SGB Update Apparel

Report: USA Cycling To Hire Rob DeMartini As CEO

USA Cycling plans to hire Rob DeMartini, who is stepping down as New Balance’s president and CEO at the close of the year, as its new CEO, according to Cycling News. He replaces outgoing CEO Derek Bouchard-Hall. 

Amazon Sees Record Holiday Sales

Amazon  announced a “record-breaking holiday season”  with athleisure cited as a “top trend” and Nike, Adidas, Carhartt and Champion landing on its top-sellers list.

Mastercard: U.S. Retail Sales Grew 5.1 Percent This Holiday Season

According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which provides insights into overall retail spending trends across all payment types, including cash and check, holiday sales increased 5.1 percent to more than $850 billion this year – the strongest growth in the last six years. Online shopping also saw large gains of 19.1 percent compared to 2017. The apparel category saw its strongest growth since 2010.

Mastercard: Online Shopping Shines Bright This Holiday Season

Consumers are on track to spend more online than ever before this holiday season, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse. U.S. e-commerce sales trotted off to a strong start just before Thanksgiving, and grew 18.3 percent year-over-year in the period from November 1 through December 19.

States Scramble To Keep National Parks Open

A number of parks are digging into their own treasuries to keep their federal properties, including national parks, open and maintained during the partial government shutdown, according to reports. The shutdown, which began on Saturday, affected national parks unevenly, some still accessible with bare-bones staffing levels, some operating with money from states or charitable groups and others locked off.

Cycling App Zwift Raises $120 Million In Funding

Zwift, a multiplayer online training and racing platform for cyclists and runners, announced $120 million in funding, reflecting its commitment both to growing its new running discipline and also to expanding into esports.

Top of the World Signs New Licensing Partnership With UConn

Top of the World, a leading collegiate apparel and headwear licensee, has inked a deal with the University of Connecticut to become the school’s exclusive apparel and headwear licensee in all mass channels of distribution.

Adidas Sets 2019 Rivals Camp Series

Rivals, Next College Student Athlete (NCSA), and Adidas announced the third-annual Rivals Camp Series, featuring the Rivals adizero Combines. All combines are free and open to current high school football players.

Nike Inc. Names G. Scott Uzzell President And CEO of Converse

Nike Inc. announced that effective January 22, 2019, G. Scott Uzzell will become president and CEO of Converse, Inc. Uzzell comes to Converse from The Coca-Cola Company where he most recently served as president, Venturing & Emerging Brands Group (VEB).

Unifi’s CFO Resigns

Unifi Inc. said in a regulatory filing that Jeffrey C. Ackerman, the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, resigned on December 20. The exit was made by mutual agreement.

Moody’s Affirms Under Armour’s Debt Rating, Outlook Remains Negative

Moody’s Investors Service affirmed Under Armour, Inc.’s Baa3 senior unsecured rating. The rating outlook remains negative. Stated Moody’s apparel analyst, Mike Zuccaro,”The affirmation reflects our expectation for sequential improvement in operating performance and credit metrics over the next 12-18 months as the company advances through the last year of its multi-year transformation plan.”

Nike Smashes Expectations In Q2

Nike Inc. reported earnings rose 10.4 percent in the second quarter ended November 30 on a 9.6 percent revenue gain. Earnings and revenues both topped Wall Street’s targets as margins improved and strong sales were seen in  North America and China.

Demo Day To Be Held At Inaugural Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference

Racquet sports professionals can attend, free of charge, the Demo Day and Industry Welcome Party at the USTA National Campus on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. The Demo Day and Industry Welcome Party are part of the inaugural three-day Racquet & Paddle Sports Conference, January 23-25, in Orlando, FL. Complimentary industry registration is required to attend […]