NOCSAE Board Takes Action On Football and Baseball/Softball Equipment Standards
At the winter meeting of the NOCSAE Board of Directors, held Jan. 20 and 21, several sporting goods equipment issues were addressed by the NOCSAE Board. In its most immediate decision, the NOCSAE board voted to move the proposed Youth Football Helmet Standard to draft status. The Board also voted to move the proposed standard for a fielder’s helmet for baseball and softball to final status...(2/3/2012)

Foot Locker Amends Credit Agreement
Foot Locker Inc. said that on Jan. 27, 2012, it entered into an amended and restated credit agreement. The restated credit agreement provides for a five-year asset-based revolving credit facility under which up to $200 million initially will be available... (2/2/2012)

Hillerich & Bradsby Appoints VP of Marketing
Hillerich & Bradsby Co., parent of the Louisville Slugger brand, has named Kyle Schlegel vice president of marketing. Schlegel joins H&B after a 13-year career of increasing responsibility in the marketing division of consumer packaged goods giant Proctor & Gamble...(2/2/2012)

Kantar: Comps Store Sales up 4.9 Percent in January
Retail same-store sales stepped up to a 4.9 percent gain in January largely on the back of improved results from a few retailers such as Costco and Target, according to Kantar Retail. The sales-weighted composite for the 21 retailers reporting—most of them apparel retailers—was better than the 3.6 percent same-store sales gain last month and the 4.2 percent gain in January of 2011...(2/2/2012)

New Balance Partners with Playworks
The New Balance Foundation announced a national partnership with Playworks, a national nonprofit organization that supports learning and a positive school climate by providing healthy, inclusive play and physical activity, to expand the power of play to more than 130,000 students in 23 cities across the country...(2/2/2012)

Target's Comps Grow 4.3 Percent in January
Target Corporation reported that its net retail sales for the four weeks ended Jan. 28, were $4.61 billion, an increase of 5.1 percent from $4.38 billion for the four weeks ended Jan. 29, 2011. On this same basis, January comparable-store sales increased 4.3 percent...(2/2/2012)

Costco's January Comps Climb 9 Percent
Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $7.0 billion for the month of January, the four weeks ended Jan. 29, an increase of 11 percent from $6.30 billion during the similar period last year...(2/2/2012)