While point-of-sale data show triple-digit gains in soccer apparel and equipment sold through official channels in the World Cup year, the counterfeit market is threatening legitimate sales through e-commerce channels and by increasing production scale.

Friend is leaving the Berm after more than 17 years, with the last six as EVP and CFO, and will be succeeded by Pfizer EVP and CFO Dave Denton effective Aug. 16, then separate from the company on Sep. 4.

The Australian distributor and licensee of nearly two dozen footwear and apparel brands called Frasers Group’s unsolicited below-market offer of A$0.65 in cash per share “highly opportunistic” and recommended that its equity holders take no action.

The Chinese footwear manufacturer for Wolverine Worldwide and other brands said that revenues slipped 3% for the fiscal year ended Mar. 31, resulting in a net loss of between HK$70 and HK$75 million for the period.

The Japanese trading giant has acquired the sales and license rights for Champion from Authentic Brands Group to market and license the brand in the Land of the Rising Sun, targeting sales of roughly ¥35.0 billion ($223.1 mm) in three years.

Mo Farah’s running app raised an unspecified seven-figure funding round led by existing backer 10XU and a group of private investors.