SGB Update Apparel

Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act
The U.S. Senate voted 73-25 to passed the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, landmark conservation legislation that fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at a level of $900 million every year and addresses the approximately $20 billion maintenance backlog on federal public lands.

RIA Announces Initial Brand Lineup For Kick On-Demand
The Running Industry Association’s (RIA) has announced the initial brand lineup for its virtual buying show, RIA Kick On-Demand. As of Wednesday, June 17, the show will feature over thirty footwear, apparel and accessory brands including Brooks, Asics, Altra, Nike, and Saucony.

Apex Global Brands Shrinks Q1 Loss
Apex Global Brands, the parent of Hi-Tec, Cherokee and Tony Hawk, narrowed its loss in the first quarter despite a revenue decline due to the non-renewal of certain license agreements along with the impacts of COVID-19. The company received an extension of its forbearance agreement with its lenders, including a suspension of interest and principal payments.

Converse Signs First Female Basketball Player
Converse signed Natasha Cloud, the star guard of the Washington Mystics guard. She becomes the first female basketball player to ever ink a deal with the storied athletic brand.

Wigwam Mills Sued By Terminated CEO
Wigwam Mills Inc. has been sued by its former CEO for issues stemming from his April termination from the company.

Dick’s SG Launches Two New Concept Stores
Dick’s Sporting Goods said it will be expanding its nationwide footprint with the opening of two new concept stores – Overtime by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dick’s Sporting Goods Warehouse. With these openings, Dick’s will have 11 outlet and clearance centers open in nine different states.

May Retail Sales Improve Dramatically Over April, Still Below Last Year
Retail sales rose dramatically in May as retailers and other businesses closed by the coronavirus pandemic began to reopen, but remained well below spending levels seen during the same period a year ago, the National Retail Federation said.

BN3TH Apparel Hires Key Account Manager
BN3TH Apparel announced that Mike Loughlin will join their team as the US Key Account Manager in July of this year.

Canada Goose Appoints North America President And Chief Of Staff
Canada Goose has appointed of Carrie Baker as President, North America and Kara MacKillop as Chief of Staff and EVP People & Culture.

Mall Landlords, Authentic Brands In Talks To Acquire J.C. Penney
Mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield have partnered with Authentic Brands to explore a purchase of bankrupt department-store chain J.C. Penney, sources told Bloomberg.

Decathlon Opens Dublin Flagship
Decathlon opened a flagship location in Dublin, marking its first location in the Republic of Ireland. Over the next few years, the French sports retailer expects to open nine outlets Ireland. It already has stores in Northern Ireland.

Salt Life Sees Robust DTC Sales In May
Delta Apparel Inc. announced strong direct-to-consumer sales results for its Salt Life brand, including its ten owned and operated branded retail stores and its branded e-commerce site for the month ended May 30.

Nike’s Phil Knight To Receive Honorary Doctorate From Oregon
Phil Knight, who graduated from The University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in 1959, will be given an honorary doctorate degree from his alma mater at a virtual ceremony on June 20.

USA Cycling Announces Olympic Long Team For Mountain Bike, Road And Track
USA Cycling announced the men’s and women’s mountain bike, road, and track Olympic long teams, naming the initial lists of athletes from which the final roster for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be selected next summer. Athletes are still eligible to make the Olympic long teams until May 2021.

Dick’s SG Reinstates Dividend Program, Restores Most Salaries
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. announced the reinstatement of its dividend program. The retailers also announced that with nearly 100 percent of its stores expected to have re-opened to the public by June 30, it has restored previously reduced salaries for all employees, except for certain executives, and has returned substantially all associates from furlough.