
Anta Sports Delivers Another Year Of Double-Digit Growth
Anta Sports, which has reached an agreement to acquire Amer Sports, reported another year of significant sales and earnings gains in 2018. Sales jumped 44.4 percent and earnings climbed 42.9 percent.
Macy’s Earnings Top Guidance, To Cut 100 Jobs In Restructuring
Macy’s Inc. reported earnings on an adjusted basis dipped slightly in the fourth quarter but came ahead of updated guidance provided in early January. Macy’s also announced a restructuring plan that will will but 100 vice-president level or above roles, “to increase the speed of decision making.”

Foot Locker Announces Strategic Partnership Children’s Apparel Start-Up
Foot Locker Inc. has made a $12.5 million minority investment in Launch Kids, Inc., d/b/a Rockets of Awesome, a New York City-based children’s apparel company. Foot Locker’s investment is part of Rockets of Awesome’s $19.5 million Series C capital raise.
Fleet Feet Launches Rewards App
Fleet Feet announced the launch of its revamped customer rewards program in conjunction with a new app.

Rocky Brands Q4 Boosted By Higher Margins, Plant Efficiencies
Helped by vibrant sales at its higher-margin retail segment and steps to improve efficiencies at company-operated manufacturing facilities, Rocky Brands Inc. reported earnings on an adjutted basis rose 28.6 percent in the fourth quarter ended December 31.

Adidas Earns Upgrade On Yeezy Momentum
Wells Fargo raised its rating on Adidas to “Outperform” from “Market Perform” due to the success the brand is finding with its “democratization” of Yeezy, its sub-brand collaboration with Kanye West.
Payless To Hold U.S. Retail’s Largest Liquidation
Payless ShoeSource is now holding store closing sales at all retail locations in North America. This is the largest liquidation event, by store count, in retail history with sales to be conducted at all of its approximately 2,300 stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.

Rocky Brands Q4 Profitability Shows Further Improvement
Rocky Brands Inc. reported earnings rose 28.6 percent in the fourth quarter on an adjusted basis. The gains reflect improved gross margins due to segment mix, increased manufacturing efficiencies and improved full priced selling. Wholesale sales increased 3.4 percent.
Fila Announces Partnership With Tommy Haas
Fila announced that it has reached a sponsorship agreement with former World No. 2 ranked tennis star Tommy Haas.
Kathmandu Announces North American Sales Teams
Kathmandu, the New Zealand travel and adventure brand, announced new sales representation in the Pacific Northwest, Rockies, and Southwest by The Alta Group, Urban Outdoors, and Pacific Crest Trading accordingly.
Tariff Hike Postponed
On Sunday, President Donald Trump delayed the March 1 deadline to increase tariffs on Chinese goods, citing “substantial progress” during a week of trade talks in Washington, D.C. between U.S. and Chinese officials.

Retail Reports Roundup
Retail studies arrived over the last two weeks on the value of in-person customer service, in-app spending growth, mobile payments, virtual assistants, supply chain digitization and more…
Arc’teryx’s Sales Grew 11 percent In 2018
Amer Sports issued its annual report review for 2018 that showed Arc’teryx’s sales grew 11 percent last year to drive growth across Softgoods, a strategic growth priority for the company.
Under Armour CEO’s Relationship With MSNBC Anchor Draws Scrutiny
The Wall Street Journal reported that Kevin Plank, Under Armour’s CEO, has been scrutinized by his board of directors for his personal relationship with MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle and its impact on the company.

Trade Talks Showing Some Positive Signals
Facing a March 1 deadline before tariffs on some $200 billion in Chinese imports rise, Chinese and U.S. negotiators held high level talks Thursday and Friday in Washington D.C. The discussions come amid signs of progress on resolving some issues in the seven-month trade dispute.