Retail Jobs Grew 18,600 In November

Retail industry employment in November increased by 18,600 jobs seasonally adjusted from October, accounting for 12 percent of the 155,000-job increase reported by the Labor Department for the economy overall, the National Retail Federation said.

Chinese Investor Consortium Reaches Agreement To Acquire Amer Sports

A consortium led by China’s Anta Sports made an offer to acquire Finland’s Amer Sports in a deal that values the company at €4.6 billion (US$5.23 billion) and Amer’s board is recommending shareholders approve the offer. The consortium plans to operate Amer Sports independently from Anta, with a separate board of directors.

Aisle Talk Week Of December 3

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including big news from trade show owner Emerald Expositions, which canceled Interbike (pictured) for 2019 and also shortened Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and Winter Market from four days to three days.

Retail Disappoints In Duluth Trading’s Q3

Shares of Duluth Holdings Inc. tumbled $6.03, or 19.9 percent, to $24.33 Friday following the company’s mixed third-quarter results. Although the company’s revenue was up 27.4 percent to $106.7 million—which beat Wall Street’s target by $2 million—there is concern on the retail side.

Johnson Outdoors Sees Record Annual Results

Johnson Outdoors announced all-time high revenue and earnings for the second consecutive fiscal year. Strong marketplace demand for new products in the company’s core Fishing and Diving brands propelled an 11 percent increase in sales as operating profit grew 38 percent and net income rose 16 percent over the prior fiscal year. The seasonally slow fourth quarter net sales nearly equaled prior year results.

Vail Resorts Season Pass Sales Ahead Double-Digits

Vail Resorts widened its loss in the first quarter but noted that season pass sales through December 2, 2018 for the upcoming 2018/2019 North American ski season increased approximately 21 percent in units and 13 percent in sales dollars.

Fischer Restructures U.S. Organization

Fischer Sports GmbH, one of the world’s largest ski manufacturers, announced a restructuring of the U.S. subsidiary based in Auburn, NH effective immediately. Fischer global CEO Franz Foettinger assumes oversight of the U.S. organization in the wake of the departure of former U.S. CEO, Ryan Leach.