Amped Fitness, the Florida-based HVLP chain, is making its debut this summer in Houston, TX, with the opening of two new clubs, Amped Fitness Willowbrook and Amped Fitness Gessner
Author: SGB Media

EXEC: SFIA State of the Industry Report Reveals Healthy Industry Profits in 2024
Besides tariffs and economic concerns, the SFIA State of the Industry Report outlines that industry executives are pleased with recent performance results and are upbeat about prospects.

Hydro Flask and Osprey Parent Helen of Troy Sees CEO Exit; CFO Takes Reins
Helen of Troy Limited, the parent of Hydro Flask, and Osprey, said Noel Geoffroy has resigned as CEO and has departed, effective immediately. Brian Grass, chief financial officer, has been appointed interim CEO.

Escalade’s Q1 Sales Slide 3 Percent
Escalade, Inc. reported improved earnings climbed 44.4 percent with a boost from improved gross margins. Sales were down 3.2 percent, although growth was achieved in archery, outdoor games, darting, and safety categories.

Lowa Names New U.S. General Manager as Peter Sachs Plans Retirement
Peter Sachs is stepping down as the brand’s USA general manager, with Lance Taylor, an outdoor industry veteran, assuming the role. Taylor worked at Salomon for 17 years, most recently as head of its Outdoor National Business Unit.

Nite Ize Expands Portfolio; Acquires Orange Screw
An alternative to tent stakes and anchoring devices, Orange Screw products come in two sizes, 12.25- and 9.5-inch, and are used for various outdoor applications, including securing tents, canopies and landscape elements.

SGB Media Relaunches SGB Sports & Fitness Update Newsletter
The publishing company, which has focused on the active lifestyle market since 2003, is now delivering a weekly SGB Sports & Fitness Update email newsletter each Friday afternoon, except for holidays, to provide a focused view and weekly wrap of the top stories of the week for sports and fitness industry professionals heading into the weekend.

Report: Performance FW Outperforms Total FW Market in Q1; Running Grows 7 Percent
The retail tracking and market advisory firm reported that Sport Lifestyle, or athleisure sneakers, once again was the largest footwear segment, growing almost 1 percent for the quarter. Performance Footwear grew 4 percent during the period, led by Running.

EXEC: Johnson Outdoors Cites Strong Demand for New Product Despite Market Woes
Camping & Watercraft Recreation sales were down 12 percent, with growth in Jetboil partially offsetting the declines in Watercraft and the exit of the Eureka! business.

Puma Plans to Move London HQ to Manchester
The 20,000-square-foot space will house Puma sales, marketing, merchandising, finance, operations and direct-to-consumer departments.

Pvolve Signs Four New U.S. Franchise Studio Deals
The newly signed deals “mark a strategic expansion into key regions,” in Orange County, CA; Lincoln Park, IL; Barrington, RI; and Pleasantville, NY.

Kohl’s BOD Terminates New CEO for Cause; Forecasts Q1 Comps Down in Mid Singles
Multiple sources are publishing that Buchanan was terminated after an investigation found that he violated the retailer’s code of conduct by entering into a “highly unusual” business deal.

Winchester Ammo Expects Q2 Gain After Q1 Sales Dip on Commercial Ammo Decline
The segment’s decrease in sales was said to be primarily due to lower commercial ammunition sales, partially offset by higher military sales and military project revenue. The company expects Winchester’s Q2 results to improve sequentially.

Traeger Swings to Q1 Profit on Grill Growth; Sets Pricing Increase and Expense Cuts
In light of the uncertain demand environment and to promote balance sheet health, the company has significantly reduced purchase orders on grills and will reassess purchase plans with further sell-through data in the coming months.

Crunch Franchise to Open in Oklahoma
Crunch OKC Midwest City in Midwest City, OK, will open this fall. The 47,000-square-foot fitness facility will be located in the Uptown Center next to Family Dollar.