Lululemon Athletica Inc. reported basically flat earnings before special items in the second quarter but earnings were 4 cents ahead of Wall Street’s consensus estimate. Same-store sales grew 7 percent and gross margins expanded 180 basis points.
Category: Sports/Fitness

Registration Opens For 2018 Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon
The 33rd edition of the race, scheduled for Sunday, March 18, 2018, offers more than 24,000 participants the opportunity to run the Stadium to the Sea course, starting at Dodger Stadium and finishing near the Santa Monica Pier.

Ironman Foundation Launches Harvey Relief Effort
Funds raised will support recovery efforts and service projects in the greater race communities for the Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas, Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas and Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and Half Marathon.
Amer Sports Updates 2020 Growth Target, Prioritizing Profitable Growth
Amer Sports now targets annual mid-single-digit organic, currency-neutral growth instead of the previous target of €3.5 billion by 2020. The change reflects the challenging wholesale market in the U.S.

Georgetown, Nike Reach Pact On Worker Conditions
As part of the agreement, Nike has established a new protocol with the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), which provides the WRC with formal access to Nike supplier factories that manufacture WRC-affiliated collegiate products, to investigate working conditions and strengthen coordination regarding any remediation efforts.

Academy Sports Taking Leading Role In Harvey Recovery Efforts
Academy Sports + Outdoors, based in the Houston area, has reopened most of its stores impacted by Hurricane Harvey and has stepped up to play a major role in recovery efforts.

Famous Footwear’s Parent’s Shares Pop On Promising BTS Results
Shares of Caleres rose $1.86, or 7.5 percent, to $26.67 on Wednesday after the company indicated its Famous Footwear chain delivered its best back-to-school performance since 2013.

Texas Athletes And Teams Unite For Hurricane Relief
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt donated $100,000 and announced that he hoped to raise $500,000 in total, a goal he reached in the first 24 hours of the campaign.

United Sports Brands Launches Partnership With FlipGive.com
Under the partnership, Shock Doctor, McDavid and Cutters will give 10 percent of sales back to team sports and leagues through the online fundraising site.
Balega Welcomes New Northeast Sales Rep
Balega expanded its fast-growing domestic sales team with the hire of Joe Moscariello to serve the New England running community.

Finish Line’s Shares Tumble On Slashed Outlook
Shares of Finish Line fell $1.92, or 18.5 percent, to $8.50 on Tuesday after the retailer significantly reduced its profit outlook for the full year amid disappointing sales in recent months.

Interbike Unveils 2017 Innovation Award Winners
Interbike partnered with Hi-Torque Publications, LAVA Magazine, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, The Mann Group and PeopleForBikes in each of the categories to choose the winners.
ADA And NBS Partner To Co-Locate Fall Athletic Market
ADA and NBS have partnered to co-locate their 2017 Fall Athletic Buying Sessions. The joint event will be held at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

Finish Line Slashes Forecast, Adopts ‘Poison Pill’
The Finish Line Inc. said it expects a steep decline in earnings in both the second quarter and fiscal year ended March 3 while also indicating it is adopting a shareholder-rights plan aimed at thwarting unwanted takeover advances.

361 Degrees USA Signs Katie Zaferes
361 Degrees USA signed Katie Zaferes, one of the world’s premier triathletes and 2016 U.S. Olympian, to a multi-year partnership agreement.