Early Holiday reads from analysts are suggesting consumer spending should not take a big hit from macro pressures, though the shorter season this year and fight for ad time with the presidential election will demand innovative promotional strategies.

The ratings agency lowered the rating on VFC’s senior unsecured notes ratings to Ba1 from Baa3, and also dropped its ratings on other debt by a notch, while assigning the company a Ba1 corporate family rating.

Adjusted sales of sporting goods/hobby/book and music stores declined for the eighth straight month, falling 3.6% year-over-year to $8,169 million from $8,474 million in the key Back-to-School period, according to Commerce Dept. data.

The Big a opened a 5,390-sq.-ft. store on Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood using a minimalist design from Adidas’ in-house creative team, with two distinct rooms and “The Lab,” which spotlights the brand’s stories and collaborations.

Freedom is shuttering its Carson City, NV ammo component plant by the end of the year and shifting production of X-Treme brand bullets to its facilities in Lewiston, ID.

Wilson is suing MGBC, LLC (dba Gators Baseball Academy) in IL district court, accusing them of breach of contract after they attempted to terminate an endorsement agreement early, claiming it would result in Wilson losing at least $1.2 million in sales.