EF Education First (EF), the world leader in international education, announced that experienced sport and fitness executive Mary Wittenberg has joined EF as president of EF Pro Cycling. Wittenberg will help position the team for future success and promote EF’s mission of opening the world through education by encouraging people to step outside of their comfort zones and explore the world.
Category: Sports/Fitness
Spartan Race/24 Hour Fitness Float Heading To Rose Parade
24 Hour Fitness will be introducing a Spartan Race-themed float for Pasadena’s 130th Rose Parade.
Amazon Sees Record Holiday Sales
Amazon announced a “record-breaking holiday season” with athleisure cited as a “top trend” and Nike, Adidas, Carhartt and Champion landing on its top-sellers list.
2018 Year In Review: Most-Read SGB Executive Stories
SGB Executive covered an array of sporting goods, outdoors and active lifestyle stories in 2018, but clearly some topics resonated with readers more than others. Our list of the 25 most popular SGB Executive stories during the past 12 months ranges from channel upheaval to companies taking a stance on social issues to new executive appointments to brands’ financial success or sluggishness.
Mastercard: U.S. Retail Sales Grew 5.1 Percent This Holiday Season
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which provides insights into overall retail spending trends across all payment types, including cash and check, holiday sales increased 5.1 percent to more than $850 billion this year – the strongest growth in the last six years. Online shopping also saw large gains of 19.1 percent compared to 2017. The apparel category saw its strongest growth since 2010.
2018 Year In Review: M&A Goes Outside The Box
A healthy dose of straightforward mergers and acquisitions occurred in the sporting goods, outdoor and active lifestyle industries in 2018, but a handful of unconventional deals stole the spotlight. Outside-the-box transactions—which garnered much more attention than traditional ones—included a consortium of Chinese investors and a well-known active lifestyle name purchasing Amer Sports (pictured).
Wall Street Reacts: Nike Q219
With better-than-anticipated revenue and gross margins driven by a healthy innovation cycle, an acceleration of growth in North America and continued digital momentum, Nike reported second-quarter earnings and revenues that handily topped Wall Street targets and wowed many analysts. Here’s what some had to say.
Cycling App Zwift Raises $120 Million In Funding
Zwift, a multiplayer online training and racing platform for cyclists and runners, announced $120 million in funding, reflecting its commitment both to growing its new running discipline and also to expanding into esports.
Mindbody To Be Acquired By San Francisco-Based PE Firm For $1.9 billion
Mindbody the software company that provides technology platforms for fitness and wellness studios, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners.
Adidas Extends Deal With Juventus
Juventus Football Club S.p.A., the Italian professional football club colloquially known as Juve, and Adidas Italy S.p.A. have modified the official partner agreement and extended the term of the agreement until 30 June 2027.
Nike North America Bounces Back To Near Double Digit Growth In Q2
Led by a continued resurgence in North America, accelerated growth in China and continued gangbuster digital growth, Nike reported Q2 earnings and sales easily topped Wall Street’s targets and lifted its guidance for the year. Said Andy Campion, CFO, “As we’re beginning to gain greater insight into fiscal year ’20, we’re seeing continued strong demand.”
Aisle Talk Week Of December 17
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Thule Group’s announcement of the acquisition of rooftop tent maker Tepui Outdoors Inc. for $9.5 million.
Top of the World Signs New Licensing Partnership With UConn
Top of the World, a leading collegiate apparel and headwear licensee, has inked a deal with the University of Connecticut to become the school’s exclusive apparel and headwear licensee in all mass channels of distribution.
PepWear Partners With Music For All
PepWear and Music for All have agreed to a new 10-year merchandise and sponsorship agreement.
Varsity Spirit Gives Back With More Than $6.5 Million in National Fundraising Efforts
Varsity Spirit, the leader in cheerleading and dance, said its fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospita now totals more than $6.5 million since 2011.
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