SGB Update Apparel
’47 Makes Key Merchandising and Marketing Executive Hires
Sports fan apparel brand ’47 hired Steven Monti as VP of design and development, Ryan Cross as VP of merchandising and Brooke Thornton as VP of marketing.
Play It Again Sports Parent Posts Q3 Earnings Growth
Winmark Corp., the parent of Play It Again Sports, reported earnings improved 7.5 percent in the third quarter ended September 30, to $11.1 million, or $3.05 a share, from $10.4 million, or $2.93, a year ago.
Wild Rye Taps Method Outdoor Collective to Lead Sales
Outdoor lifestyle apparel brand Wild Rye hired Method Outdoor Collective, a sales agency based in Burlington, VT. Its Founder, Sasha Dietschi-Cooper, will reportedly serve as a fractional VP of sales for the brand.
Mountain Hardwear Adds New Midwest Independent Sales Group
Parallel 45 Sales reportedly specializes in connecting brands and people to “build the communities of those who enjoy spending time in the outdoors, aligning with Mountain Hardwear’s commitment to make better outdoor gear and get more people outside using it.”
Retail Sales Grew 3.8 Percent in September; Sporting Goods Trailing Market
The U.S. Census Bureau said overall retail sales in September were up 0.7 percent from August and up 3.8 percent year-over-year. The National Retail Federation (NRF) said the gains have moderated as consumers face continued pressures from the slowed economy.
Outerknown to Open Four Stores
Outerknown, the sustainable clothing brand, co-founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater, reported plans to open four brick-and-mortar retail stores, bringing the total operating store count to nine, with one store slated to open in Spring 2024.
Hybrid Apparel Appoints President, Hybrid Digital
Cypress, CA-based Hybrid Apparel hired Stephen Teglas as president of Hybrid Digital, the company’s print-on-demand apparel business.
Gildan to Close Salisbury Factory
Gildan Activewear plans to close its factory on Heilig Road in the Charlotte, NC, suburb of Salisbury, affecting 258 employees, according to a WARN notice first reported by the Salisbury Post.
Krimson Klover Hires Pacific Northwest Sales Rep
Krimson Klover hired Katie Borgen as a sales rep covering the Pacific Northwest, which includes Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska. Borgen has a decade of experience working in the outdoor space.
Academy Sports to Open in Jefferson City
Academy Sports + Outdoors opened a store in Jefferson City, its eleventh location in Missouri, at 739 Stoneridge Parkway.
VF Appoints VP Supply Chain Operations, EMEA
VF Corp. named An Claes as VP of supply chain operations, EMEA. She replaces Stuart Pond, who is now VP of global supply chain platforms.
Fanatics’ Debt Ratings Outlook Downgraded
S&P Global Ratings revised its debt ratings outlook on Fanatics Holdings, Inc. after the sports fan retailing giant reported meaningful margin deterioration through the first half of fiscal 2023 amid slowing consumer demand and cost pressures partly tied to strategic investments. Fanatics Commerce’s sales were approximately flat in the second quarter while Lids “experienced top line and bottom line pressures.”
Signa Sports’ Largest Shareholder Terminates Equity Commitment Letter
Signa Sports United N.V., which in early October announced plans to delist its shares from the NYSE, said it had received a termination notice concerning the unconditional Equity Commitment Letter from Signa Holding GmbH, an affiliate of the company’s largest shareholder Signa International Sports Holding GmbH.
SFIA Launches Super Regionals Series
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association is launching a Super Regional Series in November, offering members, partners and industry leaders the opportunity to come together to discuss business insights and topics driving today’s sporting goods and fitness environment.
New Era Appoints General Manager for North America
New Era Cap LLC has hired Steve Gallo, most recently president of the recovery footwear brand Oofos, as general manager for North America after an extensive global search.
