Unifi Inc. reported a slight decline in earnings in the first quarter ended September 24 as a 2.7 percent revenue gain wasn’t offset by lower margins and investments in its strategic growth initiatives.
Category: Apparel

VF Corp.’s Tops Q3 Targets, Lifts Outlook
VF Corp. again raised its outlook for the year after reporting third-quarter earnings that came in well above Wall Street’s targets. In Outdoor & Action Sports, its largest coalition, revenue increased 8 percent, led by a 28 percent gain by Vans.

Supreme Sells Equity Stake To Carlyle Group
Supreme, the skateboard apparel manufacturer, sold an approximately 50 percent stake in the company to private-equity firm Carlyle Group LP for about $500 million.
NRF: Imports Set A Second Record High
Imports set a second all-time monthly record high this summer as retailers brought in merchandise for the busy holiday season, and are continuing at unusually high levels this month, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released this month by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Hudson’s Bay’s CEO To Step Down
HBC announced that Gerald L. (Jerry) Storch has stepped down as chief executive officer, effective November 1, 2017, to return to his advisory firm, Storch Advisors.
Mountain Hardwear Embraces Heroes With Launch Of Impact Initiative
Mountain Hardwear Inc., launched its Impact Initiative, a program featuring environmentalists, thought leaders, humanitarians and storytellers, working on a collective mission to inspire people to support solutions to help protect outdoor playgrounds.

Under Armour Signs Syrian Swimmer
Under Armour added 19-year old Syrian freestyle and butterfly swimmer Yusra Mardini to its team of international athletes.

Bauer Launches Expanded Women’s Hockey Campaign
Bauer Hockey launched its most robust and expansive women-specific initiative in history as part of its campaign to grow and advance female hockey.

Lululemon Upgraded On “Overblown” Amazon Fears
“We believe recent mkt concerns (Amazon, denim, weather) are overblown, and we believe current levels represent an attractive entry point for one of the best performing brands (and long term growth stories) in all of retail,” Citi analyst, Paul Lejuez, wrote in a note to clients.

Skechers Q3 Powered By International Growth
Led by gangbuster gains in international markets and a gritty performance in the challenging U.S. marketplace, Skechers USA reported earnings in the third quarter that handily topped estimates.

Aisle Talk, Week Of October 16
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.

NOAA Winter Forecast: Cooler, Wetter North And Warmer, Drier South
Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released the U.S. Winter Outlook, with La Nina potentially emerging for the second year in a row as the biggest wildcard in how this year’s winter will shape up. La Nina has a 55- to 65-percent chance of developing before winter sets in.

Helly Hansen Acquires British Sailing And Country Apparel Brand Musto
The technical outdoor brand signed a definitive agreement to acquire Musto, a British specialist sailing and country apparel brand, from Phoenix Equity Partners and other shareholders.
Adidas, Patagonia Achieve Fair Labor Reaccreditation
The programs at Adidas and Patagonia, both long-time Fair Labor Association (FLA) members, were reaccredited for their continued work to build and maintain internal structures that support the highest workplace standards.

Jefferies Sees Curry 4 Becoming Top B-Ball Sneaker This Year
“Our calls, store visits, social media analysis and review of StockX pricing of Curry 4 soft launches (official launch 10/27) points to very strong buzz in the market,” Randal Konik, Jefferies’ lead analyst, wrote in a note to clients.