A Colorado sports apparel and memorabilia store is closing following its move to stop selling Nike product as a protest against the brand’s embrace of Colin Kaepernick.
Category: Sports/Fitness
JD Sports Acquires Stake In Footasylum
JD Sports has purchased an 8 percent stake in Footasylum, which has 70 stores in the United Kingdom.

SFIA: Sports Industry Facing Too Many Casual Participants
The annual SFIA Topline Participation Report found more Americans embracing healthy lifestyles in 2018, including notable gains in participation in a number of outdoor and fitness activities. But the study found tackle football participation taking another hit and overall gains being driven by casual rather than core participants.
Brazil’s Centauro Files For IPO
Grupo SBF, owner of the Brazil sporting goods chain Centauro, filed for an initial public offering on the São Paulo stock exchange.

SportChek Q4 Boosted By Owned-Brands Push
Canadian Tire Corp reported that its SportChek segment saw same-store sales climb 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, helped by a strong reception to its owned brands, Ripzone, Helly Hansen and Woods. Said Allan MacDonald, Canadia Tire’s EVP of retail, “I’m pleased that our owned brand strategy has now taken root at Sport Chek where we have to compete with some of the greatest brands in the world.”
Lululemon Expands Parental Leave Policy
Lululemon said it will now offer its employees three to six months of paid parental leave.
Eddie Lampert Steps Down As Sears’ Chairman
Eddie Lampert will step down as chairman of Sears Holdings Corp’s board, effective immediately, according to a regulatory filing.
Lorna Jane Continues Expansion
Lorna Jane, the Australian women’s activewear brand, is opening eight more stores in the U.S. to bring the brand’s store count to 38.

OBIT … Fila’s Jon Epstein
Jon Epstein, president and global chief commercial officer of Fila North America, died on Friday. He was 63.

Asics Resets Americas Team After Another Challenging Year
Following a year of double-digit declines, Asics America Group (AAG) reported that Koichiro Kodama will replace Gene McCarthy as CEO of the region in a broad management overhaul.

Puma’s Forecasts Double Digit Growth Again In 2019
Puma closed out its 70th year in business by seeing sales further accelerate in the fourth quarter, led by strength in Asia and North America. Another year of double-digit revenue growth and”significant” earnings gains was predicted for 2019.

Asics Appoints Koichiro Kodama To Head Asics America
Asics announced that Koichiro Kodama will replace Gene McCarthy as president and CEO of the Asics America Group segment.

Asics’ Operating Earnings Tumble On Americas Weakness
Asics reported operating income slumped 46.3 percent in 2018 on a 3.4 percent decline in sales. Results were impacted by a sharp decline in sales in the Americas region.

Puma Q4 Revenues Jump 20 Percent
Puma wrapped up 2018 by reporting significant earnings gains in the fourth quarter on a 20.1 percent revenue gain. For 2019, Puma expects earnings to climb 23 percent on a 10 percent sales increase.

Headsweats Becomes Apparel Sponsor Of Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run
Headsweats joins the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run presented by Turkish Airlines as the official apparel sponsor.