Academy Sports’ Debt Ratings Outlook Raised
S&P Global Ratings revised its debt rating outlook for Academy Sports + Outdoor, Inc. following a debt repayment. The positive rating outlook reflects the potential for an upgrade if Academy consistently performs during an uncertain economy while sustaining low S&P Global Ratings-adjusted leverage of about 1x.
Report: U.S. Outdoor And Sports Toy Category Sales Fall 11 Percent In 2022
The NPD Group reported that U.S. retail sales of toys generated $29.2 billion in 2022, a decrease of 0.2 percent.
Giant Group Acquires Minority Stake In Stages Cycling
Giant Group, headquartered in Portland, OR, acquired a 32.5 percent stake in Stages Cycling, a maker of stationary smart bikes for the commercial gym and home markets and crankarm-based power meters.
BRC Report: Fewer Retail Vacancies Seen In Q4 2022
The British Retail Consortium is reporting that the overall GB retail vacancy rate improved to 13.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Hurley x Nascar Partner On Apparel Line
Hurley and Nascar collaborated on a collection of men’s and women’s beach and surf apparel. Two racing-themed product lines will drop during this year’s Nascar 75th anniversary season.
JD Sports Reports Cyber Security Issue Includes Customer Data Access
JD Sports Fashion Plc, the parent company for Finish Line, Shoe Palace and DTLR, among others, has been the target of a cyber incident that resulted in unauthorized access to a system that contained customer data relating to online orders placed between November 2018 and October 2020.
Grundéns Renews Sponsorship With MLF And Adds Athletes
Grundéns, the maker of fishing apparel and footwear, renewed its sponsorship with Major League Fishing and expanded its ambassador team.
Dick’s SG Closes Midwest City Location
Dick’s Sporting Goods has closed its location in Midwest City, OK.
Canada Goose Launches Rental Program With Selfridges
Canada Goose is launching a rental program with U.K.-based luxury retailer Selfridges. The rental items will be available from the Selfridges’ website and its London flagship.
VF Corp. Opens Design Collective And Regional Office In Tokyo
VF Corp. opened its Tokyo Design Collective (TDC) and a regional office in Tokyo’s Harajuku district—the new home for VF’s Dickies, Timberland and Vans brands—and where the TDC team will work.
University Of Michigan Reports Consumer Sentiment Recovery In January
Consumers are feeling better about the economy for the second month, according to The University of Michigan’s closely watched Consumer Sentiment Index, which measured 64.9 for January, up slightly from the preliminary reading of 64.6 earlier this month and up from 59.7 in December.
Tread Labs Expands U.S. Sales Team
Tread Labs, the performance insole brand established by Chaco Founder Mark Paigen, has expanded its sales team and doubled the size of its headquarters.
Nike Sues Japanese Fashion Brand
Nike, Inc sued Bathing Ape (BAPE), the Japanese fashion brand in New York, for allegedly copying some of its most iconic footwear styles.
Steiner Optics Appoints National Sales Manager
Steiner Optics promoted Mic Otto to national sales manager and product specialist.
Sam’s Club To Open 30 Locations
Walmart-owned Sam’s Club plans to open more than 30 new stores in the U.S. over the next few years, marking its first expansion since 2017.
