REI Sees Modest Profit Gain in 2017, Sets New Sustainability Standards For Vendors
REI reported a 3.1 percent gain in operating earnings in 2017 on improving gross margins and record sales. The co-op also ramped up sustainability efforts by announcing new rigorous standards that will impact every brand the co-op sells.
Billabong’s Merger With Boardriders Approved By Court
Billabong International Limited announced that the Federal Court of Australia confirmed its sale to Boardriders.
REI Sets New Sustainability Standards For Suppliers
To elevate sustainability across the outdoor and retail industries, REI Co-op debuted product sustainability standards that apply to each of the more than 1,000 brands sold at the co-op.
Adidas To Close Stores In Online Shift
Adidas is planning to close stores in coming years as the company shifts investments to online operations, Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted told the Financial Times.
REI Posts Record Sales In 2017
REI, celebrating its 80th year, reported sales of $2.62 billion in 2017, a gain of 2.3 percent from $2.56 billion in 2016. The co-op also welcomed nearly 1 million new members and reinvested nearly 70 percent of profits into outdoor communities in 2017.
Canadian Tire Introduces Triangle Rewards
Later this spring, Canadian Tire, the parent of Sport Chek, will evolve the company’s iconic loyalty program, Canadian Tire Money, with the introduction of Triangle Rewards.
Champion Opens First U.S. Store
Champion Athleticwear opened the company’s first full-price store, in Los Angeles at 123 South La Brea Avenue.
Decathlon Launches First U.S. Lab Store In San Francisco
Decathlon USA hosted the company’s official grand opening event at its new U.S. lab store in San Francisco.
Where And When Will The Trade War End?
President Trump this week threatened additional tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting sharp criticism from outdoor and sporting goods brands that might not be directly impacted but generally view trade wars as “so last generation,” according to Jeff Turner of Kokatat.
What Can JD Sports Bring To U.S. Sneaker Retailing?
While British retailers generally have a poor track record finding success in the U.S. retail marketplace, JD has the potential to create a strong number two beyond Foot Locker in U.S. sneaker retailing with its pending acquisition of Finish Line. That’s at least according to a few analysts in the U.K. who closely follow JD.
Retail 10-K Round-Up For 2017
A scan of just-released 10-K filings shows Under Armour’s sales fell sharply at both Dick’s Sporting Goods and Hibbett Sports in 2017, Adidas rebounded at Hibbett, Nike continued to dominate open-to-buys for Foot Locker and more insights into vendor allocations.
Aisle Talk Week Of April 2
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Trump Proposes $100 Billion In New Tariffs On Chinese Goods
President Donald Trump threatened to slap an additional $100 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods. In response, China warned it would fight back “at any cost” with fresh trade measures if the U.S. continues on its path of protectionism.
Decathlon Sets Opening Date For First Store In Canada
Decathlon will open the company’s first Canadian store on Saturday, April 21, at Mail Champlain in Brossard, just outside of Montreal.
Kitbow Cycling Apparel Appoints Blum and Herrick To The Board
Industry veterans Paul Blum and Andrew Herrick have joined the board of privately-held Kitsbow Cycling Apparel.
