SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
EXEC: Spain’s VivaGym Acquires Synergym
VivaGym, based in Malaga, Spain and owned by U.S.-based private equity firm Providence Equity Partners, has agreed to acquire Synergym International in a deal that will give it more than 450 fitness clubs in Spain and Portugal.
EXEC: Xtep Opens Six Stores in Malaysia
Xtep International Holdings, Ltd. opened six new stores in key Malaysian cities, advancing its aggressive Southeast Asia expansion strategy. The six new stores are strategically located in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, and Shah Alam.
EXEC: Raymond James Upgrades On Holding, Downgrades Deckers Ahead of Earnings
Analysts at Raymond James upgraded On Holding based on the stock’s recent pullback and its continued belief in On’s growth potential. The investment firm lowered its rating on Deckers Outdoor despite remaining “bullish” on the stock.
EXEC: Lululemon’s Shares Slide as CEO Pick Gets Mixed Reviews
Shares of Lululemon Athletica, Inc. dropped about 13 percent on Thursday on news of the appointment of former Nike veteran Heidi O’Neill as CEO. Analysts were mixed on the surprise choice, with some lamenting her lack of experience as a CEO and with turnarounds. Some felt Nike’s recent struggles have stained her reputation. The fact that O’Neill’s start date isn’t until September will also delay her making any impact.
EXEC: Ahead, Craft, and Cutter & Buck Parent Delivers Solid Q1 Growth in Tough FX Rate Environment
The Swedish owner of Ahead, Auclair, Cotton Classics, Craft, Cutter & Buck, Seger, and Tenson AB, said it reported growth in the first quarter despite generally weak market conditions in many countries. The integration of Cotton Classics is said to be progressing according to plan.
EXEC: Li Ning Posts MSD Gain in China Retail Sales in First Quarter
Li Ning Company, Ltd. reported that retail sell-through for the first quarter at Li-Ning POS, excluding Li-Ning Young, increased by mid-single digits year-over-year, marking a recovery following recent declines.
EXEC: WFSGI Elects Nike and New Balance Execs Board Co-Chairs
The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) elected Dave Wheeler, chief operating officer of New Balance, and Jorge Casimiro, chief public affairs and public policy officer at Nike, as co-chairs of its new Board, marking first time two American brands have led the federation together.
EXEC: Oakley, Supreme and Ray-Ban Parent Posts Double-Digit Q1 Growth in North America
EssilorLuxottica, the French parent company of Sunglass Hut, Oakley, Supreme and Ray-Ban, among other eyewear brands, is reporting that 2026 began with double-digit growth, with revenue increasing by 10.8 percent, or a 4.1 percent increase at current exchange rates.
Study: Adidas, New Balance, On, Skechers Gaining Globally In Social Visibility
In a just-released study, Heuritech, the Paris-based AI trend forecasting platform, expects an overall decline in the sneaker market in both Europe and the U.S. in 2026, but found Adidas surpassing Nike as the market share leader in the global women’s market, while New Balance, On, Mizuno, and Skechers were among brands seeing gains in social media visibility.
EXEC: Spy Optic and Serengeti to Join Smith Optics at Safilo
Safilo Group, the Italian parent of the Smith sunglasses brand, signed an exclusivity agreement with Bollé Brands to acquire the Spy+ (Spy Optic) and Serengeti eyewear brands.
EXEC: Saucony’s Q1 China Sales Trend Moderates from 2025 as Xtep Brand Accelerates
Xtep International Holdings, Ltd. reported retail sell-throughs for its flagship Xtep brand were flat year-on-year in the fourth quarter, while sell-throughs for its licensed Saucony business delivered over 30 percent year-on-year growth.
EXEC: Puma Appoints VP, Global Wholesale
Puma named Bertrand Blanc, an industry sales veteran who previously worked for Wilson, Asics and Nike, as its new vice president, global wholesale.
EXEC: JD Sports Fashion to Transition Board Chair Role in July
Higginson has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to step down as Board chair at the conclusion of the company’s Annual General Meeting on July 21, 2026. Independent non-executive director Darren Shapland will become interim chair following the 2026 AGM.
EXEC: Asian Manufacturer and Retailer Yue Yuen Issues Q1 Profit Warning on Cost Pressures
Yue Yuen Industrial Ltd. warned that profits in the first quarter are expected to plunge by 50 percent to 55 percent due to more cautious ordering from vendor partners, U.S. tariffs, higher labor costs and seasonal misalignments arising from the overlap of Lunar New Year holidays in mainland China and Vietnam.
EXEC: Puma Appoints Adidas Veteran to Head Sportstyle Business Unit
Puma appointed Laurent Fricker as VP of the Sportstyle business unit, starting June 1. Most recently, he was vice president of Originals, Basketball and Partnerships Europe at Adidas.
