Profits at the high-end fitness club chain rose 43.1 percent on an adjusted basis in the third quarter on a 17.9 percent revenue gain. Sales were at the low end of guidance but earnings topped expectations.
Category: Sports/Fitness

Circana Delivers Muted Holiday Retail Outlook
Holiday spending is expected to come close to last year’s results but could fall short by as much as 2.5 percent during the traditional November and December shopping season, according to Circana’s annual Holiday Purchase Intentions study. The outlook was slightly improved when holiday sales falling in October are included.

Shimano’s YTD Sales Tumble 20 Percent on Cycling Weakness
Shimano, Inc.’s sales tumbled 19.8 percent in the nine months as sales in its Bicycle Components segment dropped 24.8 percent with the decline tied to high inventories in the IBD channel. The Japanese-based company nonetheless slightly raised its outlook for the year as orders in the back half weren’t as soft as expected.
Pure Hockey Set to Open Second Ohio Location
Pure Hockey reported plans to open two stores in Ohio in late October—one in Mayfield Heights and the other in Columbus.

Report: September Golf Rounds Show Uptick
Golf Datatech reported that U.S. golf rounds played were up 1.6 percent year-over-year in September and increased 3.8 percent year-to-date, according to the research firm’s latest National Rounds Played Report for September 2023.

Puma’s Q3 Profits Drop On Currency Effects; Confirms Annual Guidance
Puma’s earnings fell 9.6 percent due to currency headwinds, weakness in North America and higher expenses. However, higher-than-expected revenues due to momentum in Europe, a recovery in China as well as stronger-than-expected margins led the German-based company to reiterate its guidance for the year.
VF Corp. Appoints Former Nike President to Board
VF Corp. appointed former Nike executive Trevor A. Edwards to the company’s Board of Directors, effective October 22. Edwards served as president of Nike, Inc. from 2013 until 2018.
Nike Launches Connected Partnership Program with Hibbett Sports
Nike added Hibbett, Inc. as the latest partner for its Connected Partnership loyalty program, enabling its customers to access Nike member products and services.

Tennis Warehouse Acquires Swetka’s Tennis Shop
Tennis Warehouse, the tennis retailer based in Luis Obispo, CA, reported that it recently acquired Swetka’s Tennis Shop in Mountain View, CA, a fixture in the Bay Area tennis community for over 50 years.
Vista Outdoor Removed from S&P CreditWatch After Ammo Business Sale
S&P Global Ratings removed the debt ratings of Vista Outdoor, Inc. from CreditWatch with negative implications following the company’s announcement that it planned to sell its sporting products business to Czechoslovak Group A.S for $1.91 billion on a cash-free, debt-free basis.

Continental Tire Names QBP Preferred N.A. Distributor; Implements MAP
Continental Tire named Quality Bicycle Products its preferred distributor in the U.S. and Canada, making its products more accessible to more retailers.
Baffin Introduces Tailgate Footwear, CUSH (CFL)
Baffins introduced Cush (CFL), a limited-run extension of its Hybrid Slipper Collection, with the logos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and all nine teams.
Fleet Feet Rings the Bell on Wooster, OH Store Grand Opening
Fleet Feet, the largest franchisor of specialty run stores, officially announced its Wooster, OH store, which opened in late July, will host a grand opening.

Academy Sports Names Sam Johnson President as Mullican Departs
The retailer announced that Michael Mullican is stepping down as president to pursue personal and professional opportunities. Sam Johnson, EVP of retail operations, is his successor, effective immediately.

Topgolf Sets Opening Date for Memphis Location
Topgolf reported it will open a new venue in Memphis, TN, on October 27 about 20 minutes from downtown. This is the sports entertainment company’s fourth in the state, with other venues in Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville.