Retail: 67
0.31%
Retail: 201
1.78%

The Buzz

AVIA is eying expanded distribution into specialty stores by the end of FY19, buoyed by brand ambassador Vanessa Hudgens, according to parent Sequential Brands Group. Avia is currently only available in the mass channel. Overall, SQBG says its growth focus is on active and athleisure, including global expansion opportunities for its GAIAM and AND1 brands.

BOGS, owned by Weyco Group, realized a 34 percent increase in Q4 sales and 10 percent gain for 2018. Some of the final period improvement was driven by favorable weather patterns, bolstering retail insulated boot sales in the U.S. and Canada.

Easton has partnerships with 96 fastpitch softball programs, including 59 Division I programs, and 89 NCAA college baseball programs. Top college softball teams using the brand’s products include: UCLA, South Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama, Cal State-Fullerton and Texas.

Heelys has forged a collaboration with the Harlem Globetrotters that includes experiential activations of the brand at Harlem Globetrotter games in the U.S. and abroad, a shoe collaboration, exclusive online content and school curriculum integration. For Fall 2019, Heelys and the basketball organization will jointly distribute the brand’s “How I Roll” self-esteem platform initiative into U.S. middle schools.  

Promoboxx, the Boston-based retail engagement platform that connects brands, consumers and retailers, joins the non-profit Running Industry Association. Through the partnership, both organizations will work together to support run specialty stores with digital marketing content to drive in-store sales and online engagement. Member benefits include access to customizable RIA marketing campaigns and access to Promoboxx industry content. Run specialty retailers who want to sign-up for RIA content through Promoboxx should contact [email protected] . Footwear brands aiming to provide similar content to their retailers may learn more at www.promoboxx.com or request a demo.

Warrior Custom Golf, which operates a custom golf club business and a portfolio of public golf courses, filed for Chap.11 bankruptcy re-organization on March 4. The Irvine, CA company says both business segments are operating normally, that it has ample liquidity to fund operations, and that it has already secured debtor-in-possession financing.

Mon, Aug 28, 2017
Vol 1, Issue No. 33