Eighty-8 will continue to operate as a local subsidiary of Fast Fitness Japan as the master franchisee for Anytime Fitness in Germany.
Category: Sports/Fitness

EXEC: Big 5 CEO Details Q1 Challenges; Offers Tepid Outlook for Near Term
The retailer has continued to feel the effects from the ongoing macro headwinds that are impacting consumer discretionary spending in the second quarter-to-date as same-store sales are running down despite a benefit from an extra day due to the Easter shift.

Wolverine Worldwide Enters Licensing Agreements for Merrell and Saucony Brands
WWW entered two new global licensing agreements as part of its ongoing “strategic transformation” into a brand-led growth company for Merrell and Saucony kids footwear and Merrell apparel and accessories.
Big 5 Sporting Goods Falls to Q1 Loss as Comps Fall 13.5 Percent
The company said the calendar shift of the Easter holiday, during which the company’s stores were closed, from Q2 2023 to Q1 2024, negatively impacted sales comparisons by approximately 100 basis points.

Unrivaled Sports Acquires Under the Lights Powered by Under Armour
Founded in 2015, Under the Lights Powered by Under Armour operates 170 local flag football leagues with 35,000 boys and girls from first through eighth grades, organizing events for over 5,000 teams in 27 states.

Fanatics Adds Sunderland AFC to Football Club Portfolio
Fanatics becomes the exclusive operator for the Club’s online and stadium store and includes a significant investment in a new retail store at the Stadium of Light.

Vista Outdoors Postpones Investor Day as it Measures Suitor’s Interest
Initially scheduled for May 29, the event will now take place early in the fall at the company’s Adventure Sports headquarters in Irvine, CA. The company will share the rescheduled date closer to the event.

Vuori and ENDVR’s Strategic Alliance: Driving Sales Growth in Wholesale Channels, Part 3
This is Part 3 of 3 in a series of sponsored posts from ENDVR.

One Stop Sports Rebrands to Replay Sports Cards
With national expansion on the horizon, the team is focused on building a “robust” training program for future Replay Sports Cards shops nationwide. Community Franchise Group is assisting in the company’s growth.

EXEC: Adidas Swings to Q1 Profit as DTC Drives Top-Line Growth
Footwear revenues grew 13 percent in Q1, said to be driven by the strong brand momentum, particularly in the Originals and Football categories, and Apparel sales were up 2 percent in the period. Accessories grew 1 percent.

Wolverine Worldwide Appoints Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
Dave Latchana was promoted to chief legal officer and corporate secretary, overseeing the company’s legal, compliance, corporate communications, risk management, ESG, security, and loss prevention functions.

Tailwind Nutrition Hires VP of Marketing
Kristen Flemington joins the company from Dutch Bros Coffee where she provided integrated marketing support prior to the company going public in 2021.

Gymshark Names Adidas Exec As First Wholesale and Retail Boss
Hannah Mercer joins the activewear brand after working at Adidas for six years as global vice president, where she reportedly “masterminded and executed the brand’s global retail strategy.”

Life Time Appoints Chief Science Officer
James LaValle, clinical pharmacist, C.C.N.M.T., as chief science officer to “spearhead the development and implementation of scientific initiatives and strategic relationships” to support Miora, Life Time’s new longevity and performance program.

EXEC: Kappa Retail Stores in China See Comp Sales Decline in Fiscal Q4
Same-store sales recorded a high-single-digit decline on a year-over-year basis for Kappa-branded stores that have been in operation since the beginning of the prior-year fourth quarter.