SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Oofos Launches First Global Campaign
Oofos, the maker of recovery footwear, announced its first global brand campaign, titled “Recover Faster. Feel the OO.”
Sports & Fitness Product Industry Exceeds $90 Billion In Sales
SFIA’s 2018 Manufacturers’ Sales Report shows sales in the sports and fitness industry grew 2.9 percent in 2017, which represents the best annual growth in three years.
Unifi To Acquire National Spinning’s Dyed Yarn Unit
The acquisition is expected to enhance Unifi’s position as a leading producer of dyed staple and filament yarn in the region, and will add acrylic and wool products to the company’s dyed yarn portfolio.

Puma Lifts FY Outlook On Double-Digit Q1 Revenue Growth
Puma slightly raised full-year guidance for 2018 after reporting strong preliminary results for the first quarter. Sales rose approximately 21 percent on a currency-neutral basis in the quarter.

Starboard Nominates Four For Newell Board
Starboard Value LP, the activist hedge fund seeking to replace Newell Brands’ board, charged in a letter to Newell’s shareholders that Newell entered into a “hastily constructed” agreement with famed investor Carl Icahn that may lead to Newell electing directors to the board who are weaker than its own nominees.
Academy Sports Opens Stores In Shreveport And Madison
Academy Sports + Outdoors opened new stores in Shreveport, LA and Madison, MS.
Kansas And North Carolina State Caught In College Basketball Probe
An Adidas executive conspired with others to pay the families of players to commit to Kansas and North Carolina State, according to a new court documents. Louisville and Miami had been the only schools involved in the FBI’s probe into corruption in college basketball.
Columbia Sportswear To Acquire Remaining Interest In China Joint Venture
Columbia Sportswear Company announced the intent to acquire the remaining 40 percent interest in Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai) Company, the joint venture that the company currently operates in China with Swire Resources Limited, a subsidiary of Swire Pacific Limited.
Volcom Hits The Selling Block
Kering said it plans to sell its Volcom, the action sports brand, to focus purely on luxury goods.

Nike Slips, Adidas Gains In Piper Jaffray’s Teen Survey
According to Piper Jaffray Companies’ 35th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens survey, Nike dominated teen spending among brands but saw some eroding mindshare. Adidas climbed further, hitting a new peak in mindshare.

Adidas Partners With Lean In To Promote Equal Pay For Women
Lining up with Equal Pay Day held on April 10, Adidas and sister brand, Reebok, are partnering with Lean In, the movement founded by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg to encourage gender equality in the workplace and support equal pay.

Dick’s To Open Stores in Waco And North Little Rock
Dick’s Sporting Goods will be opening two new Dick’s Sporting Goods stores in April in Waco, TX and North Little Rock, AR.
The Northwest Company Partners With Operation Hat Trick
The Northwest will now offer a series of custom licensed products that directly benefits the Operation Hat Trick’s mission of providing the needed financial and emotional support to veterans across the nation.
Zamst Announces New President Yosuke Suzuki
Zamst U.S., a brand of the Nippon Sigmax Group, officially announced a senior leadership change.
Under Armour, Aston Villa Terminate Deal Three Years Early
Aston Villa FC, the professional football club in Aston, Birmingham, has terminated the team’s partnership with Under Armour.