Two companies that have struggled in recent years –Billabong and Boardriders (formerly Quiksilver) – have agreed to merge in hopes of faring better together tackling the brutal action sports marketplace.
Category: Footwear

Aisle Talk, Week Of January 1
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Sloane Stephens Shifts From Under Armour To Nike
Sloane Stephens, formerly Under Armour’s top female tennis endorser, has signed a deal with Nike.

Billabong To Merge With Quiksilver
The parent of the Quiksilver, DC Shoes and Roxy, B0ardriders Inc., agreed to acquire rival Billabong International Ltd., creating combining two of the largest active sports brands worldwide.
Nike Golf Signs Patrick Reed
Nike Golf added a number of golf ambassadors, including Patrick Reed, the five-time PGA Tour winner.

Wells Fargo Sees Dick’s As Long-Term “Survivor”
Wells Fargo upgraded its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods to “Outperform” in part because it believes the company will ultimately benefit from the industry’s consolidation, much like Best Buy has done in the consumer electronics channel.

Jefferies Downgrades Deckers, Upgrades Genesco, Bullish On Under Armour/Foot Locker
Jefferies lowered its rating on Deckers Outdoor to “Hold” in part due to the stock’s recent run-up in price, upgraded Genesco to “Buy,” and listed Under Armour and Foot Locker among its long-term buys.

Callaway Golf Signs Xander Schauffele
Callaway Golf Company announced that Xander Schauffele, a rising star on the PGA Tour, has joined its professional staff.

Camping World Announces Initial List of Gander Outdoors Openings
Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain, announced the initial list of 69 stores that are scheduled to open by May 2018.

L.L.Bean U.S. Cross Country Championships Begins January 3
The top cross-country skiers from across Alaska and America will compete for more than prestigious national titles in the 2018 L.L.Bean U.S. Cross Country Championships, which begin Wednesday, January 3, and continue through Monday, January 8, at Kincaid Park.
The Buckle Sees December Sales Slide
The Buckle Inc. announced that comparable store net sales, for stores open at least one year, for the 5-week period ended December 30, 2017 decreased 4.1 percent.
J. C. Penney Sees 3.4 Percent Gain In Holiday Sales
J. C. Penney Company Inc. announced that its comparable store sales for the combined nine-week period ending December 30, 2017 increased 3.4 percent over the same period last year. The company also reaffirmed all components of its most recent full-year financial guidance for fiscal 2017.

Macy’s Reports Positive Comp Sales For November/December
Macy’s Inc. announced that its comparable sales on an owned basis increased 1.0 percent in the months of November and December 2017 combined, compared to the same period last year. Active apparel, shoes, dresses, coats, fine jewelry, men’s tailored clothing, children’s and home were all top performers.
KingSize Announces Exclusive Partnership With Copper Fit
KingSize, the men’s extended sizing retailer, announced an exclusive partnership with Copper Fit carrying its compression gear in extended sizes 2XL-5XL.
Powerstep Parent Files Infringement Lawsuit
Stable Step, LLC, a leading provider of prefabricated orthotics and insoles under the Powerstep brand, has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Foot Care Store, Inc./Dia-Foot, distributor and retailer of Pure Stride orthotics.