Alibaba Group launched an initiative to streamline IP-related communications with brands at its inaugural Rights Holders Collaboration Summit.

Duluth Holdings Inc., which raised approximately $86 million in an initial public offering last fall, opened its eleventh store nationwide and its first in Nebraska on July 7.

GoPro appointed Lauren Zalaznick to its board of directors, effective immediately. Zalaznick  is an award-winning TV and entertainment luminary, and will be the first female member of the GoPro board.

Green Bay Packers legend Paul Horning added his name to the long list of former football players suing Riddell over concussion issues, The New York Times reported.

Greenpeace ranked Nike and Li-Ning at the bottom of a list apparel brands that failed to perform on pledges to eliminate toxic chemicals from their supply chains by 2020.

Hydro Flask sales grew a better-than-expected 22 percent to reach $14.4 million in the fiscal first quarter ended May 31, 2016 according to its new parent company, Helen of Troy Limited.

MBLM, the Brand Intimacy Agency, reported that Nike was the top most intimate brand in the apparel industry in its annual ranking for 2015. Other brands in the Top 10 are: Levi’s, Under Armour, Adidas, Louis Vuitton, H&M, and Puma.

Nike and Adidas, in a rare collaboration, will sponsor the Champ2016 International Gay and Lesbian Football Association World Championship, which will be held in Portland from August 6 – 13.

Pacific Cycle Inc. of Madison, WI, is recalling about 217,600 Instep and Schwinn swivel wheel jogging strollers because their front wheel could detach and pose a crash or fall hazard.

Parts & Labor, a new snowboard specialty trade show, will mark its inaugural show in Denver, January 27-29, 2017.

The Buckle Inc. reported comparable store sales for the five-week period ended July 2, 2016 decreased 10.6 percent

The NBA said Cleveland Cavaliers merchandise regained its position as the best selling in the league, while Warriors star Stephen Curry remains the top selling jersey.

The U.S. Trade Representative office granted duty-free status to sports bags and backpacks produced in least-developed and AGOA countries, noted the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

Zumiez Inc. reported total net sales for the five-week period ended July 2, 2016 decreased 0.6 percent.

W. L. Gore & Associates plans to offer non-PFC-based DWR technologies just six months after publishing a research report suggesting such technologies may release more toxins into the environment than its existing PFC-based treatments.

Photo courtesy Hydro Flask