Nike on Thursday "filed a burst of patent applications, including two dozen for new technology, the latest sign of the industry's ongoing digital shift and the sportswear giant's aggressive effort to stay ahead of competitors," according to Matthew Kish of the PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL. The 64 patent applications filed "include several for activity monitoring devices and one for music streaming for athletes." Kish noted the "flurry of applications shows Nike is putting significant resources behind its ongoing efforts to come up with the next big thing," as innovation has been a "focal point" under President, Chair & CEO Mark Parker. Nike has been "awarded 639 patents this year, a company record" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/1).
SWEET '16: adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted noted the company is "growing 30% in the U.S." and said '16 is projecting to be the "best year ever in the company." He said, "We are having a great year, but I feel very confident there is much more to be gotten out of our stock and also out of the performance.” Rorsted said the company is seeing “very strong holiday sales here" and "dramatic growth" in China. adidas is seeing growth in part because its products are now being considered by many to be a hot commodity. Rorsted said, “One of the big differences for us is that we've moved a lot of our innovation for the U.S. to the U.S., so we're becoming much more relevant with a U.S. consumer or the young athlete with a fashion persona, whereas before it was probably a more European view.” He said the company also is becoming "more brave." Rorsted: "We've taken more chances using new materials, new designs, and that's resonating with the consumer” ("Squawk on the Street," CNBC, 12/1).
