U.S. Consumer Sentiment Rises To Four-Month High
Consumer sentiment jumped 7.9 percent month-to-month to 63.9, in the first two weeks of June, reaching its highest level in four months, according to preliminary data from the University of Michigan survey of consumers.
Zamberlan Appoints New U.S. General Manager
Zamberlan hired industry veteran Bob Whip as U.S. general manager. Outgoing GM Phil Benson has taken a principal role within private equity in partnership with Novastone Capital Advisors and will remain in the outdoor industry.
Globe Intl. Appoints Surf/Beach Lifestyle Vet As New Board Chair
Globe International Ltd. appointed Harry Hodge as non-executive director and chair of the company’s Board of Directors. William Crothers resigned as chair and director of the Board of Directors after a three-year term, effective immediately.
Asics Invests In Virtual Reality Exercise
Asics Corp. announced that its investment subsidiary, Asics Ventures Corp., had invested in Valkyrie Industries, Ltd., a London-based startup that combines virtual reality with electrical muscle stimulation. The funding amount was undisclosed.
New Balance To Build Plant In Londonderry
New Balance plans to build a manufacturing plant near the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Londonderry, NH; this is the company’s sixth factory in the U.S. The others are in Maine and Massachusetts.
NRF Foundation Adds Four Members To Board Of Directors
The NRF Foundation reported adding four new members to its Board of Directors, elected during the organization’s summer board meeting in New York City.
Walmart Opens Its Largest Fulfillment Center Outside Indianapolis
Walmart celebrated the grand opening of a new 2.2 million-square-foot fulfillment center twenty miles northeast of Indianapolis in McCordsville, IN. The next-gen facility is Walmart’s largest fulfillment center to date and enable the retailer to fill orders more quickly.
The Rockport Co. Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy; CEO Resigns
The Rockport Co. has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a U.S. District Court in Delaware and intends to file a motion seeking authorization to pursue an auction and sale process.
Outdoor Product Sales A Reflection Of Shifting Post-Pandemic Lifestyle Trends
Sales across the $28 billion U.S. outdoor industry declined by 1 percent in the 12 months ending April 2023, versus the comparable prior-year period, impacted by consumers spending less on big-ticket equipment items and instead buying backpacks, blankets, camping accessories, and other versatile products.
Retail Market Breathes A Sigh Of Relief As West Coast Ports Deal Reached
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports.
Retail Sales See Slight Uptick In May; Sporting Goods Stores Up 2.5 Percent
Retail sales increased 0.3 percent from April to May and gained 1.6 percent year-over-year. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast sales would decline 0.1 percent month-over-month.
Johnston & Murphy Hires VPs Of Stores And Business Operations
Johnston & Murphy hired Connie Cartmill, most recently at Janie & Jack, as vice president of stores and Steve Prince, formerly at New Balance, as vice president of business operations.
Sport 2000 Reaches €6.5 Bn In 2022 Sales; SGN Sports Leaving Group
Sport 2000 International, the world’s second-largest trade organization for independent sports retailers with 3,586 stores in 25 countries, recently reported it is reflecting on a successful year, closing the 2022 financial year with gross retail sales of €6.5 billion.
REI Workers Union Adding Pressure With Unfair Labor Practice Allegations
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) announced it would be filing Unfair Labor Practice charges (ULPs) against REI, Inc. in the Cleveland (Beachwood, OH) and SoHo (Manhattan, NY) unionized stores.
Grassroots Moving Spring Connect Show To Reno In 2024
Grassroots Connect, the twice-annual retail buying show of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, will move its June show to Reno, NV, beginning in 2024.
