2018 Holiday Sales Grew 2.9 Percent
Holiday retail sales during 2018 grew a lower-than-expected 2.9 percent over the same period in 2017 to $707.5 billion, the National Retail Federation said today after the Commerce Department released data that had been delayed by nearly a month because of the recent government shutdown.

Canada Goose Q3 Revenues Surge 50 Percent
Canada Goose again raised its guidance for the year after banging out significant gains in earnings and sales in the third quarter ended December 31. Results benefited from strong demand for expanded lightweight offerings, retailer requests for earlier shipments of merchandise, and a strong reception to new stores.

Report: Payless To Shutter All Doors
Payless ShoeSource plans to close all of its 2,300 stores in bankruptcy proceedings, sources told Reuters.
Future Plc Acquires Cycling News And Procycling Magazine From Immediate Media
Future Plc announced the acquisition of two specialist consumer brands from Immediate Media Co. – CyclingNews.com and Procycling Magazine.

SportChek’s Comps Climb 2.5 Percent In Q4
Canadian Tire Corp. reported SportChek’s comps were up 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter and 2.0 percent for the full year

Asics Resets Americas Team After Another Challenging Year
Following a year of double-digit declines, Asics America Group (AAG) reported that Koichiro Kodama will replace Gene McCarthy as CEO of the region in a broad management overhaul.

Puma’s Forecasts Double Digit Growth Again In 2019
Puma closed out its 70th year in business by seeing sales further accelerate in the fourth quarter, led by strength in Asia and North America. Another year of double-digit revenue growth and”significant” earnings gains was predicted for 2019.

Asics Appoints Koichiro Kodama To Head Asics America
Asics announced that Koichiro Kodama will replace Gene McCarthy as president and CEO of the Asics America Group segment.

Asics’ Operating Earnings Tumble On Americas Weakness
Asics reported operating income slumped 46.3 percent in 2018 on a 3.4 percent decline in sales. Results were impacted by a sharp decline in sales in the Americas region.

Emerald Expositions Posts Q4 Loss On Impairment Charges
Emerald Expositions, the parent of the Outdoor Retailer trade show, reported a net loss of $90 million in the fourth quarter as it took $104.3 in impairment charge related to certain trade names and customer-related intangible assets.

Canada Goose Holdings Q3 Earnings Soar
Canada Goose Holdings Inc. reported third-quarter earnings catapulted 66.2 percent on a 50.2 percent revenue hike. Earnings came in well above Wall Street’s target. The company lifted its guidance for the year.

Puma Q4 Revenues Jump 20 Percent
Puma wrapped up 2018 by reporting significant earnings gains in the fourth quarter on a 20.1 percent revenue gain. For 2019, Puma expects earnings to climb 23 percent on a 10 percent sales increase.

Senate Votes To Reauthorize Land And Water Conservation Fund
The U.S. Senate passed a sweeping public lands package. The bill designates more than one million acres of wilderness for environmental protection and permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Puma And NBA Announce Multiyear Partnership
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Puma announced a new multiyear partnership that will make Puma an official marketing partner of the NBA. Puma will be able to feature athletes in their respective NBA uniforms and team logos.
Moody’s Upgrades Caleres’ Debt Ratings
Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Caleres, Inc.’s Speculative Grade Liquidity rating to SGL-2 from SGL-3 due to the maturity extension of its asset based revolving credit facility.