Oppenheimer upgraded Foot Locker to “Outperform” due to strong innovation arriving from Nike, ongoing momentum at Adidas and a pickup in mall traffic.
Category: Apparel

Academy Sports Faces Layoffs Again
Following a round of layoffs last summer, Academy Sports + Outdoors said it will be laying off approximately 140 corporate employees largely due to the outsourcing of certain IT functions at the retailer.

Hello Denver! (Take Two)
SGB reached out to a number of attendees of the inaugural Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show and heard largely positive feedback. Comments from Klean Kanteen, Vasque, Bogs, Pro-Tec, Massey Outfitters, OrthoLite, Croakies, Implus, Sweet Protection, Maine Outdoor Brands, Walls Outdoor Goods, Dare 2b, Craghopppers, Free Country, Kamik, MSR and Honey Stinger.

Academy Sports + Outdoor to Undergo Corporate Layoffs
Academy Sports + Outdoors said it will be laying off approximately 140 non-customer facing positions largely due to the outsourcing of certain IT functions at the retailer.
Fresno’s Herb Bauer Sporting Goods to Close
Herb Bauer Sporting Goods in Fresno is closing after 68 years in business.
Search Ends for Quiksilver CEO Pierre Agnes
French authorities on Wednesday called off a two-day search and rescue operation for Pierre Agnes, the CEO of Boardriders Inc., after his boat was found empty, washed up on a beach in south-west France.
Unifi Names Vice President of Global Corporate Sustainability
Unifi Inc. announced the appointment of Eddie Ingle to vice president of global corporate sustainability, supply chain and general manager of Recycled Chip and Flake.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Partner With Mastercard
Mastercard announced that Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s has chosen the company to be the network for the outdoor retailer’s combined consumer credit co-brand portfolio. Mastercard has long been the network on the Bass Pro Shops co-brand program.

Hello Denver! (Take One)
With healthy traffic in the aisles extending into the last two days of the show for many exhibitors, the inaugural Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show was largely a hit. Comments from SCARPA, LEKI, OOFOS, SIA, Smartwool, Osprey Packs, Kari Traa, Oboz, Mountain Khakis, Downlite Outdoor, Stanley, Honeywell Retail and Seirus. More responses to come Thursday.
Gant Partners with Waterkeeper Alliance
Gant has partnered with Waterkeeper Alliance, the largest and fastest-growing non-profit focusing solely on clean water. Gant will support the organization’s mission through an annual charity contribution.
Bon-Ton Announces Locations of Store Closures
The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. announced the 42 locations that will be closed as part of its previously communicated store rationalization program. The closing stores will include locations under all of the company’s nameplates.
Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows Commits to 100 Percent Renewable Energy
To help achieve Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows’ goal to be powered by 100 percent clean, renewable energy sources, Liberty Utilities, the electric service provider in the Lake Tahoe region of California, is actively collaborating with resort leadership to identify and develop new renewable energy generation, storage and energy efficiency projects to benefit the Olympic Valley and surrounding areas.
Golf Rounds Slide In December
According to Golf Datatech National Rounds Played Report, rounds on a national level were up 4.1 percent in December 2017 compared to December 2016. Total year 2017 compared to 2016 rounds were down 2.7 percent.

Americans Say No To A Safer NFL
Despite an onslaught of negative news linking football to head injuries and concussions, the American public remains strongly opposed to major rule changes that would reduce the violence of the game.

Should Boomer Women Fitness Enthusiasts Feel Ignored?
According to a study from JWT London Innovation Group, older Boomer women “feel invisible or ‘edited-out’ when it comes to the leisure and fitness category.”