SGB Update

Report: U.S. Consumer Confidence Shows Slight Uptick in July

Data released July 30, showed that The Conference Board’s gauge for July increased to 100.3 from a downwardly revised 97.8 in June. Based on consumers’ assessment of today’s business and labor market conditions, The Conference Board’s Present Situation Index declined to 133.6 from 135.3 last month.

Rocky Brands Trims Q2 Loss as Sales Slip 1.6 Percent

Rocky Brands Inc. reduced its loss in the second quarter ended June 30 with the aid of higher gross margins and lower expenses. Sales in the period were down 1.6 percent, but grew 6.1 percent adjusted for the divestiture of the Servus brand.

PickleRage Hires New VP of Franchise Development

The company added Eric O’Connor to its leadership team as VP of franchise development in an effort to strengthen the brand’s expansion efforts and streamline systems for franchisees.

Report: Wildfires Increasingly Disrupt Camping Plans

With over one hundred wildfires burning across Oregon alone and several air quality advisories issued, officials have closed almost 50 of the state’s most popular hiking and camping sites disrupting the camping and outdoor industries for the foreseeable future.

JD Sports Warehouse Workers in England Face Job Cuts

“Around 200 workers” are impacted, as one staff member said that the consultation period should be concluded by September 6. JD Sports’ nearby distribution center in Rochdale (Kingsway), England, is not affected.

Rip-It Sports Hires First Chief Marketing Officer

Amy Craven was formerly the director of brand and global advertising for American Airlines. Her appointment follows Janelle Anderson’s recent naming as Rip-It Sports’ new CEO in April.

Omega Capital Closes Investment in New Fund

The strategy for Fund II is expected to largely follow that of Fund I, investing $3 million to $10 million in growth equity or buyout transactions in Oklahoma and surrounding states in healthcare, outdoor products and aviation.