
Recovery The Theme At NYC Marathon Expo
Products supporting recovery for runners dominated many of the offerings at the recent NYC Marathon Expo but an overall message of recovery for the industry was also heard from attending exhibitors. Said Luke Rowe, SVP at CEP, “The bottom was hit and they’re bouncing back.”

Fanatics, Ticketmaster Team Up To Integrate Game Tickets And Sports Merchandise
Fanatics, the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, and Ticketmaster, the global leader in ticketing, on Monday announced a long-term, industry-first partnership that will integrate official verified tickets and official licensed merchandise in the fan shopping experience of both sites.

Nordstrom, Macy’s Stand Out In Disparate Q3 For Department Stores
Department stores are a mixed bag heading into Black Friday and the 2018 Holiday Season, as companies like Nordstrom Inc. and Macy’s raised guidance with hopes of closing out the year on strong footing while J.C. Penney and Dillard’s continued looking for ways to keep from stumbling.
Brooks Running Company Gives Back To High School Programs Across Country
Brooks Running Company has announced the 25 schools that it will give Booster Club grants to this year, helping to buoy high school cross country and track teams and ensure young runners can have an impactful experience with the sport.
Columbia Appoints Troy Sicotte As Mountain Hardwear VP Of Sales
Columbia Sportswear Co. on Monday announced the appointment of Troy Sicotte to serve as vice president of sales, North America for the Mountain Hardwear brand, effective October 22, 2018.

Converse Signs Washington Wizards Forward
Converse has signed Kelly Oubre Jr., forward for the Washington Wizards, to a multi-year footwear and apparel endorsement deal. Oubre is expected to wear Nike footwear on court and Converse footwear and apparel casually.

Shoe Carnival Blasts Past EPS Targets On Robust BTS Selling
Shoe Carnival Inc. significantly raised its earnings guidance for the year after reporting third-quarter results beat plan due to robust back-to-school selling and fatter margins. Same-store sales expanded 4.5 percent with a mid-single-digit increase in both women’s and men’s non-athletic and a low single-digits in adult athletics.

Aisle Talk Week of November 12
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Tony Hawk announcing the launch of D/CAL, a hybrid brand consultancy and creative agency, with Adam Wilson, Jared Prindle and Ryan Maconochie.
MLB To Loosen Color Restrictions On Cleats For 2019
Major League Baseball along with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), announced that a new mutual agreement is in place that will provide players “increased flexibility” with respect to the colors and design of their on-field footwear.

The North Face Opens Lifestyle Concept Store In Williamsburg
The North Face on Friday opened a first of its kind retail experience, The North Face Prototype, in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. This space represents the next phase in the brand’s retail offering with a focus on on a curated customer experience and expansion of its lifestyle business to support explorers on the mountain or in the city.
October Retail Sales Increased 5.6 percent
Retail sales in October increased 0.4 percent over September on a seasonally adjusted basis and were up 5.6 percent year-over-year unadjusted, according to calculations released by the National Retail Federation. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.

SGB Executive Q&A: Scarpa North America CEO Kim Miller
Scarpa North America CEO Kim Miller sat down with SGB recently to discuss a wide range of topics, from the changes he’s seen in the footwear business over a long career to Scarpa’s success as a family-owned boot and shoe maker for 80 years to how the industry can raise its voice on such issues as public lands.
Tony Hawk Establishes Brand Consultancy
Tony Hawk announced the launch of D/CAL, a hybrid brand consultancy and creative agency, with co-founders Adam Wilson (Carhartt, McGarryBowen), Jared Prindle (Tony Hawk Inc., 900 Films), and Ryan Maconochie (Arc, Leo Burnett, Trisect).

Foot Locker To Hold Seventh-Annual Week Of Greatness
Foot Locker announced its highly-anticipated, annual “Week of Greatness” campaign by dropping #BecauseSneakers, a global sneaker anthem.
Nike Announces 10 Percent Increase In Quarterly Dividend
Said Mark Parker, chairman, president and CEO of Nike Inc. “This is our 17th consecutive year of increasing dividend payouts, and combined with the new four-year $15 billion share repurchase program announced this summer, this commitment shows our continued confidence in Nike’s ability to deliver sustainable, profitable, capital-efficient growth over the long-term.”