SGB Update Apparel

The Carlyle Group Partners With END.
The Carlyle Group has acquired a majority stake in luxury, streetwear and sportswear retailer END. The stake is being acquired from founders Christiaan Ashworth and John Parker, who will retain a significant minority stake and remain co-CEOs.

USTA, ITA Enter Strategic Alliance To Elevate College Tennis
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) have entered into a new strategic alliance that formalizes the two organizations’ ongoing collaboration to strengthen and elevate collegiate tennis.

Nordstrom’s Debt Ratings Upgraded To Stable
S&P Global Ratings revised the debt ratings outlook on Nordstrom to stable from negative reflecting its belief that the retailer will demonstrate sequential recovery in operating performance this year, generating more than $1 billion in operating cash flow.

Fanatics, NFL To Launch Amazon Storefront
Fanatics, which operates the NFL Shop online store, in a partnership with the NFL is developing an NFL Shop “storefront” on the Amazon platform, marking the first time Fanatics will sell its products on Amazon. Currently, customers can shop all of the expanded selection at Amazon.com/nfl.

Walmart’s Former Sports & Fitness GM Joins Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. hired Jake Griffith, most recently general manager for Sports & Fitness at Walmart, as vice president, product management.

Omega Sports Files For Bankruptcy
Omega Sports Inc., based in Greensboro, NC, filed a bankruptcy petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Western District Of North Carolina.

PGA Show Connects Set For Mid-April
PGA Golf Exhibitions announced its first seasonal event of the PGA Show Connects 365-digital platform; the “PGA Show Connects Spring Kick-Off,” which will be held online April 14 at Virtual.PGAShow.com.

RYU Apparel Agrees To Acquire Kosan Travel Apparel
RYU Apparel Inc. entered into an agreement to acquire Kosan Travel Company Ltd., a British Columbia-based travel apparel and accessories maker.

JCPenney Adds Swimwear And Activewear Brands
JCPenney said it is introducing three new women’s swimwear brands, Mynah, Decree and Sonnet Shores, and adding “new selections” from Champion and Puma to support its activewear offerings.

Report: Nike To Stop Selling To Six Additional Wholesale Accounts
Williams Trading’s analyst, Sam Poser, in a note stated that proprietary checks confirm that Nike will be closing six additional wholesale accounts: DSW, Urban Outfitters, Shoe Show, Dunham’s Sports, Olympia Sports and Big Five.

Under Armour Closes Store In Madison, WI
Under Armour has closed its Brand House location in Madison, WI.

Asics Selects Four Startups For Accelerator
Asics selected four startups’ collaboration proposals at its demo day, based on vision and feasibility. The theme for applications for the program was “Sound Mind, Sound Body.”

Upward Trend In Baseball Participation Takes A Hit During COVID-19 Year
The COVID-19 pandemic hit as baseball participation was on the upswing, according to research conducted by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). Initial data to NSGA from 2020 shows overall participation at 11.7 million, which was a 4.5 percent decline from nearly 12.3 million in 2019.

Scheels To Open In Colorado Springs On Saturday
Scheels Sporting Goods will be opening its second store in Colorado in Colorado Springs on Saturday, March 27.

RYU Apparel Partners With NFL Alumni Academy
RYU Apparel Inc. signed a two-year agreement to become the official tailored urban athletic apparel of the NFL Alumni Academy.