Denver Delivers Again At ORSM
In its second Outdoor Retailer show, Denver delivered steady traffic, busy booths and plenty of energy at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, according to interviews with a number of exhibitors and a few retailers. A change of scenery after 20 years in Salt Lake City is also clearly being welcomed by many attendees, but the upbeat moods appear to underscore a healthier industry.
Aisle Talk Week of July 30
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Shimano releasing the company’s earnings for the first half of 2018.
July Retail Jobs Increase 66,000 Over 2017
Retail industry employment in July increased by 66,000 jobs unadjusted over the same time last year showing on-going industry growth, the National Retail Federation said Friday.
Thorlo Reinforces Brand Guarantee
Thorlo will place “Guaranteed for Your Lifetime” on the company’s packaging, effective September 1.
NRF Calls Tariffs “Doubling Down” On Harm To U.S. Consumers And Workers
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said, “Tariffs are an unacceptable gamble with the U.S. economy and the stakes continue to rise with no end in sight.”
Charlesbank Capital Acquires Rockport; Gregg Ribatt Becomes CEO
Charlesbank Capital Partners announced that the group has acquired the assets of The Rockport Group in bankruptcy proceedings.
Mitre Replaces Nike As FA Cup Ball Supplier
The English Football Association has entered into a partnership with British football equipment manufacturer Mitre. Mitre replaces Nike.
Acushnet’s Raises Revenue Outlook As Growth Accelerates In Q2
Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist and Footjoy, lifted revenue guidance for the year after reporting a return to double-digit growth in the second quarter.
Fitbit CEO: Versa Gives Retailers ‘Counterbalance To Apple’
For the second consecutive quarter, Fitbit Inc.’s Versa delivered a significant revenue boost for the wearables company. The Versa, which sold out in the quarter ended June 30, helped Fitbit lift smartwatch sales to 55 percent of the company’s 2.7 million total of devices sold in Q2, up from 30 percent in Q1.
Leonardo DiCaprio Invests In Sustainable Footwear Brand Allbirds
Allbirds announced that that Academy Award-winning actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio has become the company’s latest investor.
Can Champion Offset Loss Of Target Mega-Deal?
Shares of HanesBrands fell $4.30, or 19.3 percent, to $17.96 on Wednesday after management said the wildly-successful C9 by Champion line would be exiting Target once the contract expires in January 2020. Gerald W. Evans Jr., Hanesbrands CEO, said the brand is close to maturity on Target’s selling floors and the company was sticking to its target for Champion’s global sales to reach over $2 billion by 2022.
Weakness In Camping, Water Sports Sinks Big 5 Sporting Goods’ Q2
Poor weather around the country stymied the sales of camping and water sports products at Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. stores in the back half of the second quarter, driving down income and revenue for the company during the period.
Compass Diversified Holdings Posts Profit In Q2
Cash Flow for the second quarter of 2018 reflects year-over-year earnings increases at the company’s Advanced Circuits, Arnold Magnetics, Clean Earth and Manitoba Harvest businesses, offset by declines at the company’s Liberty, ErgoBaby and 5.11 businesses.
Adidas Settles For $8 Million In Rockport Dispute
Adidas AG has agreed to settle the company’s $54 million claim in the bankruptcy case of Rockport for $8 million.
REI To Open Grand Rapids Store
In spring 2019, outdoor co-op REI will open a new store in Grand Rapids, MI, the state’s second-largest city. With close proximity to the Grand River, Lake Michigan and the Huron-Manistee National Forests, Grand Rapids is Western Michigan’s hub for outdoor recreation.
