JD Sports Fashion appointed Darren Shapland, an independent non-executive director, as interim chair, effective immediately, following its Annual General Meeting on July 21. His appointment follows the departure of Andrew Higginson, who announced in April that he intended to step down.
Author: SGB Executive
Salomon Appoints 20-Year Nike China Veteran as New GM for China
Vincent Du grew his career at Nike, having served in Nike Greater China for 20 years. His most recent role being vice president of merchandising for Greater China prior to his departure.
Bluesign Appoints New CEO
Swiss-based textile chemistry and manufacturing standards body Bluesign has appointed Hanane Taidi as its new chief executive. Most recently, Taidi was the director general of the TIC Council.
EXEC: Cycling OEM Specialist Acros Appoints Head of North America
Acros, the Germany-based maker of headsets, bottom brackets, hubs, and related components, appointed Jason Schiers as head of North America. Schiers is the founder of ENVE Composites, a former product developer for Reynolds Cycling and Crankbrothers/Selle Royal, and former general manager of GT Bikes.
EXEC: Thule’s Solid Q2 Hurt by FX Rate Impact, Iran War as Sales Inch Up 0.5 Percent
Net sales for the second quarter, the company’s lasrgest quarter for the year due to strength of the bike business, increased 0.5 percent on a reported basis to SEK 3,421 million ($365 mm), with organic sales increasing 2.5 percent year-over-year. Sport & Cargo Carriers accounted for 54 percent of total sales for the quarter.
EXEC: Anta Brand and Fila Each Deliver LSD China Retail Gain in Q2 for Anta Sports
Anta Sports Products, Ltd., which operates retail stores in China for the Anta brand, as well as Fila, Descente, Kolon Sport, and Amer Sports, reported that retail sales, in retail value, for the Anta brand in the second quarter saw low-single digit positive growth year over year.
EXEC: Saucony Sees Sharp Slowdown of China Retail Sales Growth in Second Quarter
Xtep International Holdings, Ltd. reported retail sell-throughs for its flagship Xtep brand declined mid-single-digits year-on-year in the second quarter, while sell-throughs for its licensed Saucony business delivered low-single-digit growth.
EXEC: Lululemon Cut to Sell by Truist Securities on Dimming Recovery Prospects
Truist Securities reduced its rating on Lululemon Athletica to “Sell” from “Hold” as the firm believes the yoga-themed retailer’s turnaround will prove more challenging than current price levels show.
EXEC: PWC Survey Finds Major Apparel Lift from GLP-1 Users, Mixed Payback for Fitness Activities
A recent PWC study found the apparel category driving huge benefit from GLP-1 drugs, with spending on the category increasing 9.9 percent within six to eight months after users start taking it. The impact on fitness is more mixed, with cardio activities experiencing healthy increases from GLP-1 adoption, but group fitness and strength training has seen little benefit.
EXEC: U.K.’s Shoe Zone Lifts Guidance on Improving Sales Trends
UK off-price shoe retailer Shoe Zone reported that sales over the last two months of May and June have come in ahead of market expectations. The company said the better-than-expected performance “was aided by the company’s warehouse closing down sale and favorable seasonal weather at half term.”
EXEC: Asia Footwear Manufacturer Stella International Sees Modest Growth in Q2
The China-based manufacturer of footwear for Nike, Saucony, Under Armour, Merrell, Timberland, Ugg and others reported unaudited consolidated revenue inched up 1.2 percent in the second quarter ended June 30, driven by a 1.3 percent increase in pairs.
EXEC: Frasers Group’s Sports Direct UK Segment Posts DD Profit Growth as Sales Decline
Frasers Group reported that profits at its UK Sports segment rose 17.6 percent in its fiscal year ended April 26 as higher gross margins tied to Sports Direct’s Elevation Strategy and reduced expenses offset sales declines due to store rationalization at its Game UK chain and restrained consumer spending. The retailer warned that consumer spending will likely remain challenging this year.
EXEC: Nylon Recycling Startup Syntetica Raises $30M with LULU Among Investors
Paris-based recycling startup Syntetica announced a €26.1 million ($30 million) Series A funding round to commercialize production of its virgin-quality recycled nylon. The round takes the total raised by the firm, founded in 2023, to $38 million.
EXEC: Mips AB Organic Growth Accelerates in Q2, Posting 42 Percent Increase
The Bike sub-category continued to perform very well in Q2, and the quarter reportedly marked the eleventh consecutive quarter of growth, following the post-pandemic slowdown in the sector as a whole.
EXEC: 361 Degrees Owned-Retail Sees Mid-To-High Single-Digit Growth in Q2
China-based 361 Degrees International, Ltd. reported that brick-and-mortar retail sales of 361º core-branded product delivered mid-to-high single-digit growth in the second quarter compared to the same period of 2025.
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