EXEC: JD Sports Revises Medium Term Plan as Sport Fashion Market Growth Slows
The parent company of the JD, Hibbett, Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S. now expects the sport fashion sector to grow at a slower rate over the medium term and is adapting its plans to capitalize on growth opportunities and the investments already made in infrastructure over the last two years.
EXEC: JD Sports Posts “Broadly Flat” FY 2025 Sales; Sees Comp Sales Lower in FY 2026
The parent of the JD, Hibbett, Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S. reported 5.8 percent organic revenue growth for the 2025 fiscal year ended February 1. Total revenue in fiscal 2026 is expected to grow due to the impact of the acquisitions the company made during fiscal 2025.
Adidas Originals Returns to Golf
The full range of apparel, footwear and accessories for Originals Golf was relaunched on April 3. Adidas-sponsored athlete Ludvig Aberg will wear select pieces at this year’s first major golf tournament.
GoPro Expanding Board with Active Outdoor Lifestyle Brand Veterans
Appointee Mick Lopez held leadership roles at Vista Outdoors. Nominee Mike Dennison is currently CEO of Fox Factory and serves on the Boards of Fox Factory Holding Corp. and Solo Brands, Inc. and nominee Emily Culp serves on the Board of Stio.
The Athlete’s Foot Promotes Matt Lafone to CEO
Matt Lafone, president and GM of Americas, takes the helm as global CEO, steering TAF toward a unified vision with new operational and innovation strategies.
Former Puma CEO Jochen Zeitz to Exit Harley Davidson Leadership Role
The Board of Directors of Harley-Davidson, Inc. has confirmed that it is currently engaged in an ongoing CEO search process as part of the Board’s succession planning responsibilities.
VF Corp. Promotes Abhishek Dalmia to EVP and Chief Operating Officer
The company’s Board of Directors has named Dalmia as EVP and chief operating officer and principal operating officer, effective April 3, 2025. He has served as EVP and chief strategy, transformation and digital officer since March 2024.
SuperX Appoints Ryan DeLuca to Advisory Board
Through official partnerships with Marvel, Star Wars, Mortal Kombat, DC Comics, Hasbro, Ubisoft, Disney, and more, SuperX is going from a niche brand focused on creating superhero activewear to being recognized as a collaborative fitness brand for pop culture.
Puma SE Promotes Tara McRae to President of North America Unit
McRae, who previously led Puma’s marketing and brand strategy in North America, will assume the role immediately, replacing Bob Philion, who leaves the company after 20 years, including eights years as North America president.
EXEC: Oiselle Partners with New Majority Owner; Company Now Women-Owned Again
Margo Cramer, who has primarily been involved in the healthcare and the public sector over her career, but also had experience with Commando and Nike earlier in her career, is the new majority owner.
EXEC: Trump Threatens to Push China Tariffs to 104 Percent Total
At issue was what Trump said was an effort to strike a trade deal with China that would be fair to both sides. China’s latest move on Friday to assess a 34 percent retaliatory tariff apparently lit the fuse as Trump threatened to add another 50 percent to the total tariff.
Under Armour to Debut Regenerative Sportswear Collection at Milan Design Week
Under Armour aims in partnership with Unless “to demonstrate that innovation and responsibility can coexist by using plant-based, fully regenerative materials to redefine how premium sportswear products can be made and harmlessly returned to the earth at the end of their life cycle.”
EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz Owner First Vendor to Re-Direct Inventory Destined for U.S.
KMD Brands said that until its has more clarity on changes to consumer demand in the U.S., the Group will redirect some U.S. inventory to other key global markets, or hold inventory with existing international 3PL partners.
EXEC: Puma SE Names New CEO and Chair of Management Board; Freundt to Exit
Puma SE’s Supervisory Board has appointed Arthur Hoeld as chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Puma SE, effective July 1, 2025. Due to differing views on strategy execution, Arne Freundt, CEO of Puma SE, and the Supervisory Board have mutually agreed that he will step down as CEO on April 11, 2025.
EXEC: Decathlon’s 2024 Profit Falls as Sales Rise; New CEO Appointed
Javier López has been appointed as chief executive officer, replacing Barbara Martin Coppola who has served in the CEO role since March 2022.
