EXEC: Pinarello Opens First U.S. Bottega Store in New York City
Pinarello has opened a Bottega store in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, marking the bike brand’s fourth global flagship and first outside of Europe…
EXEC: Paka Opens First U.S. Headquarters in Boulder
The Peru-based sustainable apparel brand, which uses alpaca fiber, opened its first U.S. headquarters in Boulder, CO. ten years after being founded.
EXEC: Nike Downgraded by Bank of America
Bank of America became the latest investment firm to lower its rating on Nike Inc. because the company’s turnaround is taking longer than expected.
Analyst Lorraine Hutchinson stated, “We see downside risk to EPS estimates and valuation as Nike’s innovation continues to be overshadowed by a pressured classics business, while category and macro pressures build.”
EXEC: Fox Factory Takes Hit on Marucci Sports Sale
Squared Up Holdings, LLC, an investor group led by Marucci’s senior management, completed the acquisition of Marucci Sports LLC for an enterprise value of $225 million, well below the $572 million it paid for the baseball bat and glove business in 2023.
EXEC: On Holding Draws Mostly Raves from Wall Street After Investor Day Event
Although some analysts questioned whether On can continue to rapidly expand on a premium-pricing model, the wide majority remained bullish on the Swiss sportswear brand’s prospects following its Investor Day this week that saw the company set a new three-year growth goal above expectations. Over 75 percent of the absolute net sales growth over the next three years is expected to come from running, lifestyle sneakers and apparel.
EXEC: Asics Corporation Establishes Onitsuka Tiger Subsidiary in Spain
Citing the Official Bulletin of the Commercial Registry (Borme), Spanish publisher Modae reported that Asics incorporated the company Onitsuka Tiger Iberia last July, with the “import, export, distribution, marketing, promotion, and retail sale (including online sales) of footwear, apparel, accessories, and related fashion and lifestyle products” as its corporate purpose.
EXEC: SFIA Sees Record Team Sports Participation Levels, Led by Outdoor Soccer, Basketball
Team sports participation reached a record 92.3 million Americans ages 6 and older in 2025, increasing 7.6 percent and marking a fifth consecutive year of growth, according to a new report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). Double-digit year-over-year gains were seen by outdoor soccer, basketball, cheerleading, fast-pitch softball and track & field.
EXEC: Oberalp Group Promotes Stefan Rainer to CEO
The Italian parent of Salewa, Dynafit, Pomoca, Wild Country, Evolv, and LaMunt promoted its chief sales officer to CEO as part of a planned transition. He succeeds Christoph Engl, who has led the Bolzano-based group since 2018.
EXEC: Inside the Rip Curl Reset and Year Ahead with KMD’s CEO and CFO
Earlier in the year, the company relocated global product creation teams to the head office in Torquay, Australia and reset the entire product line plan for Rip Curl with a reduction of more than 2,000 SKUs versus fiscal 2025.
EXEC: BSN Sports’ Terry Babilla to Retire
Terry Babilla, president, COO and long-time veteran of BSN Sports, is retiring from the team dealer giant at the close of September. Adam Blumenfeld, CEO at BSN’s parent Varsity Brands, in October will return to the role of CEO of BSN Sports while continuing in his current role.
EXEC: On Brand to Open Three Stores in Central Europe
The On brand is expanding its footprint across the German-speaking market with the debut of three new stores Austria and Germany. The store in Vienna will be the Swiss running brand’s first-ever store in Austria while locations in Munich and Düsseldorf will bring its store count in Germany to three doors.
EXEC: Solbari Expands U.S. Sales Rep Network
Solbari, the Australian sun protection apparel brand known for its UPF 50+ clothing, sun hats and accessories, announced that it has expanded its network of sales reps following its U.S. wholesale launch in May 2026.
EXEC: Lidl Banned from Selling Birkenstock Lookalikes
Lidl has been banned from selling lookalike versions of Birkenstock sandals in the Netherlands after a Dutch court ruled the company had infringed upon the German brand’s copyright.
EXEC: Italy’s MVC Group Acquires Bikepacking Specialist Tailfin
MVC Group, the Italian firm specializing in technical apparel for cycling and outdoor sports, acquired Tailfin, the UK-based maker of premium technical bikepacking equipment. Tailfin’s Founder, Nick Broadbent, and management team will continue to lead the brand while retaining a minority stake.
EXEC: Rapha’s CEO Fran Miller Resigns After Two Years
Fran Millar has stepped down as the CEO of Rapha after two years in the role. Her departure comes as the British cycling apparel brand posted its ninth straight year of losses and plans a major organizational restructuring aimed at cost-cutting and driving efficiency.
