SGB Update Apparel

SquadLocker Attracts $20 Million Investment
SquadLocker, a leading uniform and custom team gear provider, announced the closing of a $20 million Series C funding round led by late-stage growth company investor ABS Capital Partners.

Big 5 Warns Of Q1 Loss
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. reported earnings of $356,000, or 2 cents share, in the fourth quarter, rebounding from a loss a year ago. But the retailer said it expects a loss in the first quarter as winter weather conditions have softened significantly over the course of the period. Same-store sales are currently running down approximately 10 percent in the quarter.

Modell’s Releases List Of Planned Store Closures
Modell’s Sporting Goods’ list of the 19 stores it plans to close includes nine locations in its hometown of New York City. The retailer initially said it planned to close 24 stores but rent concessions will keep five open.

Macy’s Q4 Exceeds Wall Street’s Target
Macy’s Inc. reported both earnings and sales were down in the fourth quarter but sales were down less than expected and earnings exceeded Wall Street’s consensus target.

Wolverine World Wide Sees Five Percent Growth In Q4
Wolverine World Wide Inc. reported sales rose 4.8 percent in the fourth quarter, boosted by mid-teens revenue growth from Merrell and Sperry and saw earnings top Wall Street’s guidance. For the current year, however, the company provided a soft outlook, citing the negative impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

VF Corp. Again Recognized For Ethics
VF Corp. has been recognized by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fourth consecutive year.

GymShark To Open First Pop-Up Store
GymShark, the U.K.-based fitness apparel start-up, announced the opening its first-ever pop-up store in Central London.

Modell’s Issues Statement Seeking Outside Investor
Modell’s Sporting Goods on Monday announced that the retailer was formally launching a “crowdsourcing campaign” to find an outside investment to support the retail business. The company also said that on Saturday, Mitchell Modell, CEO and one of his landlords negotiated a deal to reverse the closure of four stores that were announced last week.

Wilson Adds International Padel Star Fernando Belasteguín To Advisory Staff
Wilson Sporting Goods Co. announced it has signed global padel star Fernando Belasteguín, known as “Bela,” to its advisory staff.

Asics Rolls Out New Campaign Timed For U.S. Marathon Trials
Asics North America unveiled two new commercial spots at the center of their new 2020 North American “I Move Me” brand marketing campaign. The spots will make their television debut during the U.S. Marathon Trials on February 29.

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation Partners With Lindsey Vonn
In conjunction with The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation, The Lindsey Vonn Foundation (LVF) has established The Dick’s Foundation Sports Matter Scholarship for underprivileged youth athletes across the country.

Brooks Sports Sees 3.5 Percent Revenue Gain In 2019
Brooks Sports saw sales climb 3.5 percent in 2019 despite the opening of a new distribution center that presented logistical challenges, according to the annual report of the running brand’s parent, Berkshire Hathaway.

Tilly’s Appoints Chief Digital Officer
Tilly’s Inc. appointed Jon Kosoff as chief digital officer. Kosoff will oversee all aspects of the company’s e-commerce, digital marketing, and customer relationship management functions.

Citi Trends Appoints New CEO
Citi Trends Inc. appointed David Makuen as chief executive officer, effective March 9, 2020. Makuen was an executive at Five Below.

Modell’s To Close 24 Stores
Modell’s Sporting Goods, which is seeking an outside investor to shore up its balance sheet, is closing 24 of its 141 locations.