Vineyard Vines, best known for the company’s whimsical neckties and smiling pink whale logoed golf apparel, is celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary this July with a limited-edition collection and special in-store events.
Category: Sports/Fitness
Nike Names New Chief Sustainability Officer
Nike Inc. announced that Noel Kinder will become the company’s new VP, chief sustainability officer (CSO), effective September 5. Kinder succeeds Hannah Jones, a 20-year Nike veteran as CSO, who after 14 years in the role will become president of Nike Valiant Labs, the company’s in-house new business model incubator.
Top of the World Partners With Pac-12
Top of the World, the maker of collegiate licensed apparel and headwear, has been named the official locker room provider for the Pac-12 Conference.
Giants’ Saquon Barkley Leads NFL Jersey Sales
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Franscisco 49ers and Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns were the top-five selling NFL jerseys between April 1 and June 23 on NFLshop.com, according to the NFL.
Under Armour Strengthens Regional Structure With New Executive Appointments
Under Armour Inc. announced the appointments of Jason Archer as managing director, Asia Pacific; Manuel Ovalle as managing director, Latin America and Massimo Baratto as managing director, Europe, Middle East & Africa. Additionally, the company announced that the Hong Kong office will be expanded to serve as the company’s Asia Pacific (APAC) headquarters.

June M&A Roundup: Megaresorts Expand Their Empires
Summer is an odd time to discuss what’s happening at North American ski areas—especially with record high temps now sweeping the U.S.—but the escalating “arms race” between megaresort operators Vail Resorts Inc. and Alterra Mountain Co. was among the hottest M&A developments in June.

Retail Report Roundup – July 1
Studies arrived last week showing Nike ranked highest among active lifestyle brands, but lost ground on Brand Finance’s annual ranking of the most valuable American brands. Studies also rated the digital expertise of department stores, the relevance of social activism for brands with teens, robust urban population growth and apparel’s expansion online.

Pentland Group’s 2017 Revenues Climb 25 Percent
Pentland Group PLC reported operating income grew 14 percent in its year ended December 31 on a 25 percent revenue gain. The sale gains were driven by a record performance from JD Sports Fashion PLC.
SFIA Adds $15K Prize For 2018 Start-Up Challenge Winner
SFIA will be adding a $15,000 cash grand prize, provided by innovation hub and venture capital firm Black Lab Sports, to the organization’s third annual Start-Up Challenge.

PGA Tour Superstore Plans To Double Store Base by 2022
PGA Tour Superstore, which has 33 locations, plans to open five to seven stores per year and have 60 plus stores by 2022, according to a report from Women’s Wear Daily.

Nike To Debut Nike Live Concept In Melrose
Nike on July 12 in Melrose will open Nike Live, a new store concept “that will be inspired by and built as a hub for its local NikePlus members.”
Newell Brands Completes Divestitures Of Rawlings
Newell Brands completed the divestiture of Rawlings Sporting Goods Company Inc., comprising the Rawlings, Miken and Worth brands, to a fund managed by Seidler Equity Partners. Major League Baseball co-invested with SEP.
Fila Doubles Distribution Center Footprint In Baltimore
Fila North America has more than doubled the company’s distribution center space, expanding the company’s presence in Baltimore. The company signed a 10-year lease, acquiring a space that sits adjacent to the current Fila facility

Nike’s Shares Pop On U.S. Recovery
Shares of Nike Inc. shot up $8.00, or 11.2 percent, to $79.70 to surpass an all-time high as the sports leader saw growth for the first time in four quarters in the U.S. The gains were boosted by the success of several break-through product launches and the payback of investments in direct-to-consumer and digital engagement.

Nike CEO Mark Parker On Company’s Digital Progress
Nike Inc.’s impressive fourth quarter saw balanced growth across regions and divisions, but the company’s digital gains were especially notable. A jump in digital sales was the result of an increased emphasis on platforms and not just products, according to CEO Mark Parker.