Dillard’s Reports Flat Fourth Quarter On Sharp Margin Decline
Dillard’s reported net sales for the fiscal fourth quarter ended January 28 were up slightly to $2.13 billion, compared to $2.11 billion in the year-ago period.
360 Adventure Collective Announces Summer 2023 Show Schedule
360 Adventure Collective announced its regional summer show lineup, including 360AC Experience, in April, emphasizing camping, climbing and hiking.
Report: Pou Chen To Cut 6,000 Jobs In Vietnam
Taiwan’s Pou Chen Corp., which makes footwear for Nike, Adidas and other athletic footwear companies, plans to cut around 6,000 jobs at its Ho Chi Minh City plant in Vietnam due to weak demand, sources told Reuters.
Franklin Armory Names Director Of Brand And Product Marketing
Franklin Armory, Inc., the maker of firearms, parts and accessories, hired Dan Dement as brand and product marketing director.
Running Supply Acquires Achille Agway
Running Supply, Inc., operating as Runnings, based in Marshall, MN, agreed to acquire Achille Enterprises, Inc. Operating under Achille Agway, Achille Enterprises owns six farm and home stores in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Nike’s Chief Digital Information Officer Departs
Ratnakar Lavu, Nike’s global chief digital information officer, resigned on February 20, according to Business Insider.
Laurie McCartney, President, NASM And AFAA, Dies Unexpectedly
Laurie McCartney, president of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), died unexpectedly on February 6. No cause of death was shared.
IHRSA Adds Two Board Members
IHRSA appointed Ori Gorfine, president of U.S. Fitness Holdings and Richard Beddie, CEO of ExerciseNZ and the chief of staff to the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals, to its Board of Directors.
Adidas’ Debt Ratings Downgraded On Slashed Outlook
Moody’s downgraded the debt ratings of Adidas following the company’s steep profit warning for 2023, “signaling a significant and unexpected further downward revision of the company’s financials and credit metrics for the next 12-18 months.”
VF Corp’s Debt Ratings Lowered
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the debt ratings of VF Corp. due to the company’s currently high leverage resulting from underperformance in its largest and most profitable brand, Vans, as well as large customer inventory destocking at Dickies, a slower-than-expected recovery in China, and elevated inventory levels that are leading to higher promotional sales activity and reduced margins.
Pactimo Names Director Of Custom Sales
Denver, CO-based cycling apparel brand Pactimo hired Robert Allen as director of custom sales.
Quell Raises $10M In Series A Funding Round
Quell, the UK-based fitness gaming developer and publisher, completed a $10 million Series A funding round led by Tencent with follow-on investment from Khosla Ventures, Heartcore Capital, Social Impact Capital, and entrepreneur Naval Ravikant.
Life Time To Hold Pickleball Tournaments
Life Time, the operator of over 160 fitness clubs, is bringing nine pickleball tournaments to its locations resulting from alliances with the Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball.
USA Triathlon Foundation Hires New Chair, Officers
The USA Triathlon Foundation hired Alex Egan as Chair of its Board of Trustees following the Board’s 2022 officer elections. The organization also named three officers.
Blain’s Named One Of America’s Best Employers For Fifth Year
Forbes magazine named Blain’s Farm & Fleet one of “America’s Best Midsize Employers” for the fifth year in a row. In 2023, Blain’s Farm & Fleet ranked as the #1 Wisconsin-based retail and wholesale company.
