May Retail Sales Up 5.6 Percent Over Last Year
May retail sales increased 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted over April and 5.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year as a growing economy prompted consumers to continue to spend, the National Retail Federation said Thursday. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.

Adidas, Nike Again Dominate World Cup
With FIFA World Cup 2018 starting in Russia, Adidas is sponsoring 12 of the 32 teams, a slight edge over Nike, at 10. Puma has four teams, New Balance has two and Umbro has one team, Peru.
Academy Sports Opens New Store In Columbus, GA
The store is approximately 63,000 square feet and brings approximately 100 new jobs to the community.

Clarus Eyes Explosive Growth In Climbing Participation
Citing the rapid expansion globally in climbing gyms already and a huge boost expected by climbing becoming an Olympic sport for the 2020 games, John Walbrecht, president of Clarus Corp., the parent of Black Diamond (BD), sees the appeal of climbing expanding by leaps and bounds in the years ahead.
Adidas Soccer Signs Paulo Dybala
Adidas Soccer revealed the signing of Argentina and Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
Point6 Announces Two New Sales Reps
Point6, the Steamboat, CO-based, family-owned manufacturer of premium merino wool socks, has appointed two new representatives to manage sales and retailer relations in key territories.
Boise State Athletics Extends Deal With Nike
Boise State and Nike have agreed to a six-year contract extension valued at an average of more than $2 million per year, Director of Athletics Curt Apsey announced.
New Director Of Sales And Merchandising For Rider And Cartago
Grendene USA, the U.S. distributor for sandal brands Rider, Ipanema, Grendha, Zaxy and Cartago, announced that Kelly Schmidt has joined the company as the director of sales and merchandising for Rider and Cartago.
Vasque Announces Domestic Sales Agency Of The Year
Vasque announced the company’s domestic sales agency of the year and global distributor of the year on the eve of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance tradeshow in Knoxville, TN this week.

Crocs Sees Sustainable Turnaround This Time
At the Stifel Cross Sector Insight Conference in Boston, Andrew Rees, president and CEO of Crocs Inc., said he understands the “hesitation” some investors may have given the brand’s ups and downs over the years. But he spent much of the session driving home the strategies that have the brand now “very much focused on sustainable growth.”
Modell’s Opens 9th Brooklyn Store
Modell’s Sporting Goods opened the company’s 9th Brooklyn location on Kings Highway in Sheepshead Bay. This will bring Modell’s total store count to 157 locations.
Matthew Rubel Joins PJ Solomon
PJ Solomon, the investment banking advisory firm, announced the appointment of Matthew Rubel as a senior advisor to the firm. Rubin was the former CEO of Varsity Brands and Collective Brands.
Canadian Tire Prices Aggregate C$650 Million Notes Offering
Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd. announced the pricing of a private placement offering of C$650 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured medium term notes.
Nike Withdraws Iran World Cup Team’s Boots Due To Sanctions
Nike confirmed Monday the company had stopped supplying Iran’s football team with boots ahead of the World Cup due to sanctions.
Asics Publishes 2017 Sustainability Report, Sets 2030 Goals
Asics set ambitious new targets for 2030, including reducing the carbon footprint of the company’s own operations by 33 percent And cutting supply chain carbon emissions by 55 percent of 2015 levels.