U.S. Golf Rounds Played Bounce Back In December
According to Golf Datatech, U.S. rounds of golf returned to year-over-year growth in December, up 1.9 percent. For the full year, rounds played were up 5.5 percent.
NPD Announces U.S. Outdoor Sports Retail Performance Awards
The NPD Group announced the winners of its second annual Outdoor Sports Retail Performance Awards. According to NPD Retail Tracking Service data*, the awards acknowledge the fastest-growing brands in the U.S. outdoor and snow specialty retail markets based on in-store and e-commerce sales revenue.
NSSF Retailer Surveys Find 5.4 Million First-Time Gun Buyers In 2021
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) found that at least 5.4 million people purchased a firearm for the first time in 2021. Nearly 30 percent of all firearm purchases in 2021 were sold to new gun owners, based on NSSF retailer surveys and adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background checks.
Steve Madden Appoints Two Board Members
Steve Madden announced the appointment of Arian Simone, president and chief executive officer of Fearless Fund, and Peter A. Davis, a footwear and apparel industry veteran, to its Board of Directors.
La Jolla Group Names New CEO
La Jolla Group Inc. (LJG) announced that Michael Pratt, chief financial officer and SVP strategy, has been promoted to chief executive officer. Daniel Neukomm, CEO since May 2013, will now assume the role of executive chairman.
NGF Report: Golf Participation And Engagement Rise Again In 2021
Participation research shows overall golf participation in the U.S. increased by 600,000 to 37.5 million in 2021, up 2 percent, according to the State-of-Industry Graffis Report published by the NGF (National Golf Foundation).
Unifi Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results, Achieving Strong Sales
Unifi, Inc., makers of Repreve, reported sales grew 23.7 percent in the fiscal second quarter ended December 26.
Nike Appoints Executive Vice President And General Counsel
Nike Inc. announced that Ann Miller, a 14-year Nike veteran with more than two decades of legal experience, will become executive vice president and general counsel, effective February 17, 2022. Miller succeeds Hilary Krane, who is retiring.
Adidas Plans More Than 2,800 New Hires In 2022
Adidas said it plans to hire more than 2,800 employees in 2022, including more than 800 in its home country of Germany.
Levi Strauss Q4 Revenues Climb 22 Percent
Levi Strauss & Co. reported sales in the fourth quarter ended November 28 grew 22 percent versus Q4 2020 and gained 7 percent versus Q4 2019. Earnings and sales were slightly ahead of Wall Street targets.
Lids Parent Raises $250M
Private equity holding company Ames Watson announced it has raised $250 million dollars in a new round of funding as the company continues to expand. The funding was raised through Ames’ affiliate, Lids, issuance of a Term B private loan. Ames Watson expects to use this capital for add-on acquisitions and investments for Lids and for separate stand-alone control and passive investments.
JD Sports Veteran To Lead Debenhams
Debenhams has appointed JD Sports veteran Daniel Finley as CEO.
Trijicon Names VP Sales And Marketing
Trijicon, Inc., a provider of aiming solutions for the hunting, shooting, military, and law enforcement markets, announced John Trull as vice president of sales and marketing. Most recently, he held the position of vice president of product management-ammunition, Vista Outdoor.
Signa Sports’ Sales Expand 24 Percent In Fiscal Year
Signa Sports United (SSU), the Berlin-based sports e-commerce and technology platform, reported sales grew 10 percent in the fourth quarter and 24 percent in the fiscal year ended September 30.
Activist Investor Seeks Seat On Kohl’s Board
Activist hedge fund Macellum Advisors, which owns about a 5 percent stake in Kohl’s Corp., sent a letter to the retailer’s board on Tuesday urging Kohl’s to publicly commit to carrying out a “robust” process to review strategic alternatives and form a special committee of independent directors to oversee the review.
