EXEC: Li Ning Posts Low-Single-Digit Retail Sales Gain in First Quarter
Li Ning Company, Ltd. reported that retail sell-through for the first quarter for Li-Ning POS, excluding Li-Ning Young, increased in the low-single digits year over year.
Moody’s Lowers Under Armour’s Debt Ratings
Moody’s Ratings downgraded Under Armour, Inc.’s debt ratings on its expectation that weakening consumer discretionary spending and increased tariff costs are likely to lead to lower earnings over the next 12-18 months.
Mizuno USA Strengthens Running Division With Key Hires
The company promoted Will Cutler as associate marketing manager while hiring Nico Betancourt as territory manager and Hope Nixon as running brand specialist.
Adidas Warns of U.S. Price Hikes Due to Tariffs
Adidas AG said that despite reporting better-than-expected first-quarter results, it opted not to raise its financial targets for 2025 due to rising concerns over President Donald Trump-imposed trade tariffs, including the threat that prices will have to rise for U.S. products. The company said it did not know how much it would boost prices.
Celerant Marks International Expansion with Acquisition of UK’s Saledock
Saledock has provided in-store and online retail solutions in the UK for over five years, serving a range of hard and soft goods retailers, specializing in bike, equestrian and sporting goods businesses with cloud-based point of sale, inventory, and eCommerce tools.
Oboz Adds Third Coast Sales to Cover Midwest and Great Lakes Region
Led by Principal Jessica Guile, Third Coast Sales brings extensive industry experience and strong retailer relationships to represent Oboz across Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky (Great Lakes), as well as Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota (Midwest) effective immediately.
EXEC: William Blair Tackles Tariff Realties in Latest Management Survey
Blair said that for now, the best solution seems to be a well-diversified supply chain across multiple jurisdictions, potentially with built-in redundancies to allow for nimbleness.
TBA Worldwide Acquires Amazon Specialty Agency SaleSurf Growth
SaleSurf Growth will operate as a standalone agency within the TBA Worldwide network, with its existing team and leadership remaining.
NSGA’s and Sporting Goods Industry Veteran Tom Doyle Passes Away
Tom Doyle died on April 22 at the age of 86. He worked at the NSGA for 39 years and was the association’s vice president of Information and Research when he retired in the fall of 2010. He was also president of the National Ski & Snowboard Retailers Association (NSSRA) from the time it was founded in 1987 until 2010.
Baffin Expands International Reach with DTC Shipping
With a longstanding presence in Canada and the United States through Baffin.com and retail partners, the company is expanding with direct-to-consumer shipping to France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
Nike, Inc. Sued Over NFT Investor Losses Incurred After Closure of RTFKT Unit
The company is now being sued by purchasers of NFTs (non-funglible tokens) that originated with Nike’s December 2021 acquisition of the RTFKT, a virtual sneaker design company and studio for NFTs.
WFSGI Adds New Faces to Board to Replace Outgoing Members
The new WFSGI Board has added Anne Larilahti, VP of Sustainability, Amer Sports; Mitchell Tsai, CEO, Apache Footwear; Todd Smith, President and CEO, SFIA; and Stefan Rummel, CEO, Messe Muenchen, the producer of the ISPO and Outdoor Munich Expos.
Hudson’s Bay to Close Balance of Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue Locations
The Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue stores in Canada are expected to operate until no later than June 15, 2025; however, some may close earlier. The company will close 9 Saks Off 5th stores on Sunday, April 27.
Skechers Posts Solid Q1; Withdraws Prior 2025 Guide, Pauses Outlook
Due to macroeconomic uncertainty stemming from global trade policies, SKX is not providing financial guidance and is withdrawing its annual 2025 guidance provided in the company’s earnings release reported on February 6, 2025.
Good Design, Reborn: Puma Suede
uma re-imagines the shoe once again, featuring premium materials crafted by British tannery Charles F. Stead, a distinguished tannery with a rich heritage dating back to 1904 in Leeds, England.
