Aisle Talk, Week Of March 27
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Gander Mountain Files Stalking Horse Bid Led By Liquidators
Gander Mountain announced that it has filed a stalking horse bid by a joint venture comprised of Gordon Brothers and Hilco Merchant Resources, two firms specializing in liquidations, to purchase substantially all of its assets.
Stage Stores To Acquire Gordmans
Michael Glazer, president and chief executive officer of Stage commented, “We believe the Gordmans business model offers great potential and, without the burden of a high level of debt, unprofitable locations and an oversized infrastructure, we expect the Gordmans business will be accretive to our earnings.”
Puma Partners With Cramer On Shoe Packaging
Said Kellie Ambrose, marketing manager at Puma, “Through our partnership with Cramer, we invented an exclusive packaging that doubled as an exclusive brand experience.”
PAC Study Shows Slight Increase In Activity Levels
According to The 2017 Physical Activity Council (PAC) Participation Report, several activities saw moderate increase including outdoor, team, and fitness categories. These gains, especially among those who participate three times a week or more, contributed to the 0.2 percent decline in inactivity among Americans ages 6 and older.
VF Corp. Forecasts 4-To-6 Percent Annual Growth Through 2021
At Vans, sales are expected to increase at a CAGR of 8 to 10 percent from 2016 to 2021. North Face expected to see CAGR growth of 6 to 8 percent and Timberland, 4 to 6 percent, over the next five years.
New Suitor Emerges For Cabela’s Bank Operation
Helping support the merger with Bass Pro and Cabela’s, Synovus Financial Corp., a regional bank headquartered in Georgia, has agreed to acquire the financial unit of Cabela’s Inc.
Columbia Sportswear Appoints SVP Of North America DTC
Columbia Sportswear Company named David Lawner senior vice president of North America direct-to-consumer (DTC), elevating him from the interim role he had held since joining the company in October 2016.
Reebok Signs China’s Hottest Grandpa
Wang Deshun, nicknamed “China’s Hottest Grandpa,” has become the latest face of Reebok’s “Be More Human” campaign.
L.L.Bean Picks New Advertising Agency
L.L.Bean appointed The VIA Agency to become its agency of record. The Maine-based firm will handle its promotions and advertising campaign.
Keen Signs On As REI Outessa Sponsor
Keen will be offering guided hikes with REI instructors, informational sessions on injury prevention and how to pick the right shoe size for a proper fit on the trail.
Outdoor Retailer Partners With Hotel Reservations Specialist
Outdoor Retailer announced it is partnering with EventSphere to handle hotel reservations for Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and beyond.
Asics Establishes Boston Base
Said Gene McCarthy, president and CEO, Asics America, in an interview with SGB, “Setting up a global hub in Boston allows us to better align with our strategic initiatives and focus on key areas for growth, including our apparel and digital teams.”
Asics Opening Boston Design Hub
The move punctuates the brand’s overall growth strategy, adds to the brand’s presence in Boston to its already existing global digital hub that opened in Spring 2016 and grows its U.S. presence on both coasts: Irvine, CA and Boston, MA.
Puma Offers Leggings Discounts Following United Airlines Controversy
“We fly in our leggings,” the brand tweeted on Tuesday. “Bring your United ticket to any US PUMA store for 20 percent off leggings. Now until April 9. Stay Fly.”
