Ace Pickleball Club Plans National Rollout

Ace Pickleball Club, an operator of indoor pickleball facilities, announced further expansion plans with over 50 franchises sold in the U.S., including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

EXEC: Department Stores Stung by Apparel Category Woes

Macy’s, Nordstrom, Kohl’s, and Dillard’s saw sales decline in the second quarter as the retailer’s core apparel category faced promotional pressures and weak demand. The active category was a bright spot for Nordstrom, but continued to struggle at Macy’s and Kohl’s.

True Fitness Resets Sales Organizational Structure

True Fitness announced several changes, effective immediately, to its dealer/distribution and direct sales teams, including hiring Dave Whitman as retail sales manager, Marshall Hansen as distribution director for North America, Kurt Parker as director of direct sales, Dean Bowrosen, senior distribution director for the East, and John Talley, senior distribution manager for the West.

EXEC: Gap Confident in Athleta’s Turnaround Prospects

Athleta’s same-store sales were down in the second quarter for the third quarter in a row but showed improvement sequentially with sales of performance bottoms accelerating. On its analyst call, Gap Inc. officials expressed confidence in the ability of Athleta’s new leadership team, led by former Alo Yoga’s president Chris Blakeslee, to guide the continued recovery.

Hibbett’s Q2 Profits Tumble Year-Over-Year, Top Wall Street’s Targets

Hibbett, Inc.’s second-quarter profits fell 55.9 percent but still topped analyst targets with some strength in footwear offsetting apparel weakness. The sporting goods chain reiterated its full-year outlook, bucking a trend that saw competitors, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, lower guidance this week.