Wedbush Lifts Rating On Nike On Potential NA Return To Growth
Wedbush upgraded Nike to “Outperform” from “Neutral” due to its expectation that margins should start improving by its spring (May 2018) quarter and greater confidence in a return to growth in North America in its fiscal year ended May 31, 2019.
Aisle Talk, Week Of January 15
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Telsey Advisory Group Upgrades Foot Locker
Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) upgraded Foot Locker to “Outperform” as the investment boutique expects the sneaker chain’s comps can turn positive as a strong lineup of product launches arrives.
Sweatcoin Secures Funding
Sweatcoin, a free smartphone app that pays people to be physically active, said it has secured $5.7 million in funding. The company said it has been the most downloaded app in the health and fitness category in the U.S. and U.K. since September 2017.
SSI Data Introduces Direct Integration Tool For CAM Commerce’s RetailSTAR POS System
SSI Data, in coordination with leading POS system vendor CAM Commerce Solutions, announced a direct connection tool for retailers utilizing the RetailSTAR POS point-of-sale software system. This tool is the latest addition to an ongoing SSI Data initiative to improve and simplify POS data reporting for partner retailers.
Study: Repeated Hits To Head, Not Only Concussions, Can Cause CTE
A study published online in Brain, a journal of neurology, finds that repetitive hits to the head that don’t lead to concussions – meaning no loss of consciousness or other symptoms that can include headaches, dizziness, vision problems or confusion – cause CTE.
S&P Downgrades Sears’ Corporate Credit Rating
Standard & Poors Corp. lowered its corporate credit rating on Sears to ‘CCC-‘ from ‘CCC’ to reflect its view of “potential transactions as distressed because its believe lenders would receive less than the original promise.” The outlook is negative.
CES 2018: Sports Tech’s Highlights
Artificial intelligence, sensors embedded in apparel, the quantified self and gamification were some underlying themes across the sports and fitness-related products that landed at CES 2018. Black Box VR, Garmin, Peloton, Myant, L’Oreal and Sony were among the brands earning some hype.
Nike Lab In Downtown Manhattan Sued For Noise Complaints
A Soho condo has filed a lawsuit against Nike for noise emanating from promotional events at its Nike Lab store on 22 Mercer St.
Nike Takes Steps Toward 100 Percent Renewable Energy In North America
Nike announced that it has signed its second major wind contract with Avangrid Renewables — this time for 86 megawatts of Texas wind power.
PGA Tour Superstore Achieves Record Year
PGA Tour Superstore announced the company’s 2017 performance of a 15 percent comp store sales growth.
Wigwam Selects Inside|Out Communications
Wigwam Mills Inc., the family owned maker of premium, made-in-the-USA socks since 1905, announced that Colorado-based Inside|Out Communications will handle its global media and brand communications for the Peak 2 Pub, Rod & Rifle, Lifestyle/Classics and the all new Work Line categories.
Darby Communications Announces 2018 Stand Up Initiative Partners
In 2018 Darby will partner with several organizations from North Carolina, including Asheville GreenWorks, Friends of Big Ivy, MountainTrue and Friends of the Smokies, in an effort to heighten awareness and make lasting, positive impacts on the environment.
Amazon Names 20 “Finalist” Cities For Second Headquarters
Amazon announced it has chosen the following 20 metropolitan areas to potentially host HQ2, the company’s second headquarters in North America, as it moves to the next phase of the process.
Activist Investors Urge Changes At Genesco
In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Legion Partners Asset Management LLC and 4010 Capital LLC said they now own a combined 5.3 percent stake in Genesco and stated they made the acquisition because they Genesco’s shares are ““undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity.”
