RILA Encouraged By Path Forward With China On Trade
Retail Industry Leaders Association’s vice president for international trade, Hun Quach, issued a statement following President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 meeting in Argentina.
Golf Rounds Played Plunge In October
According to Golf Datatech, golf rounds played in the U.S. tumbled 10.3 percent in October.
Lowa To Appoint Alexander Nicolai CEO
Lowa said that effective January 1, 2019, Alexander Nicolai will assume leadership of the Lowa’s operative business activities as the new chief executive officer. After heading Lowa for more than 25 years, Werner Riethmann will gradually begin to withdraw from daily business operations next year.
Nike Earns Ad Age’s Marketer of the Year
Nike earned Ad Age’s 2018 Marketer of the Year for its Just Do It campaign starring Colin Kaepernick and how it sparked conversations.
FDRA Applauds Trade War Ceasefire
The Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) applauded the move by the Trump administration to suspend new trade tariffs.

NRF Welcomes Delay Of January 2019 Tariff Increase
The National Retail Federation praised the Trump administration’s decision to hold off on tariff increases that were set to take effect January 2019.
Vans Inks Global Partnership With Michael February
Vans announced South African pro surfer Michael February’s global Vans footwear and apparel partnership.

Aisle Talk Week of November 26
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including analysis from The Running Event (TRE), which shows that the industry is flying high once again after a couple of years of declining sales in the run specialty channel.

Performance Running Footwear Sales Rebound with Strength in Run Specialty Channel
As another strong running community gathering at The Running Event (TRE) comes to a close this week the industry is flying high once again after a couple of years of declining sales in the run specialty channel.
Sears Secures Court Approval For Additional $350 Million Loan
Sears won court approval for $350 million in bankruptcy financing that will keep the retailer operating through the holiday selling season as it attempts to reorganize.
LL Bean Family Members Donate $4M To Maine Medical Center
Medical Center announced today a gift of $4 million provided by Lisa Gorman and the children of L.L. Bean Chairman Emeritus Leon Gorman and their spouses. In recognition of the gift, the planned Congress St. building lobby will be named after the late Leon Gorman.
New Balance To Sign Kawhi Leonard
New Balance, in another major step in its return to basketball, has signed Kawhi Leonard, the star forward for the Toronto Raptors, to an endorsement deal.
AAFA’s 2019 American Image Awards Honorees Include Birkenstock, United Legwear
The American Apparel & Footwear Association’s 2019 AAFA American Image Awards honorees include United Legwear & Apparel, a joint venture partner of Puma and licensee of Skechers and Champion; as well as Birkenstock.

Spartan Launches Trail Events
With the growing sport of trail running attracting more than 9.1 million annual U.S. participants, Spartan, the world’s largest obstacle course race (OCR) and endurance brand, plans to expand its fitness footprint with the launch of a new race product, “Spartan Trail.” The new trail running series, combines a classic approach to trail running with the Spartan ethos.

Asics America Appoints Sean Mannion As VP Of Sales
Asics America Corp. has appointed Sean Mannion, formerly at Under Armour, as VP of sales. His last position at Under Armour was general manager and senior director of sales, managing footwear, apparel and accessories in the sporting goods, mall and family retail channels.