Levi Strauss Q4 Revenues Climb 22 Percent
Levi Strauss & Co. reported sales in the fourth quarter ended November 28 grew 22 percent versus Q4 2020 and gained 7 percent versus Q4 2019. Earnings and sales were slightly ahead of Wall Street targets.
Lids Parent Raises $250M
Private equity holding company Ames Watson announced it has raised $250 million dollars in a new round of funding as the company continues to expand. The funding was raised through Ames’ affiliate, Lids, issuance of a Term B private loan. Ames Watson expects to use this capital for add-on acquisitions and investments for Lids and for separate stand-alone control and passive investments.
Signa Sports’ Sales Expand 24 Percent In Fiscal Year
Signa Sports United (SSU), the Berlin-based sports e-commerce and technology platform, reported sales grew 10 percent in the fourth quarter and 24 percent in the fiscal year ended September 30.
Slinger Signs Exclusive Tennis Ball Partnership Agreement With Dunlop
Slinger announced a new four-year tennis ball partnership with Dunlop. Dunlop becomes the official ball provider for Slinger across the global tennis market.
Decathlon Announces New CEO
Decathlon appointed Barbara Martin Coppola as chief executive officer. She succeeds Michel Aballea, in office since 2015. This appointment is effective mid-March 2022.
Reebok To Layoff 150 Employees As ABG Acquisition Nears Completion
According to a report in The Boston Globe, Reebok will lay off about 150 employees, mainly at its Boston headquarters. The layoffs will take effect around February 28, when its acquisition by Authentic Brands Group (ABG) is scheduled to close.
Ellsworth Cycling Announces Tony Ellsworth’s Return
Ellsworth Cycling, LLC (dba “Ellsworth Bikes”), a manufacturer of mountain bikes for more than 30 years, announced it signed an agreement with its founder, Tony Ellsworth, to return to the company as an equal partner and as its chief design officer.
Enduro Bearings Hires Ambassador & Events Program Manager
Enduro Bearings, a manufacturer of cycling bearings and bearing-related components, announced it had hired Kurt Stockton as its ambassadors and events program manager.
NPD Report: Athletic Footwear Revenues Expand 20 Percent In 2021
Annual revenue for the U.S. athletic footwear market grew by about 20 percent versus 2020, although growth slowed to mid-single-digits in the fourth quarter due to poor execution, supply chain delays, the end of stimulus payments, and a lack of newness in the market, according to The NPD Group.
EBay Launches Authentication For Trading Cards
EBay announced the launch of its Authenticity Guarantee service for trading cards.
Academy Sports To Restart New Store Growth In 2022, Including First Stores In Virginia And West Virginia
Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc. announced that it would open at least eight new stores in 2022 to fill in specific existing markets in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Texas and expand its Virginia and West Virginia footprint.
Former Therabody VP Joins Styku As Chief Revenue Officer
Styku announced the appointment of Nicholas Trosko as its new chief revenue officer.
Under Armour Replaces Reebok As Footwear Partner For UFC
Under Armour Inc.’s Project Rock brand featuring former pro wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has replaced Reebok as the official footwear partner of UFC, the mixed martial arts organization.
Nike Appoints SNKRS VP To Lead New Virtual Studios Division
Nike announced it had appointed Ron Faris as the VP of its SNKRS app and lead its Virtual Studios, a new division supporting Nike’s latest push into the metaverse.
KKR Acquires Accell For $1.77BN
A consortium led by buyout firm and Teslin Alpine Acquisition has agreed to a takeover of Accell Group that values the maker of bike brands, including Raleigh, Haibike, Ghost, Koga, Sparta, and Batavus at Є1.56 billion ($1.77 billion).
