
VF Reports Better-Than-Expected Fourth Quarter
VF Corp. reported better-than-expected results in the fourth quarter as revenue increased 12 percent, or 10 percent currency neutral, driven by broad-based strength across VF’s international and direct-to-consumer platforms, Outdoor & Action Sports coalition and Workwear businesses. On a currency-neutral basis, Vans’ global sales soared 35 percent, The North Face added 6 percent and Timberland increased 8 percent
New Balance Partners With Wellness Workdays
Wellness Workdays, a leading provider of corporate wellness programs, has been selected by New Balance to implement the next phase of the company’s corporate wellness initiative.
REI Co-op Again Makes Fortune 100 Best Companies To Work For List
For the 21st consecutive year, REI was recognized as one of the nation’s top employers, ranking 43 on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.
Billabong Sets Shareholder Vote For Merger
Billabong International Limited said it will hold a shareholder meeting on March 28 to vote on its merger with Boardriders Inc.

Amer Sports Adds Leadership In Team Sports And Outdoor Sales
Amer Sports Corp. promoted Dave Marrinan to national sales director, Team Sports, and Jon Hanson to national sales director, Outdoor.

FGL Sports Q4 Boosted By Chilly Winter
FGL Sports marked a return to mid-single digit comp growth in the fourth quarter with the boost of chilly Winter. Canadian Tire Corp, its parent, also indicated it acquired Sher-Wood Athletics as part of an overall effort by the company to increase its number of owned brands and appointed TJ Flood as president, FGL Sports.
L.L. Bean Sued For Removing Lifetime Return Policy
A customer has filed a lawsuit against L.L. Bean for ending its unlimited-return policy.
FGL Sports’ Q4 Sales Climb 5.5 Percent
Canadian Tire reported that sales at FGL Sports were up 5.5 percent overall and 5.8 percent on a same-store basis in the fourth quarter ended December 30.

Dick’s Celebrates Olympic Contenders
SGB reached out to Ryan Eckel, VP of Brand at Dick’s Sporting Goods, to discuss the inspiration behind the Contenders program, which allows U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls to work in Dick’s locations to help support their dreams. Twelve participants in the retailer’s Contenders program are participating in PyeongChang.

Shimano’s Cycling Sales Regain Momentum
Shimano saw sales in its Bicycle Components segment returned to double-digit growth in the fourth quarter while showing modest gains in its Fishing Tackle segment.

Asics America Widens Q4 Loss
Asics America widened its loss in the fourth quarter but saw earnings improve significantly in the full year. Sales in the region slid 7.2 percent in the quarter.
Swiftwick Pairs With Backbone Media
Tennessee-based sock company Swiftwick announced it is teaming up with Backbone Media to drive its public relations.
Moody’s Downgrades Toms Shoes Debt Ratings
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the corporate family rating (CFR) and senior secured first lien term loan rating for Toms Shoes, LLC , each to Caa3 from Caa2.
Volcom’s Revenues Slide 4.7 Percent In 2017
Kering reported that Volcom recorded €230 million in revenue in 2017, down 4.7 percent as reported and down 3.2 percent at constant exchange rates.
January Retail Sales Climb 5.4 Percent
An improving economy fueled a healthy 5.4 percent increase in retail sales year-over-year, the National Retail Federation said. Among sectors, sporting goods stores showed the only year-over-year decrease, down 5.9 percent.