SGB Update Apparel
Swany America Appoints Director of Marketing and Creative
Adam Weitzel brings nearly a decade of experience in the outdoor industry. He has held key in-house marketing positions at Smartwool and Exxel Outdoors while also creating content campaigns in the agency world
Mechanix Wear Protective Apparel Acquires Kinco to Broaden Portfolio
Kinco manufactures and distributes gloves for farm, outdoor, and industrial use, with an enthusiast following in the ski and snowboard industry. This transaction represents the second add-on acquisition for the Mechanix Wear platform, which previously acquired Chicago Protective Apparel.
Report: Dick’s SG Seeking Orland Park Financial Support for New House of Sports Project
The sporting goods retailer is looking to convert a 200,000-square-foot former Sears anchor space at the Orland Square shopping center, in a Chicago suburb, which has been empty since 2018.
Eastside Golf Expands Into Australia and New Zealand with New Distribution Deal
The brand’s regional debut includes a soft launch of its Core collection. TheFall 2025 collection will be its first full seasonal prebook in the market, supported by a curated group of golf, streetwear and lifestyle retailers.
JD Sports Opens First Canadian Flagship
The Robson Street store is JD’s first exterior street-front location in Canada and features the largest LED display in JD’s Canadian footprint, a DJ booth, and shop-in-shops for Nike, New Balance and Adidas brands.
Dick’s SG Sees Strong Response to Foot Locker Debt Exchange Offer
The retailer reported that 92.5 percent of Foot Locker’s note holders have agreed to exchange their debt for Dick’s notes as part of an early tender offer. The debt swap supports the retailer’s acquisition of Foot Locker.
Nike Board Member Plans to Retire from Board
Cathleen Benko, a former leader in Deloitte’s “Digital Giants” practice, plans to retire as a member of Nike’s Board of Directors, effective as of the company’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders.
Fanatics Establishes Operations in the Middle East
The Middle East office in Doha, Qatar will serve as a hub for operations across the Fanatics enterprise and host members from various departments.
Orvis Cites Tariffs in Latest Layoff Talk
The company plans to lay off 4 percent of its workforce, or at least 50 employees, by the end of the year due to the impact of tariffs. Orvis President Simon Perkins said the “Tariffs disrupted our business model in ways we haven’t faced before and have exposed a clear path to solidifying our long-term future.”
Fabletics Appoints President and Chief Marketing Officer
The operater over 100 stores, announced the expansion of Meera Bhatia’s role from chief operating officer to president and chief operating officer and the promotion of Carly Gomez to chief marketing officer.
Tailored Brands Appoints New Chief Executive Officer
John Tighe will become its new CE) and will join the Board of Directors, effective August 5, 2025. Peter Sachse will transition from his current role as CEO to become executive chairman of the company’s Board.
Amer Sports Appoints New Head of Greater China
Jeffery Ma joins the company from his role as CEO of Zhongqiao Sports, a sporting goods company in China. He has previously held executive positions at Topsports, the largest sporting goods retailer in China, and at Adidas.
S&S Activewear’s Debt Outlook Lowered to Negative on Promotional Industry Softness
S&P Global Rating reduced its outlook on S&S Activewear to negative as the imprintable apparel distributor has underperformed the rating agency’s EBITDA and free operating cash flow (FOCF) expectations since the acquisition of Alphabroder in the second half of 2024, due largely to continued softness in the promotional products industry.
Fleet Feet Franchise Opens Third Store in Central Texas
The store located in Leander marks the third store in Central Texas operated by franchise owner Mark King. He also operates stores in Georgetown and Round Rock, TX, respectively.
Switchback Spring Posts Healthy Debut; Heads to New Orleans in 2026
Switchback Spring, the nascent outdoor show’s first standalone event, was held this week in Nashville, TN, from June 16 to 18, drawing 194 brands, 290 retailers, and 1,286 attendees. For 2026, show organizers announced that the event will be held in New Orleans.
