Brooks reported strong brand demand in the first quarter across retail channels as it surmounted pandemic-related supply chain and inventory hurdles and brought innovation to market through new products and experiences.
Brooks’ product innovation and human-based insights continue as the brand “looks to meet the evolving needs of runners.” Brooks’ advancements in nitrogen-infused midsoles, offered in its cushion, speed, and trail shoe, provide runners with products that “meet their unique needs.”
In January, Brooks introduced the Hyperion Max to its speed category, featuring nitrogen-infused DNA Flash and Rapid Roll rocker technology, with plans to amplify cushioning and rocker technology in new releases later in 2023.
Brooks’ cushioning is also present in its Glycerin franchise, with “sales up 200 percent year-over-year.” In March, the company announced that the Glycerin GTS 20 took the lead market share in premium-priced adult running stability shoes ($150+) at U.S. retail and was named a finalist in April by Shape magazine in its Best Shoes for Walking category.
Brooks expanded its performance trail product line with the High Point trail apparel collection. The brand also launched the Catamount 2 trail shoe, featuring the SkyVault propulsion plate and TrailTrack rubber outsole.
In April, Brooks released its annual Corporate Responsibility Performance Report, communicating progress toward its corporate responsibility commitments.
In January, Brooks’ near and long-term science-based emission targets were approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Following those targets, the company “reduced Scope 3 carbon emissions per unit of production by 6 percent from 2021.” Brooks also launched the carbon-neutral Ghost 15 in 2022, offsetting “53,140 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions through high-quality offsets to make its largest volume product carbon neutral.”
In line with Brooks’ commitment to maintaining an ethical and sustainable supply chain, Brooks implemented TrusTrace, a “leading traceability software, to deepen visibility across its manufacturing supply chain and help identify and mitigate responsible sourcing and business continuity risks.”
Also summarized in the report, Brooks’ outlined its progress in “fostering a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. In 2022, Brooks’ representation of women among global employees was 54 percent (up 1 percent from 2021, outpacing its goal of 50 percent).” The company said it “exceeded its goal of 30 percent-plus representation of BIPOC among U.S. employees by 35 percent in 2022, and for the third consecutive year, Brooks achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices and benefits pertinent to LGBTQ+ employees.”
In 2022, Brooks reported it “invested $5.4 million in community impact initiatives” to support youth running and partners that advance people’s health and wellbeing.” In March, Brooks launched Future Run, its youth running initiative championing kids and helping them “discover the lifelong benefits of the run and its community.” Future Run “aims to reach one million young runners in the U.S. over the next five years, supported by a $10 million investment in youth running teams, organizations and coaches.” Parkrun, the largest weekly free community event for runners and walkers and Brooks’ new global partner “hit a new participation record in April at over 320,000 runners and walkers worldwide.”
At the 127th Boston Marathon, ten Brooks athletes raced in the elite men’s, women’s and para-athletic fields. In her debut marathon performance, Erika Kemp, who joined team Brooks in March, ran 2:33:57, making her the Erika Kemp is the fastest U.S.-born Black woman marathoner.
Timed with the Boston Marathon, Brooks launched the Des x Run Boston collection, designed in collaboration with Brooks’ Chief Running Advisor Des Linden, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her 2018 Boston Marathon win. The collection includes the Hyperion Tempo training shoe , apparel emblazoned with Des’ mantra, “Keep Showing Up” and a reflective, weather-proof Run Visible jacket.
