Gabe’s Appoints Three New Independent Directors To Board
Gabe’s, an off-price fashion and home retailer, announced the appointments of Bob Cataldo, former Group President of TJX Canada; Lynne Greene, former Group President of The Estée Lauder Companies; and Margaret Mager, former Goldman Sachs Managing Director, as Independent Directors to its Board of Directors.

Hibbett Sports’ Q4 Easily Beats Plan
Hibbett Sports Inc. reported fourth-quarter earnings will come in well above Wall Street’s targets as the retailer showed its first comp gain since the third quarter of 2017.

New Balance Signs FC Nantes
New Balance has agreed to replace Umbro as the kit provider of FC Nantes, the French soccer club, starting from the 2018/19 season.

Gildan Q4 Saved By Printwear Strength, Looks To Merge Printwear/Branded Units
Gildan Activewear reported underlying earnings in the fourth quarter came in at the high end of guidance as robust Printwear sales helped offset rising input costs and weak socks sales in its Branded segment. The company also announced plans to consolidate the Printwear and Branded segments as part of a major realignment for 2018.

Billabong Sees Americas Flattening In Spring Half, Overall Struggles Rally Calls For Merger
Following robust improvement in the first half ended December 31, Billabong International expects the Americas region “to level out in the second half as it cycles tougher comparables and operational improvements.”

Aisle Talk, Week of February 19
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.

Billabong’s Losses Widen In First Half
Billabong, which has agreed to be sold to Boardriders, widened its loss in the first half ended December 31 as ongoing momentum in the Americas region was offset by profit erosion in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Super Retail Group To Acquire Macpac
Super Retail Group Limited announced it will acquire Macpac, which operates 54 stores across Australia and New Zealand, to accelerate its strategy to build the leading adventure outdoors retail business across Australia and New Zealand.
OIA Releases 2018 Agenda, Continues Momentum On Policy Work
The agenda focuses on building on the success of its Close To Home program, continuing to press federal policymakers to support access to America’s public lands and waters, promoting its “balanced trade agenda” in its International Tax and Trade program, and expanding its Climate Change policy program.

Finish Line Upgraded By Buckingham Research
Buckingham Research raised its rating on Finish Line to “Neutral” from “Underperform” in part because of its depressed stock price, healthy balance sheet and expectation that margins should start improving by its back-to-school quarter.

Vans BMX Pro Cup Series Announces 2018 World Tour Schedule
The Vans BMX Pro Cup Series, the world’s leading platform for elite BMX park terrain competition, announced the official 2018 World Tour dates and locations for the upcoming season.

Reebok Appoints Todd Krinsky As General Manager, Reebok Performance Business Unit
Reebok announced the appointment of Todd Krinsky as general manager, Reebok Performance Business Unit. Krinsky will lead this newly created business unit which consolidates Reebok’s Running and Training business units.
L.L.Bean President, CEO to Deliver Dickinson College Commencement Address
Stephen M. Smith, president and CEO of L.L.Bean and Dickinson alumnus, class of 1992, will deliver the college’s Commencement address on Sunday, May 20.
Vans Park Series Announces 2018 Pro Tour Schedule
Vans Park Series, the official park terrain skateboarding World Championships Tour, announced the 2018 VPS Pro Tour schedule to mark another groundbreaking milestone in elite competitive skateboarding.
Camber Outdoors Kicks Off Expanded Camber Exchange Program
Camber Outdoors. the national organization dedicated to achieving equality for all women in the outdoors, announced the continued evolution of its signature Camber Exchange program, including expansion to Canada.