Adidas has banned the use of animal fur in its products and joined the Fur Free Retailer (FFR) program.
Category: Footwear

Asics Invests In Soccer Scouting Platform
Asics Corporation announced that its investment subsidiary Asics Ventures Corporation has invested in Dreamstock Inc., an operator of a soccer scouting platform that matches soccer players with club teams.

Vista Outdoor’s Debt Ratings Upgraded
Moody’s Investors Service, upgraded Vista Outdoor Inc.’s new senior unsecured eight-year notes’ rating to B2 from B3.

Emerald Holding Posts Q4 Loss
Emerald Holding Inc. recognized a net loss of $58.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to a net loss of $68.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. Revenues were down 72.8 percent.

SportChek’s Q4 Comps Decline 3 Percent
Canadian Tire Corp. reported comparable sales growth in the SportChek segment declined 3 percent in the fourth quarter due to reduced promotional activity, temporary store closures and COVID-19 restrictions.

Kohl’s Appoints Board Member
Kohl’s Corporation announced that Robbin Mitchell has joined its Board of Directors as an independent director. She is a member of the Fashion & Luxury leadership team at the Boston Consulting Group.

Foot Locker Announces 2021 Capital Allocation Plans
Foot Locker, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors authorized two capital allocation initiatives, which provide for both elevated investments in the organic growth of its business and an increase in its dividend. The Board of Directors approved a $275 million capital expenditures program for 2021, compared to the approximately $155 million spent in 2020.

January Retail Sales Jump 7.4 Percent On Stimulus Benefit
Retail sales grew sharply in January as government stimulus checks provided a boost and momentum from 2020’s record holiday season carried over into the new year, the National Retail Federation said. Overall sales were up 7.4 percent seasonally adjusted year-over-year with sporting goods stores up 8 percent.

GOA Retailers See Second-Half Bounce Back In 2020
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (GOA) reported that with double-digit growth across the group in December, GOA retailers finished the 2020 calendar year down 0.34 percent compared to 2019. From June 2020 through January 2021, GOA retailers nationwide were up 10.8 percent.

New Balance To Sponsor AS Roma
New Balance has reached a deal to replace Nike as the official kit provider to the Italian Serie A club AS Roma, starting with the 2021/22 season.

Apex Global Brands To Be Acquired By Galaxy Universal
Apex Global Brands Inc. said it entered into a merger agreement with Galaxy Universal LLC. Apex’s brands include Hi-Tec, Magnum, 50 Peaks, Interceptor, Cherokee, Tony Hawk, Point Cove, Carole Little Everyday California, and Sideout.

Target Announces Updates To Executive Leadership Team
Target Corp. announced a number of changes across its executive leadership team, including appointing Christina Hennington as executive vice president and chief growth officer

SFIA Finds Individual Sports Shine In 2020
Individual sports such as tennis, golf, running, hiking, skateboarding and surfing thrived in 2020 as Americans pursued a host of pandemic-acceptable sports and fitness activities, according to SFIA’s Annual Topline Participation Report.

Adidas Begins Sale Process For Reebok
Adidas AG formally announced plans to divest its underperforming Reebok brand. In December, Adidas had announced had begun a review of whether to sell Reebok.

U.S. Tennis Participation Surges In 2020, Adding Four Million Players
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that tennis participation increased by 22 percent in 2020, with 21.64 million people hitting the courts according to recent data from the Physical Activity Council’s Participation (PAC) report. Of the more than 21 million Americans who said they played tennis last year, 6.78 million were new or returning players.