Latest news with #FinishLine
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Finish Line Campaign' Erases More than $83,000 of debt for Howard Community College Graduates, Continuing Students
Howard Community College COLUMBIA, Md., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Howard Community College (HCC) President Daria J. Willis today announced more than $83,000 of cleared institutional balances for graduating and continuing students at the institution. The 'Finish Line' fundraising initiative launched by the Howard Community College Educational Foundation (HCCEF) invited donors and supporters to help eliminate outstanding tuition and fee costs for 34 members of this years' graduating class and approximately 50 currently enrolled students to encourage their continuation at HCC. Students will now have one less burden associated with starting a career, transferring to a four-year institution, or soon moving towards degree completion. 'We are beyond honored to have the support of community members who help us meet our students where they dream every day,' said Willis. 'This first-of-its-kind HCCEF campaign is making a huge difference in the lives of our students and our county.' "I chose to support this initiative because I want to help students leave Howard Community College without debt," said Mildred Murray, a generous donor who is leading the effort. "I believe education is the key to building a stronger country—whether it's through a degree, a certificate, or a trades credential. An educated community is an empowered community." The inaugural fundraising campaign which lasted just over 30 days will culminate with HCC's 54th Commencement Ceremony on May 23, a momentous occasion where over 600 hardworking students will proudly walk across the stage to receive their degrees and certificates. However, the path to graduation is not always smooth. Some students face financial hurdles that can threaten to derail their dreams. "Far too often, rising costs prevent hard-working individuals from achieving their goals, and hinders economic mobility for families," said Jarrett Carter Sr., Vice President of External Affairs, Communications and Advancement. "We believe in the power of educational investment, and we are thrilled that a community of supporting donors is eager to partner with our administration and our students in such powerful ways." "Supporting students on their journey to graduation means helping them achieve their dreams and finish what they started," Murray added. "Each of us has the ability to make a meaningful impact. By giving students the opportunity to succeed, we're not just helping individuals—we're preparing future workers, leaders, and public servants who will help make our communities and country stronger." ABOUT HCC Since 1970, Howard Community College (HCC) has been a preferred college choice for students and families in Howard County, Maryland. A public community college, HCC offers associate degree and certificate programs, as well as workforce development training and continuing education classes, to nearly 22,000 credit and noncredit students each year. HCC received the 2019 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation's only presidential-level honor for performance excellence in organizations. Contact: Jarrett CarterHoward Community Collegeprmarketing@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UK's JD Sports falls on lower sales, US tariffs warning
HighlightsBritish sportswear retailer JD Sports experienced a 2% decline in first-quarter sales and warned that increased prices in the United States due to tariffs could negatively affect customer demand. The company's shares dropped by 6% following the announcement, reflecting a 30% decline over the past year, significantly underperforming the UK's bluechip index, which has risen by 4%. JD Sports aims to mitigate the potential impact of tariffs by diversifying the range of countries from which it sources goods while maintaining confidence in delivering improved shareholder returns through its multi-brand model. British sportswear retailer JD Sports posted a 2% fall in first-quarter sales and warned that higher prices in its key U.S. market from President Donald Trump's tariffs could hit customer demand, sending its shares down 6%. JD, which makes nearly 40% of its sales in the United States through its Finish Line , Shoe Palace and Hibbett stores, warned in April that profits would only grow slightly, if at all, this year, even before any potential impact from tariffs. The company is facing headwinds from a competitive and volatile market, worries over consumer spending and a drop-off in demand for Nike products, which account for 45% of its sales. Shares in JD Sports slid 6% to 87 pence in early deals. The stock has lost 30% over the last 12 months, underperforming Britain's bluechip index, which is up 4%. RBC analysts said the 2% drop in underlying sales for the 13 weeks to May 3 was softer than market expectations. The group said on Wednesday that while it had limited visibility on the impact from tariffs, it was taking action by further diversifying the range of countries from which it sources goods. The biggest potential impact would be a rise in the price of products for U.S. consumers, which could impact demand and dent confidence, JD warned. "The tariff impact, though manageable, keeps us on hold," Panmure Liberum said, adding that current weakness was an opportunity for long-term investors. JD, which also sells Adidas , On, HOKA and other sports brands from nearly 5,000 stores worldwide and online, did not on Wednesday give guidance for the current financial year. The consensus is for a 3% fall in pretax profit to 890 million pounds ($1.19 billion). In the medium term, JD said it remained confident of delivering improved shareholder returns and said it was well positioned given its multi-brand model and focus on costs.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
JD Sports cautions price rises for US customers thanks to tariffs
JD Sports has warned that prices of some products and services for US customers could rise following recently imposed tariffs. The sporting goods retailer said visibility on the possible impact from tariffs was low, but short-term consumer demand in the US may be affected. President Donald Trump has put a 10 per cent baseline tariff on US goods imports, as well as a 30 per cent tax on products from China, where JD's third-party brands source a significant amount of their stock. JD has expanded considerably in North America over the past few years, acquiring brands like Finish Line, Shoe Palace, and Baltimore-based DTLR. Its takeover of Hibbett in July last year helped the company's turnover in the region soar by £890million to £4.2billion in the 12 months ending 1 February. By comparison, JD said its UK revenues declined by 3.7 per cent to around £2.7billion due to the disposal of non-core businesses and a 'challenging UK retail environment.' The Bury-based firm's total turnover still rose by 12 per cent to £11.4billion as higher European sales offset lower domestic trade and footwear orders jumped by almost £900million to £6.8billion. However, its pre-tax profits shrank by 11.8 per cent to £715million, mainly because of a £53million increase in adjusting items and investment in new stores and distribution centres. JD also revealed its like-for-like sales were 2 per cent lower year-on-year in the first quarter of this financial year amid subdued consumer confidence in North America. Yet organic revenues expanded across all territories, including the UK, where they rose by 2 per cent thanks to beneficial weather. Régis Schultz, chief executive of JD Sports Fashion, said: 'Overall trading in the first quarter of the new financial year has been in line with our expectations in a volatile market. 'Despite this volatility, and uncertainty surrounding the impact of US tariff changes, we look forward into the medium term with confidence that we can continue to outperform the market, improve our profit margin and create significant value for our shareholders.' JD Sports Fashion shares nonetheless slumped 9.9 per cent to 83.8p by late Wednesday afternoon, making them the FTSE 100's biggest faller. Soon after taking over, Schultz unveiled an ambitious strategy for the company to open between 250 and 350 stores each year in key markets. On a net basis, the group launched 223 new JD outlets last year, including ones in Westfield Stratford City, the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, and on Paris's iconic Champs Élysées. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, remarked: 'JD has thrived on consumers' willingness to load up on the latest footwear, with many people viewing trainers and sneakers as collectables rather than functional items. 'It has also capitalised on the athleisure boom, selling a wide range of fitness clothing to the mass market. 'There is a risk both of these trends run out of steam or at least go through a temporary moment of weakness as individuals reassess their spending choices.'
Fashion Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
JD Sports shares fall as it reports lower profits, but it stays upbeat after year of acquisitions
Growth in its newer markets resulted in a 'better business balance geographically with North America generating 37% of revenue, Europe 31%, the UK 28% and Asia Pacific 4%'. Its retail stores grew revenue by 15.7% to £9.081 billion with the online channel declining 2.9% to £2.251 billion, 'reflecting the continued shift back to pre-pandemic online participation, our focus on online profitability and our investment in stores'. As a result, stores now represent 79% of its revenue and online is 20%, with 'other', mainly gym memberships, at 1%. The company stressed that it's channel-agnostic. Footwear continued to perform strongly with revenue growth of 15.2% to £6.819 billion, driven by its acquisitions being mostly footwear-focused, while apparel grew 4.2% to £3.55 billion. Accessories revenue grew by 4.8% to £702 million. This means 'we continue to build a good mix of products delivering a 'head-to-toe' shopping opportunity with footwear at 60%, apparel at 31% and accessories at 6% of revenue'. It ended the period with 4,850 stores worldwide, 1,533 more than at the start of the period, due mainly to the acquisitions of Hibbett and Courir, which added 1,485 stores. Across all fascias, 311 stores were opened and 263 stores were closed, including 66 from Finish Line and Macy's as it continued to rationalise the store portfolio. It also converted 29 stores to JD from Finish Line in the US and a further 21 to JD from other European fascias.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
UK's JD Sports warns US tariffs could hit prices and demand
LONDON: British sportswear retailer JD Sports posted a 2% fall in first-quarter underlying sales and warned that higher prices in its key U.S. market from President Donald Trump's tariffs could hit customer demand. JD, which makes nearly 40% of its sales in the United States through its Finish Line, Shoe Palace and Hibbett brands, warned in April that profits would only grow slightly, if at all this year, even before any potential impact from tariffs. The company is facing headwinds from a promotional market, worries over consumer spending and a drop off in demand for Nike products, which account for 45% of its sales. The group said on Wednesday that while it had limited visibility on the impact from tariffs, it was taking action by further diversifying the range of countries from which it sources goods. The biggest potential impact would be a rise in the price of products for consumers which could impact demand and dent confidence. 'Our strong and agile multi-brand model positions us well to navigate these market conditions and we are focused on controlling our cost base,' JD said in its statement. In the medium term, it said it remained confident of delivering improved shareholder returns.
