Finish Line: Market Malaise Will Ease in H2

Easier comparisons, more store remodels opened and a stronger pipeline of new products from its vendors are contributing to the athletic specialty retailer’s bullish attitude about the second half of its fiscal year that commences in late August. Finish Line is forecasting a low-single digit increase in same store sales for the period with better Average Unit Retail (AUR) prices in apparel and footwear. Read More...

New and Smaller Is One Solution

The numbers speak for themselves. With the first half of 2017 drawing to a close this week, there have been an astounding 5,321 announced store closures year-to-date, up 218 percent year-over-year, according to Fung Global Retail Tech. Announced year-to-date store openings are up 53 percent to 3,262, but 71 percent of the planned doors are either dollar stores or grocery locations from German retailer Aldi. But it does not believe the current bleak environment is signaling “the demise of physical retail.”

Instead, the research house sees opportunities for retailers who can adapt to the changing landscape through innovation and value creation for consumers through the launching of new store formats, both smaller and pop-up locations to meet changing preferences; more effective omnichannel strategies and more integration of technology into retail.

Fung Global estimates $1.5 billion in clothing, footwear and accessory sales will migrate from 380-390 planned JCPenney, Macy’s, Sears and Kmart stores to other retailers. It sees fast fashion, discounters and e-tailers as the “winners” from the current retail shift and “slow adopters” as the likely “losers” with department stores and specialty retailers likely to continue struggling without an adoption of more innovation.

One retail concept that has been gaining traction in recent years is the creation of “in-store communities” that connect with target customers and create brand experiences. Some examples include events, classes and “wellness locations” featuring beverage bars and open space for gatherings.

Fila Strengthens Tennis Ties

The Italian brand recently struck a partnership to become the “Official Apparel and Footwear Provider of the Western and Southern Open.” The Open, scheduled this year for August 12-20 in Mason, Ohio, is one of only five tennis events worldwide, outside of grand slams, where the best men and women play during the same week at the same venue.

Fila said its new partnership with the Western and Southern Open exemplifies its continued commitment to the sport as it expands its tennis efforts in the U.S. On- and off-court staff will be dressed in a range of Fila apparel that keeps both performance and style top-of-mind. Officials, volunteers and chairpersons will don updated traditional silhouettes in an atomic blue, navy and white color palette. Design elements such as stripes across the chest will be featured on classic polo shirts and jackets. All tournament officials will wear Fila’s Original Tennis lifestyle footwear.

Commemorative Water Bottle for Public Land Conservation

HydraPak will provide next month’s Outdoor Retailer attendees with an opportunity to support public land conservation. The Oakland hydration company is producing 500 limited-edition, co-branded STOW 500ml bottles designed by Igawa Design to give away to OR attendees for a requested $5 donation. All collected funds will be donated to The Access Fund, the national advocacy organization that conserves the climbing environment.

The STOW is a new, soft-walled bottle that flattens and rolls up when empty that will debut at OR in Spring 2018. HydraPak, which focuses on the outdoor, mountain biking, running, winter sports, tactical and adventure travel markets with its own branded products and partnerships with dozens of OEMs, believes the giveaway will serve as a piece of memorabilia from the last OR in Salt Lake City and keep participants in the “This Land is Our Land” March on July 27 hydrated.

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The Buzz

Canada Goose has filed documents for a secondary public offering of 12.5 million shares to be sold by certain shareholders, including Bain Capital and certain members of senior management. GOOS will not receive any proceeds from the share sale.

VERT adds the Mississippi State women’s basketball team as a client for its G-VERT Team System. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida wearable athletic technology company already has relationships with the NBA’s Miami Heat and men’s basketball program at Auburn University. VERT provides performance data to 200+ college and professional sports teams.