SGB Update Apparel

Everlast Unveils ‘Be First’ Campaign
Everlast has revealed the next wave of trailblazers to be celebrated in “Be First,” a global campaign challenging consumers to carve their own path to success. In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, the campaign spotlights the inspiring stories of boxing promoter Kathy Duva, Everlast athlete and boxing world champion Heather Hardy, and journalist Kris Herndon.

Brooks Brothers Files Counterclaim Against Brooks Sports
Brooks Brothers Group Inc. announced that it has filed a response and counterclaim against Brooks Sports, Inc. for breach of contract, trademark infringement, dilution and unfair competition. The lawsuit seeks to eliminate potential consumer deception or confusion caused by Brooks Sports by intentionally dropping its logo in association with its brand name.

Survey: Sports Events Improves Employee Morale
Three in four professionals (75 percent) said their company organizes activities to celebrate sporting events like March Madness, according to new research from global staffing firm Robert Half. Of those respondents, 78 percent feel these festivities improve their on-the-job morale.

The Buckle’s Comps Improve 6 Percent In February
The Buckle Inc. announced that comparable store net sales, for stores open at least one year, for the 4-week period ended February 29, 2020 increased 6.3 percent.

Under Armour’s Long-Time PR Chief Steps Down
Diane Pelkey, Under Armour’s long-time SVP of communications, has left the company. She joined Under Armour in 2007.

Nike Temporarily Closes London Headquarters Over Coronavirus
Nike has temporarily closed its London headquarters in Soho as cases of coronavirus spreads in the U.K. Another Nike office at Doxford Park near Sunderland was also temporarily closed.

Savage Apparel Mergers With Five Ultimate
Savage Apparel Co., Five Ultimate, and ARIA Discs have merged to officially announce the launch of XII Brands.

Brazil’s Track & Field Files For IPO
Track & Field, a high-end fitness and lifestyle apparel brand with 231 stores in Brazil, has filed for an initial public offering with Brazil’s securities industry regulator.

Boardriders’ Debt Ratings Downgraded
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Boardriders Inc.’s ratings, including the corporate family rating to Caa1 from B3, probability of default rating to Caa1-PD from B3-PD, and secured term loan rating to Caa1 from B3. The outlook is stable.

Lilly Pulitzer Partners With Women’s Tennis Association
Lilly Pulitzer announced a partnership with the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association). The two brands are uniting for a youth empowerment initiative, aimed to inspire confidence and optimism in future generations as part of Lilly’s new “Be the Sunshine” campaign. Lilly Pulitzer will also serve as the WTA’s exclusive fashion uniform provider.

Ross Stores Sees 4 Percent Comp Gain In Q4
Ross Stores Inc. reported earnings per share for the 13 weeks ended February 1, 2020 grew 7 percent to $1.28 on net income of $456 million. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $4.4 billion, with comparable-store sales up 4 percent on top of a 4 percent gain in the prior-year period.

Urban Outfitters’ Q4 Earnings Slump
Urban Outfitters Inc. reported earnings on an adjusted basis fell 45.6 percent in the fourth quarter. Comparable Retail segment net sales increased 4 percent, driven by growth in the digital channel, partially offset by negative retail store sales

REI Closes Corporate Campuses Over Coronavirus Precautions
REI, based in Seattle, is temporarily closing three corporate campuses in Washington state to conduct a deep cleaning process after learning that two headquarter employees may have been exposed to coronavirus. REI’s King County and Alderwood stores are also undergoing a deep cleaning.

Decathlon’s Sales Grew 9 Percent in 2019
Decathlon, the French-sporting goods chan, reported sales rose 9 percent in 2019, to over €12.4 billion ($13.78 bn).

Kohl’s Q4 Earnings Top Wall Street Targets
Kohl’s Inc. reported a small decline in earnings in the fourth quarter on flat same-store sales but both EPS and sales exceeded Wall Street’s targets. Michelle Gass, Kohl’s CEO, said, “We are encouraged by the acceleration of traffic and new customer acquisition in our stores and online driven by the unprecedented level of new brands and partnerships we launched during the year.”