VF Corp. And NC State Announce Strategic, Multi-Year Partnership
VF Corporation and North Carolina State University announced a collaborative, strategic partnership that will support student development at NC State and advance apparel and textiles innovation within VF.

L.L.Bean Gives $2 Million To Nonprofit Organizations In 2017
L.L.Bean announced year end approval of its charitable giving program that will allocate $2 million in grants to more than 70 organizations for annual gifts, plus additional funding in smaller grants to dozens more.
Kevin Fedarko, Pete McBride To Speak At The Conservation Alliance Breakfast
Writer Kevin Fedarko and photographer/filmmaker Pete McBride will be the featured speakers at The Conservation Alliance Breakfast at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show.

Sears To ‘Consider All Other Options’ If Refinancing Fails
Sears Holdings Corporation announced it has raised $100 million in new financing and is pursuing an additional $200 million from other counterparties.
Terra Public Relations Hires PR Veteran Lori Crabtree
Jackson Hole-based Terra Public Relations announced Lori Crabtree will be joining the team as account executive.

Skechers Returns As Houston Marathon Sponsor
Skechers Performance, a division of Skechers USA, Inc., returns to Houston, Texas on January 14, 2018 for its fifth year as the official footwear and apparel sponsor of the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon.
Mountain Khakis Lassoes Terra PR For Media Relations
“Terra Public Relations is the PR team to authentically champion the MK story to both endemic and mainstream audiences,” said Jen Taylor, brand manager and director of creative development at Mountain Khakis.

Bass Pro Asking Former Cabela’s Owners/Execs To Donate To Severance Fund
According to a report from the Omaha World-Herald, Johnny Morris, the CEO of Bass Pro, is asking former Cabela’s executives and owners to donate some of the money they earned in the sale to Bass Pro to a severance fund for Cabela’s employees. Morris has pledged to match any donation.
Academy Sports + Outdoors Names Michael Mullican Chief Financial Officer
Academy, Ltd. d/b/a Academy Sports + Outdoors, announced the full time appointment of Michael Mullican as chief financial officer, effective January 10, a position he has held on an interim basis since September 2017.
Real Sociedad To Replace Adidas With Macron
Macron, the Italian sportswear brand, will replace Adidas as kit sponsor of the Spanish soccer club, Real Sociedad, according to a report in the Basque daily newspaper El Diario Vasco.
L.L. Bean Joins The Cotton LEADS program
L.L. Bean has confirmed its commitment to sourcing responsible cotton by joining the Cotton LEADS program. The leading global retailer joins more than 470 program partners.
Nordstrom Lifts EPS Guidance On Improving Holiday Sales
Nordstrom, Inc. announced an increase in its net sales of 2.5 percent and an increase in comparable sales of 1.2 percent for the nine weeks ended December 30. The department store operator lifted its EPS guidance for the year.

Brooks Racks Up Double-Digit Gains In Q4
Brooks Running scored its second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in the fourth quarter, Jim Weber, CEO, wrote on the company’s blog.

SGB Industry Outlook 2018
Nearly 40 active lifestyle industry executives share their thoughts on where we’re headed next. Comments from Brooks, Smartwool, PGA Tour Superstore, United Sports Brands, Fleet Feet, PrimaLoft, The North Face, Osprey Packs, TRX Training, Wilson, Saucony, SKLZ and others.

Susquehanna Downgrades Under Armour Over Discount-Channel Concerns
Believing it’s making the same mistake as Reebok in selling to lower-tier channels, Susquehanna Financial Group lowered its stock rating on Under Armour to “Negative,” which is essentially a sell, from “Neutral.”