Remark Closes on $16 Million Series A Funding Round
The round was led by Inspired Capital, with participation from Stripe, Neo, Spero Ventures, Shine Capital, and Visible Ventures, bringing the company’s total funding to $27 million. Remark describes itself as an AI company making online shopping more human.
Foreign Rider Opens Flagship Store in Salt Lake City
The store also serves as a gallery, allowing customers to “touch and feel each fabric, to see where the product fits into travel, daily performance and recovery,” the company stated in a media release.
Champs Sports Reopens Tampa and Portland Stores with “Reimagined” Concept
The Tampa and Portland stores are located in “dynamic markets, making them ideal locations to unveil a new store experience that reflects our brand ethos. —Tony Aversa, senior vice president and general manager of Champs Sports
Altri Acquires Majority Stake in Fiber Specialist AeoniQ
Portuguese fiber producer Altri SGPS S.A. has agreed to acquire a majority interest in Swiss clean technology company AeoniQ to support the commercial-scale development of a biodegradable cellulose-based filament designed to replace polyester and nylon.
StockX Names Senior Director of Customer Community and Engagement
Brendan Dunne will oversee editorial content and deepen the company’s connection with its audience of primarily Millennials, Gen Z, and increasingly, Generation Alpha. Previously, Dunne worked at Complex, overseeing editorial strategy, partnerships and content.
Cascale Appoints Former Nike Senior Exec as Interim CEO
Harsh Saini, who currently serves on Cascale’s Board of Directors, will lead the non-profit in advancing its key 2025 strategic priorities while it continues its global search for a permanent CEO.
Puma Extends Partnership with Borussia Dortmund
Puma’s partnership with Borussia Dortmund (BVD), the second most decorated German football team, with eight domestic league championships, five DFB-Pokals and six DFL-Supercups, began with the 2012/13 season.
EXEC: Columbia Sportswear Delivers Dour Outlook on Columbia Brand Weakness in U.S.
On its second-quarter analyst call, Tim Boyle, Columbia Sportswear’s chairman, CEO and president, warned that U.S. wholesale orders for the flagship Columbia brand would likely remain down at least through the first half of 2026 as efforts to revive demand for the brand are being undermined by conservative orders from retailers in the face of proposed tariffs.
Perfect Moment Raises $3M in Stock Sale
The London-based skiwear and activewear company reported that it sold 10 million shares for $0.30 a share. In addition, the company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.5 million shares to cover over-allotments
Report: Back-to-School Expected to Benefit from ‘Resilient’ Consumer
Placer.ai reported that overall U.S. retail traffic in early 2025 shows modest growth so far this year, boding well for the upcoming back-to-school season. Traditional back-to-school categories, such as sportswear and footwear, are expected to remain strong.
Auburn University Moves on from Under Armour; Inks 10-Year Nike Deal
Nike signed a 10-year deal to become the official outfitter of Auburn University’s athletic teams, beginning July 2025. Nike replaces Under Armour, which had supplied Auburn’s athletic teams since 2006.
Lululemon Sues Costco Over Alleged Copycat Yoga Pants
The brand is seeking a court order to prevent Costco from manufacturing, importing, advertising, and selling the alleged LULU counterfeit products. It also wants Costco to pull all ads that promote the products and is asking for compensation for lost profits.
Gaia Appoints CEO
Kiersten Medvedich, company president, has been promoted to CEO. She continues to report to Gaia Founder and Executive Chairman Jirka Rysavy. Medvedich joined Gaia in 2016 as senior director of content.
Big 5 Sporting Goods to Go Private via Acquisition by Specialty Golf Retailer and PE Firm
The retailer has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by a partnership comprised of Worldwide Golf and Capitol Hill Group, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $112.7 million in enterprise value, including the assumption of roughly $71.4 million in credit line borrowings as of June 29, 2025.
EXEC: Citi Survey Finds Adidas’ Brand Perception Catching Up to Nike
Citi Research’s latest quarterly Global Sporting Goods Survey found that Nike out-ranked Adidas in terms of intent to purchase and is the athletic brand consumers perceive as the most innovative in North America. However, Adidas tied Nike for the highest Net Promoter Score (NPS) among athletic brands in June, highlighting the popularity of Adidas’ Terrace franchises
