Adobe reported in its Digital Price Index (DPI)* that online prices in June 2023 fell 2.6 percent year-over-year (YoY), the most significant decrease since May 2020, when prices fell 1.5 percent YoY.
Category: Sports/Fitness

NRF: Back-To-School Shopping Expected to Reach Record Levels
Back-to-school spending is expected to climb 12.4 percent while back-to-college shopping will increase about 27 percent this year as both tiers reach recording spending levels, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Quality Bicycle Products Cuts U.S. Work Force
In response to an over-inventoried supply chain that continues to pressure the bike industry, Quality Bicycle Products reported that it reduced its U.S. workforce by 5 percent on July 12. The workforce reduction reportedly affected multiple departments.

Diddy Launches Online Marketplace for Black Entrepreneurs
Sean “Diddy” Combs launched Empower Global (EG), an e-commerce platform for selling products created and sold by Black entrepreneurs.
Authentic Brands Group Names Chief Financial Officer
Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) named Kevin Wills as chief financial officer. Wills is based in the company’s New York headquarters and reports to Founder, Chairman and CEO Jamie Salter.
PickUp USA Basketball Gym Expands in Colorado
PickUp USA Fitness opened its latest club in the Denver market featuring multiple basketball courts and a full fitness room. Founded in California in 2012, PickUp USA is the largest basketball gym chain in the U.S.

Fanatics to Enter Sports Collectibles Events Business
Fanatics has partnered with IMG, the sports, events and talent management company, to launch Fanatics Events, a platform that will recreate the Comic-Con experience for sports collectibles.

Amazon Sees ‘Biggest Ever’ Prime Day
U.S. online sales rose 6.1 percent to $12.7 billion during Amazon’s Prime Day two-day sales from July 11- 12, according to Adobe Analytics, which measures transactions at U.S. retail sites. Amazon called the first 24 hours of Prime Day the “single largest sales day in company history,” but did not disclose total sales.
Srixon Sports Europe Opens U.K. Headquarters; Makes Key Promotions
The European subsidiary of the Srixon group opened a U.K. headquarters about forty miles southwest of London and ten miles from its former office location.
Zumiez, Inc. Appoints Foot Locker, Inc. Vet to Board
Zumiez, Inc. appointed Guy M. Harkless to its Board of Directors to serve as an independent Class II director for a term expiring at the company’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Harkless will also serve on Zumiez Audit Committee.
Smith’s Sporting Group Acquires Tanners Team Sports
Smith’s Sporting Group reported it acquired Tanners Team Sports, Inc. The two companies distribute over 1,000 products worldwide and nationally through specialty retailers and big box stores.
Puttshack Expands East Coast Presence to Baltimore
Puttshack signed a new lease at Baltimore, MD’s Harbor East, a retail, dining, and entertainment center, the company’s first in the state, projected to open in late 2024.
Crunch Fitness Franchisee Acquires Two Locations in Dallas, TX
Crunch Franchisee CR Fitness Holdings purchased two gyms in Allen and North Richland Hills in Dallas, TX. Formerly big-box gyms operating under a different brand, Crunch will take over the gyms on August 1, joining CR Fitness’ roster of 50 gyms across Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Rip Curl, Oboz Parent Reiterates NZ$1.1 Billion Sales Outlook for Fiscal Year
KMD Brands, the parent company of Rip Curl, Oboz and Kathmandu brands, reported it is on track to deliver a record A$1.1 billion in full-year sales, despite softening consumer sentiment in the fiscal fourth quarter.
Kyrie Irving Inks Five-Year Shoe Deal with Anta
Anta signed Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving to a new shoe deal running five years. The agreement comes after Irving and Nike ended their partnership last December.