Under Armour yesterday announced several promotions and additions, with COO KIP FULKS adding the President of Product title and HENRY STAFFORD now serving as President of North America. Fulks also will lead product development, innovation, supply chain and IT. Stafford will oversee North America Wholesale, Retail Marketing, Global Retail and Global E-Commerce. UA also announced the addition of Ralph Lauren President of Factory Store Coincepts SUSIE MCCABE as Senior VP/Global Retail andExpress Senior VP/E-Commerce JASON LAROSE as Senior VP/Global E-Commerce (UA). Stafford previously served as Senior VP/Apparel, Outdoor & Accessories (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/22).
COMPETITION CONTINUES: In Portland, Allan Brettman noted adidas Group yesterday promoted Managing Dir North GIL STEYAERT to Managing Dir Western Europe, starting in November. GAVIN THOMSON has "been appointed as Steyaert's replacement" starting in January (OREGONLIVE.com, 10/22). Also in Portland, Matthew Kish noted the moves came as Nike "is closing the gap in Europe." Western Europe is the "biggest sales territory for Adidas, but it's been struggling there." In the first six months of this year, sales in Western Europe fell 9% on a currency neutral basis to roughly $2.6B. Nike's sales grew nearly 5% in the six months that ended Aug. 31 to $2.3B (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/22).
