based in Oslo, Norway. The purchase price was Canadian $985 million (U.S. $771 mm).