Aisle Talk Week of September 17

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including sales growth at Gregory Mountain Products and High Sierra helping Samsonite International S.A.’s financial performance in the six months ended June 30.

Technogym’s Revenues Climb In First Half

Technogym, based in Cesena, Italy, reported revenues on a currency-neutral basis increased 3.6 percent in the first half ended June 30 to €272.9 million and gained 8.3 percent on a currency-neutral basis. The gains were paced by significant growth in North America.

Champion To Open Store In Chicago

Champion Athleticwear is continuing to expand the company’s retail footprint with the company’s first store in Chicago and the company’s third in the U.S. overall. The store is at 1520 North Milwaukee Avenue.

NFL Experience In Times Square To Close

The Times Square-based NFL Experience—a 40,000-square-foot attraction featuring a 4-D roller-coaster theater—is closing doors on September 30 after being open for just 10 months, according to the New York Post. The project—a joint venture between the NFL and Cirque du Soleil—was not able to meet its financial goals.

Athleta to Introduce Men’s Athleisure Line

Gap Inc. announced the launch of Hill City, a men’s athleisure brand. Hill City is slated to launch mid-October available exclusively at hillcity.com, and pieces from the brand will also be displayed at 50 select Athleta locations.

Flowfold Hires Two New Sales Agencies

Portland, ME-based outdoor retail brand Flowfold has announced partnerships with two new sales agencies. Wasatch Reps will represent the Rocky Mountain Territory, including UT, WY, CO, and NM, and Everyday Adventure Reps (Bryan Duncan) will represent the Southwest Territory, including CA, AZ, and NV.

Mizuno Brings Back Project Zero

In its second year, Project Zero, a partnership with Fleet Feet and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, highlights personal stories of strength, perseverance and support, while donating a portion of proceeds from each purchase of the special edition Bcrf Waveknit R2 running shoes and other BCRF branded gear.

TackleBar Being Played In 21 States

Youth athletes in 21 states will be playing TackleBar, a safer version of football, this season. Players wear a helmet, shoulder pads and a harness around their waists with two foam bars that sit on the lower back that requires players to learn proper tackling technique.