SGB Update Footwear
Adidas Confirms Partnership to Outfit Texas Tech
Adidas will replace Under Armour as the uniform supplier for Texas Tech for the 2024 season. Under Armour’s partnership with the University began in 2006.
On Brand to Open Second London Store
On will open its second store in the UK in East London’s Spitalfields Market on November 3. On opened a flagship on Regent Street in February.
West Marine’s Debt Ratings Upgraded on Out-of-Court Restructuring
S&P Global Ratings raised its debt ratings on Rising Tide, doing business as West Marine, after the marine aftermarket retailer was able to complete an out-of-court restructuring, exchanging previous debt for equity consideration and adding new debt to the capital structure.
Report: VF Corp. Faces Second Activist Investor Threat
VF Corp.’s shares were up about 3 percent in late-afternoon trading on a Bloomberg report that activist investor Legion Partners Asset Management is targeting the company. Legion’s push would follow a move by activist investor Engaged Capital to acquire a stake in VF and call for cost cuts and board changes.
Report: September Golf Rounds Show Uptick
Golf Datatech reported that U.S. golf rounds played were up 1.6 percent year-over-year in September and increased 3.8 percent year-to-date, according to the research firm’s latest National Rounds Played Report for September 2023.
Puma’s Q3 Profits Drop On Currency Effects; Confirms Annual Guidance
Puma’s earnings fell 9.6 percent due to currency headwinds, weakness in North America and higher expenses. However, higher-than-expected revenues due to momentum in Europe, a recovery in China as well as stronger-than-expected margins led the German-based company to reiterate its guidance for the year.
REI To Open Eighth Store In Florida
REI Co-op announced plans to open another new store in Florida on November 10 in Sarasota at University Town Center. The 25,000-square-foot space is the co-op’s eighth store in the state.
Vail Resorts Reports Departure of Chief Marketing Officer
Ryan Bennett’s departure, which Vail said would be treated as an involuntary separation under the company’s executive severance policy, and the company expect to enter into a Severance Agreement and General Release with the now former CMO.
Puma Names A$AP Rocky as Creative Director, Formula 1 Division
Puma hired A$AP Rocky as the creative director for the brand’s Formula 1 partnership. The rapper will design capsule collections for Puma x F1, the first of which will land at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 18.
Steve Madden Acquires Almost Famous
Steven Madden Ltd. has completed the acquisition of Almost Famous, a privately-held maker of women’s apparel for $52 million in cash.
Tennis Warehouse Acquires Swetka’s Tennis Shop
Tennis Warehouse, the tennis retailer based in Luis Obispo, CA, reported that it recently acquired Swetka’s Tennis Shop in Mountain View, CA, a fixture in the Bay Area tennis community for over 50 years.
Vail Resorts Reports Departure of Chief Marketing Officer
Ryan Bennett’s departure, which Vail said would be treated as an involuntary separation under the company’s executive severance policy, and the company expect to enter into a Severance Agreement and General Release with the now former CMO.
Fleet Feet Rings the Bell on Wooster, OH Store Grand Opening
Fleet Feet, the largest franchisor of specialty run stores, officially announced its Wooster, OH store, which opened in late July, will host a grand opening.
Steven Madden Closes on Acquisition of Almost Famous
Steven Madden, Ltd. has completed the acquisition of privately-held Almost Famous, a designer and marketer of women’s apparel.
Academy Sports Names Sam Johnson President as Mullican Departs
The retailer announced that Michael Mullican is stepping down as president to pursue personal and professional opportunities. Sam Johnson, EVP of retail operations, is his successor, effective immediately.