Retail Sales Grew 3.8 Percent in September; Sporting Goods Trailing Market
The U.S. Census Bureau said overall retail sales in September were up 0.7 percent from August and up 3.8 percent year-over-year. The National Retail Federation (NRF) said the gains have moderated as consumers face continued pressures from the slowed economy.
EXEC: Adidas Ups Full-Year Guidance on Improved Preliminary Q3 Results
Adidas now expects full-year 2023 currency-neutral revenues to decline at a low-single-digit rate in 2023 compared to its previous forecast of a mid-single-digit decline. An operating loss of around €100 million is now forecast, compared to its previous estimates for a loss of €450 million for the year.
UYN Opens Academy for Research and Engineering
Italy’s Unleash Your Nature (UYN) a Trerè Innovation company, officially opened its 38,000-square-foot Academy for Research and Engineering in Apparel and Sport (AREAS) adjacent to its global headquarters in Asola.
Hybrid Apparel Appoints President, Hybrid Digital
Cypress, CA-based Hybrid Apparel hired Stephen Teglas as president of Hybrid Digital, the company’s print-on-demand apparel business.
G-Form Hires Chief Sales Officer
G-Form hired Jade Larrabee as chief sales officer at the end of October. Larrabee has held key sales roles at Fanatics, Under Armour and Nike.
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Acquires Top Germany Sports Retailer
Frasers Group plc, the parent company of UK-based sports retailer Sports Direct, entered into a binding agreement with Signa Retail Department Store Holding GmbH to acquire SportScheck, one of the top sports retailers in Germany.
Gildan to Close Salisbury Factory
Gildan Activewear plans to close its factory on Heilig Road in the Charlotte, NC, suburb of Salisbury, affecting 258 employees, according to a WARN notice first reported by the Salisbury Post.
Academy Sports to Open in Jefferson City
Academy Sports + Outdoors opened a store in Jefferson City, its eleventh location in Missouri, at 739 Stoneridge Parkway.
Topgolf Sets Opening For St. Louis-Midtown Location
Topgolf is poised to open its St. Louis-Midtown venue on October 20 at 3201 Chouteau Avenue; this will be Missouri’s second Topgolf venue in addition to Chesterfield.
Fanatics’ Debt Ratings Outlook Downgraded
S&P Global Ratings revised its debt ratings outlook on Fanatics Holdings, Inc. after the sports fan retailing giant reported meaningful margin deterioration through the first half of fiscal 2023 amid slowing consumer demand and cost pressures partly tied to strategic investments. Fanatics Commerce’s sales were approximately flat in the second quarter while Lids “experienced top line and bottom line pressures.”
Peloton Expands Into Austria
Peloton announced its expansion into Austria, its fifth market outside the U.S., through an alliance with Sport-Tiedje and Amazon.
Signa Sports’ Largest Shareholder Terminates Equity Commitment Letter
Signa Sports United N.V., which in early October announced plans to delist its shares from the NYSE, said it had received a termination notice concerning the unconditional Equity Commitment Letter from Signa Holding GmbH, an affiliate of the company’s largest shareholder Signa International Sports Holding GmbH.
EXEC: Vista Outdoor Cuts Fiscal Year Outlook After Q2 Weakness
Along with the sale of its Sporting Products business to Czechoslovak Group. (CSG), Vista Outdoor announced that it was slashing its full-year guidance, largely due to weakness at its Outdoor Products segment.
SFIA Launches Super Regionals Series
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association is launching a Super Regional Series in November, offering members, partners and industry leaders the opportunity to come together to discuss business insights and topics driving today’s sporting goods and fitness environment.
New Era Appoints General Manager for North America
New Era Cap LLC has hired Steve Gallo, most recently president of the recovery footwear brand Oofos, as general manager for North America after an extensive global search.
