Skechers Enters the Basketball Arena
Skechers announced its entry into the technical basketball shoe category by launching two mid-top styles—SKX Resagrip and SKX Float—and signed endorsement deals with Julius Randle of the New York Knicks and Terance Mann of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Grassroots Sees a “Return to Earth” for Specialty Heading into Fall Connect Show
Heading into the upcoming Grassroots Connect in November, GOA retailers reported a flattening of overall sales in the trailing 12 months prior to September, in what the specialty retailer organization is calling “an expected return to Earth.”
Vimazi drops Pace-Tuned Trail Running Shoes
Vimazi, the developer of pace-tuned running shoes, released its pace-tuned trail running collection, continuing the brand’s mission.
Report: Adidas Pauses Yeezy Releases
Adidas has now put a pause on its planned Yeezy releases, including a planned drop in November, a decision that was attributed to the company’s Board. No reason was given for the pause.
Adidas Confirms Partnership to Outfit Texas Tech
Adidas will replace Under Armour as the uniform supplier for Texas Tech for the 2024 season. Under Armour’s partnership with the University began in 2006.
On Brand to Open Second London Store
On will open its second store in the UK in East London’s Spitalfields Market on November 3. On opened a flagship on Regent Street in February.
Circana Delivers Muted Holiday Retail Outlook
Holiday spending is expected to come close to last year’s results but could fall short by as much as 2.5 percent during the traditional November and December shopping season, according to Circana’s annual Holiday Purchase Intentions study. The outlook was slightly improved when holiday sales falling in October are included.
West Marine’s Debt Ratings Upgraded on Out-of-Court Restructuring
S&P Global Ratings raised its debt ratings on Rising Tide, doing business as West Marine, after the marine aftermarket retailer was able to complete an out-of-court restructuring, exchanging previous debt for equity consideration and adding new debt to the capital structure.
Stella Int’l Q3 Footwear Shipment Volume Falls in the High Teens
The manufacturer of footwear for Nike, Saucony, Under Armour, Merrell, Timberland and Ugg saw Q3 shipment volumes decrease by approximately 18.7 percent year-over-year, nearly triple the second quarter decline.
Report: VF Corp. Faces Second Activist Investor Threat
VF Corp.’s shares were up about 3 percent in late-afternoon trading on a Bloomberg report that activist investor Legion Partners Asset Management is targeting the company. Legion’s push would follow a move by activist investor Engaged Capital to acquire a stake in VF and call for cost cuts and board changes.
Shimano’s YTD Sales Tumble 20 Percent on Cycling Weakness
Shimano, Inc.’s sales tumbled 19.8 percent in the nine months as sales in its Bicycle Components segment dropped 24.8 percent with the decline tied to high inventories in the IBD channel. The Japanese-based company nonetheless slightly raised its outlook for the year as orders in the back half weren’t as soft as expected.
Report: September Golf Rounds Show Uptick
Golf Datatech reported that U.S. golf rounds played were up 1.6 percent year-over-year in September and increased 3.8 percent year-to-date, according to the research firm’s latest National Rounds Played Report for September 2023.
Puma’s Q3 Profits Drop On Currency Effects; Confirms Annual Guidance
Puma’s earnings fell 9.6 percent due to currency headwinds, weakness in North America and higher expenses. However, higher-than-expected revenues due to momentum in Europe, a recovery in China as well as stronger-than-expected margins led the German-based company to reiterate its guidance for the year.
REI To Open Eighth Store In Florida
REI Co-op announced plans to open another new store in Florida on November 10 in Sarasota at University Town Center. The 25,000-square-foot space is the co-op’s eighth store in the state.
VF Corp. Appoints Former Nike President to Board
VF Corp. appointed former Nike executive Trevor A. Edwards to the company’s Board of Directors, effective October 22. Edwards served as president of Nike, Inc. from 2013 until 2018.
