Marketplace Roundup

Hudson's Bay Co. (HBC) President Jeff Sherman conceded that his company "dropped the design ball" as the official outfitter of the Canadian Olympic team during the '08 Beijing Games, but said that he "expects 2010 Olympic wear will receive a far better reaction" when it is unveiled tomorrow. Sherman: "I don't think that what we did for Beijing was representative of what the company is capable of doing. It didn't transcend the time frame of the Games and it wasn't something people would put into their everyday wardrobe." He noted that HBC chose to "embrace heritage and tradition" for the '10 Vancouver Games line (VANCOUVER SUN, 9/30).

Fowler Inks Apparel Deal With Puma Golf

TRYING TO GET IN SHAPE: Vancouver-based Nautilus Inc. yesterday said that it is "putting its money-losing commercial business on sale as part of a previously announced plan to focus on profitable retail and direct-to-consumer sales." The fitness equipment manufacturer said that it will "either sell its entire commercial business as one entity or sell individual assets, which include a manufacturing facility and three warehouses in Virginia, the StairMaster cardio brand and a commercial indoor cycling line" (OREGONLIVE.com, 9/29).

THE BIG CAT: Puma announced a marketing deal with golfer Rickie Fowler in which the company will become Fowler’s official supplier of golf products on and off the course. Fowler will wear Puma apparel, headwear and footwear while competing. He also will be featured in the company’s Spring/Summer 2010 marketing campaigns (Puma).

DONUT BREAK: Boston-area kids yesterday during a Dunkin' Donuts-sponsored tour of Fenway Park "got a surprise batting lesson" from Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia, an endorser for the company. The tour also included a Q&A with Pedroia (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/30).