MARIETTA, Ga. — October 10, 2019 — YKK has teamed up with Ubuntu Life on its Fall 2019 line of bags handmade by their “Maker Mums” in the Maai Mahiu region of Kenya. One hundred percent of Ubuntu Life profits support social impact programs in Kenya that are empowering the communities they work in through job creation. Beyond simply meeting needs, Ubuntu Life is creating a shift in values and changing the conversation surrounding disability and education stigmas in the region.

The new product line, which features donated YKK® #5 and #7 Standard Metal Zippers in Sage Grey, Camel Brown, Midnight Blue, Hibiscus Red, and Sea Green includes:

• Nairobi Tote in new colors;
• New Naivasha Tote (larger version of Nairobi Tote);
• New backpack called the Mara Backpack;
• New colors of the Love Crossbody with zip top closure; and
• New medium sized pouch called the Kisumu Pouch that can be placed inside the other bags.

Ubuntu Life believes the deepest and most permanent ways to empower people and break the cycle of poverty is through sustainable enterprises. They have been producing high-quality products and experiences with the Maker Mums since 2010. The nonprofit business currently provides full-time, above-market employment and health insurance to over 80 people in the Maai Mahiu region of Kenya.

“Ubuntu Life’s philosophy of using the power of global commerce to create social impact aligns well with YKK’s philosophy of the ‘Cycle of Goodness,’ which teaches us that no one prospers without rendering benefit to others,” said Chris Gleeson, director of sales, YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. Global Marketing Group. “Tadao Yoshida, the founder of YKK, believed that a business’ value is measured by the benefits it shares with society, and these contributions to society can best be achieved through the continual creation of value through innovative ideas and inventions. We are delighted to partner with an organization that benefits society and creates social change through providing the Maker Mums an opportunity to exhibit their beautiful craftsmanship for the entire world to see.”

“It’s an honor to partner with YKK, a company that we all know and have used their products our entire lives,” said Zane Wilemon, CEO of Ubuntu Life. “It is through collaborations such as these that restore hope to the world because not only will these products be used globally, but they are creating sustainable impact for communities that will cause a ripple effect of change for generations to come. This is what YKK did for their original employees and their employees’ families in Japan and it is what Ubuntu Life, as the lifestyle brand of Africa, is doing in Kenya today.”

Posted October 10, 2019

Source: YKK

PITTSBURGH — October 10, 2019 — DICK’S Sporting Goods hosted it’s first-ever fashion show last night in the Chelsea district of New York City. The show featured nearly 40 of the hottest fall and winter looks ahead of the holiday shopping season, highlighting head-turning lifestyle outerwear, footwear and accessories pieces from top brands available at DICK’S.

“Tonight was an exciting moment for us as a company,” said Lauren Hobart, president, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “Showcasing our apparel, outerwear and footwear assortments in a way we never have before — on a runway in New York City — with some of the most iconic faces in sports and entertainment taking part, was truly special. As culture and sports continue to blend to create today’s fashion, we want our customers to know that we have them covered on and off the field with both the latest lifestyle trends and highest-quality performance pieces.”

DICK’S partnered with Alex Rodriguez and Carli Lloyd to headline and walk in the show. Lloyd was dressed head-to-toe in Nike, featuring Nike Pro Hyperwarm pieces in Cedar and Nike Parka. Rodriguez closed the show, surprising guests, in a look that included a Nike Windrunner Puffer Jacket, The North Face Campshire Shirt and Timberland Premium Boots.

“As lifestyle clothing and footwear continue to intersect with sports culture, it’s clear that more athletes than ever are leading the way in setting fashion trends,” Rodriguez said.

“It’s great to see athletes are now on the forefront of style, fashion and culture, and no longer just thought of for wearing workout clothes and uniforms,” Lloyd said.

Joining Rodriguez and Lloyd were TV drama series star Javon Walton and reality TV star Demi Burnett. Walton, a rising boxing champion, rocked a head-to-toe Under Armour look, including the newly-launched hoodie from the UA Rock collection, camo shorts and UA Jet footwear. Burnett strutted down the runway in a trendy look that featured a stunning Nike Power floral bottom and Alpz Down Vest from The North Face.

Most everything featured in the show was sourced from DICK’S and is either available in-stores or online at dicks.com, or will be by the end of the month. The show’s looks featured pieces from top national brands such as adidas, Nike, Under Armour, Carhart, Champion, The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, Sorel and Doc Martin, alongside DICK’S-owned brands Alpine Design, CALIA by Carrie Underwood, DSG and Field & Stream.

Posted October 10, 2019

Source: DICK’S Sporting Goods Inc.

WASHINGTON — October 9, 2019 — Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to hit their highest level of the year again next month just before more tariffs take effect in December, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“This is the last chance to bring merchandise into the country before virtually everything the United States imports from China comes under tariffs,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Retailers are doing all they can to mitigate the impact of tariffs on their customers. The effect on prices will vary by retailer and product during the holiday season, but ultimately these taxes on America businesses and consumers will result in higher prices. We urge the administration to use this week’s talks with China to make progress toward ending the trade war and return to policies that promote long-term economic growth and prosperity for American families.”

New 15 percent tariffs on a wide range of consumer goods from China took effect at the beginning of September and are scheduled to be expanded to additional goods on December 15 – covering a total of about $300 billion in imports. In addition, 25 percent tariffs on $250 billion worth of imports already imposed over the past year are scheduled to increase to 30 percent on October 15.

“Let there be no doubt, U.S. trade policies and enforcement mechanisms have directly caused a global slowdown in economic growth,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. Nonetheless, imports are continuing to grow as retailers bring merchandise into the country ahead of tariffs. “The strength of retail consumption will push any meaningful slowdown in imports into next year, when the full impact of the tariff wars will be translated into a consumption tax felt by consumers.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.97 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in August, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was up 0.2 percent from July and up 3.9 percent year-over-year, and was the second-highest number of containers imported during any month of the year after last October’s record of 2 million. A TEU is one 20-foot-long cargo container or its equivalent.

Numbers dipped in September as new tariffs took effect, coming in at an estimated 1.9 million TEU, up 1.6 percent year-over-year. October is forecast at 1.93 million, down 5.1 percent from last year’s record volume. November is forecast at 1.97 million TEU, which would be up 8.9 percent year-over-year and tie August as the second-highest number of containers in a single month. But imports will fall to 1.78 million TEU in December, down 9.3 percent year-over-year. The expected drop from November will come as December’s tariffs take effect, but the month historically sees a falloff in imports because most holiday merchandise has already arrived by that point.

The first half of 2019 totaled 10.5 million TEU, up 2.1 percent over the first half of 2018, and 2019 is expected to see a new record of 22 million TEU. That would be up 1.2 percent from last year’s previous record of 21.8 million TEU.

January 2020 is forecast at 1.86 million TEU, down 1.9 percent from January 2019. February – traditionally the slowest month of the year because of Lunar New Year factory shutdowns in Asia – is forecast at 1.59 million TEU, down 1.8 percent from a year ago.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.

Posted October 9, 2019

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

CARY, N.C.— October 4, 2019 — USA Cycling announces an official partnership with apparel and lifestyle brands Champion Athleticwear and the Levi’s® brand. This first-of-its-kind partnership will be centered around designing and creating an apparel line for the USA Cycling’s BMX Freestyle National Team that includes the athletes, coaches and staff. The apparel will notably be shown as part of the BMX Freestyle kit at the sport’s inaugural debut in the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020.

Through the partnership, Levi’s and Champion will help USA Cycling bring BMX Freestyle to the masses. They will receive global visibility on the Team USA BMX Freestyle kit during international competitions; allowing them to bridge the unique circumstances that BMX Freestyle brings through its influence on the global lifestyle/streetwear culture around the world with jeans and t-shirts being a standard part of what athletes wear in competition.

“We are proud to collaborate with two great American brands who have been around for 100+ years,” said Rob DeMartini, president and CEO of USA Cycling. “When you think of American denim, it is synonymous with Levi’s. To have our athletes outfitted in a quality brand with a legacy of being quintisentially American is a perfect match. Additionally, Champion will celebrate its hundredth anniversary this year and we will celebrate ours in 2020. Over the past century they have become a fixture in American athletics and we are excited to find new and meaningful ways to work with them to continue to carry on that legacy. With the amount of coverage BMX Freestyle will receive from the media in the lead-up to and during their debut in the Games, we are excited to have the opportunity to showcase the sport with these meaningful partners in an innovative way.”

“We are proud to support the USA Cycling BMX Freestyle National Team and to collaborate with an iconic brand like Levi’s,” said Jon Ram, group president, Global Activewear, Hanesbrands Inc. “With Champion’s dedication to creating apparel that helps athletes perform at their highest level, while incorporating design for true self-expression on and off the course, we’re excited that both athletes and consumers will benefit from this new partnership. Entering the world of cycling is a natural progression for our brand and a thrilling new chapter for us.”

“Levi’s has proudly been the choice of bold self-expressive youth for generations,” said Jennifer Sey, chief marketing officer, Levi Strauss and Co.  “In this spirit, we are honored to support BMX Freestyle’s Team USA in the lead up to the 2020 Olympics and the team’s inaugural appearance at the games. We’re excited to see the team rock their Levi’s, and Champion gear of course, both on and off the course.”

Posted October 9, 2019

Source: USA Cycling