SGB Update

Imports Headed To Lowest Level Since Early 2021

Imports at the nation’s major container ports are expected to fall to their lowest level in nearly two years by the end of 2022 even though retail sales continue to grow, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

Club Champion Opens In Five New Markets

Club Champion said it opened five new stores in the third quarter. With golf club fitting studios now open in Torrance, CA; Wilmington, NC; Pleasanton, CA; Mandeville, LA; and Ashburn, VA, Club Champion is ready to enter over 115 domestic and international locations by the end of the year.

Recall: Swift Straps

About 1,800 nine-inch Swift Straps from Swift Industries Designs have been recalled. The rubber straps that fasten a bike bag to a bicycle could break, causing it to come loose and fall, posing a crash and/or injury hazard to the rider. 

Jordan Brand VP Joins Sony

Andrea Perez, formerly global vice president and general manager of Jordan Women’s, has joined Sony as SVP global marketing, product, brand and services with a focus on its Playstation brand.

Ross Stores Appoint Board Member

Ross Stores, Inc. announced that Edward G. Cannizzaro had been elected to its Board of Directors, effective October 14, 2022.

Oros Apparel To Open Chicago Pop-up Shop

Oros, the manufacturer of thermal technology for apparel, announced it would open a pop-up shop in Chicago’s Southport neighborhood on October 22.

Adidas Places Yeezy Partnership Under Review

Adidas issued a statement saying it had placed its partnership with Kanye West supporting the Yeezy range “under review” after West had recently been publicly critical of the company and its CEO.

Norrøna Adds Midwestern Reps

Norrøna hired Grand Rapids, MI-based sales agency Kozy Outdoors, LLC, to its network of outdoor specialty retailers serving the Midwest region. The company also promoted Patrick Gould as U.S. sales rep, a newly created role.

RareWaters Expands Team, Hires CEO

RareWaters hired RJ Hosking as CEO and added to its sales and marketing team timed with its expansion into fly fishing in the Rocky Mountain region.

Academy Sports’ Debt Ratings Upgraded

S&P Global Ratings raised the debt ratings of Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc. due to its recent better-than-expected performance, including S&P Ratings’-adjusted EBITDA margins of almost 19 percent over the last six quarters.

New York Road Runners Appoints CEO

New York Road Runners announced that Rob Simmelkjaer, a former NBC Sports Ventures and ESPN executive, was hired as chief executive officer, effective November 15, 2022.