Houlihan Lokey Hires Nathan Pund
Houlihan Lokey, the investment bank, announced that Nathan Pund has joined the firm as a managing director in the Consumer, Food, & Retail (CFR) Group. He is based in Dallas, TX, and will continue his focus on the active lifestyle, outdoor, and tactical sectors.
Kinsey’s Acquires Pape’s
The Kentucky and Pennsylvania warehouses will operate independently until there is integration to one computer system.
Golf Datatech Releases Study On Amazon’s Impact On Golf Equipment and Apparel
Golf Datatech LLC released a first-of-its-kind Amazon Impact Report; a study that highlights the effect the United States’ largest online retailer is having on the golf equipment and apparel market.
Boot Barn Increases Q3 Guidance On Improved Traffic
Boot Barn Holdings slightly raised its earnings guidance for its fiscal third quarter as same-store sales in the period rose 5.2 percent.
Adidas Resigns John Wall
Adidas has resigned John Wall to a five-year endorsement contract.

Genesco Sees Q4 EPS At Low End Of Guidance
Genesco Inc. reported same store sales decreased 2 percent and earnings are now expected to come in at the lower end of its recent guidance.

Crocs Increases Q4 Guidance
Crocs is increasing its previous fourth quarter revenue guidance from between $180 and $190 million to between $195 and $198 million, which approximates 5 percent growth over the prior year’s fourth quarter revenues of $187.4 million.

Grassroots Fall Connect Show Moving To Denver
The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will be moving its Fall 2018 buying show, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, to Colorado Convention Center in Denver, starting in November. The first expo will take place November 4 to 7.

Billabong And Quiksilver To Create Action Sports Giant
Two companies that have struggled in recent years –Billabong and Boardriders (formerly Quiksilver) – have agreed to merge in hopes of faring better together tackling the brutal action sports marketplace.

Aisle Talk, Week Of January 1
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Sloane Stephens Shifts From Under Armour To Nike
Sloane Stephens, formerly Under Armour’s top female tennis endorser, has signed a deal with Nike.

Billabong To Merge With Quiksilver
The parent of the Quiksilver, DC Shoes and Roxy, B0ardriders Inc., agreed to acquire rival Billabong International Ltd., creating combining two of the largest active sports brands worldwide.
Nike Golf Signs Patrick Reed
Nike Golf added a number of golf ambassadors, including Patrick Reed, the five-time PGA Tour winner.

Wells Fargo Sees Dick’s As Long-Term “Survivor”
Wells Fargo upgraded its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods to “Outperform” in part because it believes the company will ultimately benefit from the industry’s consolidation, much like Best Buy has done in the consumer electronics channel.

Jefferies Downgrades Deckers, Upgrades Genesco, Bullish On Under Armour/Foot Locker
Jefferies lowered its rating on Deckers Outdoor to “Hold” in part due to the stock’s recent run-up in price, upgraded Genesco to “Buy,” and listed Under Armour and Foot Locker among its long-term buys.