SGB Update

Smith Optics Gives Nice Lift to Parent Co. in Third Quarter

At constant-currency exchange rates, the company’s sales decreased 3.9 percent in Q3, improving from the 6.6 percent decline recorded in Q2, which was said to be mainly due to the return to growth of the Smiths Sports business in North America.

Sports Basement to Open Store in Long Beach

Sports Basement is opening a location in a former Sears store in Long Beach, CA. The opening will mark the Bay Area sporting goods chain’s second location in Southern California after opening in Fountain Valley in 2022.

ISPO Partners with Joor on Long-Term Deal

The giant sports tradeshow ISPO Munich and digital wholesale ecosystem JOOR have entered into a long-term partnership that aims to enhance and extend the digital selling opportunities available to ISPO brands.

IHRSA Bolsters Advocacy Team

IHRSA, which advocates for the Health and Fitness Industry, hired Charles Regnante as government affairs manager.

Zelig Secures Funding Led by Hilco

Zelig, based in Los Angeles, reported it secured $15 million in Series A funding to support the launch of its AI-powered virtual try-on and styling technology (VTO-S). Hilco Global led the funding round, joined by luxury investor Bezikian Zareh, which brings the company to a $100 million valuation.

Ebay opens Canal Street Wear store in NYC

The company said the streetwear industry is estimated to be worth more than $180 billion and global searches for streetwear have increased by more than 150 percent since the beginning of the year on eBay.

Primary Arms Promotes Banda to CFO

Primary Arms promoted Joyce Banda to CFO. As head of Primary Arms Optics, she reportedly played a pivotal role in “shaping the company’s success, leading the company to new heights of innovation and market prominence.”

OR, Surf Expo Parent Sees Strong Core Show Business in Q3; Content Weakens

Emerald Holding, Inc., the operator of Outdoor Retailer and other trade shows, reported sales grew 16.2 percent in the third quarter ended September 30 while underlying earnings improved excluding year-ago event cancellation insurance benefits. Strength in its core trade show segment offset weakness in its content business.

Unifi First-Quarter Impacted by Weak Apparel Orders

Unifi, Inc. reported sales fell 22.7 percent in the fiscal first quarter ended October 1 due to “weak demand and depressed ordering patterns” in the apparel sector. The makers of Repreve-branded recycled and synthetic yarns, based in Greensboro, NC. posted a loss in the period.