SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
EXEC: Bernstein Forecasts Potential $13BN Annual Apparel Spend Boost From GLP-1 Adoption
Growing adoption of GLP-1 drugs could boost annual apparel spending to $13 billion as users splurge on new apparel to support shrinking sizes during their weight-loss journeys, according to Bernstein Research. Athletic apparel brands, off-pricers and online personal styling services (e.g., Stitch Fix) are expected to be the big beneficiaries of the trend.
EXEC: Mainland Headwear’s 2025 Revenues Climb 15 Percent
Mainland Headwear Holdings Limited (Group), which manufactures headwear for New Era, Dickies, Oakley, and other major brands, reported that profits surged 107.6 percent in 2025 as sales climbed 15.4 percent.
EXEC: Analysts Eye Potential Fiscal Q3 Beat for Nike, Focus Shifts to Margin Recovery
Performance-based running product is gaining traction. Jordan Retro, new Air Max offerings, the recovery of Air Force 1, and a promising start to sales of Jordan Jumpman product in the Academy and family channels are leading the improvements in North America, wrote one Wall Street analyst.
EXEC: Saucony and Merrell Business Grows 31 Percent in Greater China in 2025
Revenue of the core Xtep brand increased by 1.5 percent year-over-year (y/y) while the revenue of the Professional Sports segment, which includes Merrell and Saucony in Greater China, climbed by 30.8 percent y/y.
EXEC: 361 Degrees Delivers DD Growth in 2025
361 Degrees reported revenues rose 10.6 percent in 2025 to RMD11.1 billion ($1.62 bn) from a year ago. E-commerce revenues climbed 26 percent year-over-year to RMB3.3 billion.
EXEC: Anta Sports, Fila’s China Partner, Sees Revenues Climb in the Mid Teens in 2025
China’s Anta Sports Products Ltd. reported sales grew 13.6 percent in 2025, to a record RMB 80.22 billion (~$11.3 bn). The gains were led by strength at Fila, Descente and Kolon Sports, with more modest growth at the flagship Anta brand.
EXEC: Nordstrom Set to Shutter Another Iconic Location with Galleria Dallas Closure
The closure speaks volumes in an age when Saks Global files for bankruptcy protection after acquiring a troubled Neiman Marcus business. One must wonder: Where will the rich girls from Landman shop now?
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Becomes Top Investor in ASOS
Frasers, the U.K.-based parent of Sports Direct, has increased its stake in ASOS to 29.26 percent from 28.42 percent after adding potential voting rights through sold put options in the online retailer, according to a regulatory filing.
EXEC: Houlihan Lokey Sees Fitness M&A Activity Building on “Banner Year“ in 2025
In Houlihan Lokey’s latest Fitness Market Update, the firm heralded 2025 as a “banner year” for mergers & acquisitions (M&A) in the fitness space and points to more high-profile transactions than in the past several years combined. The gains were led by fitness chains and boutique studios, with strength training, Pilates and wellness modalities expected to drive deal activity in 2026.
EXEC: Li Ning’s Revenues Slide 3.2 Percent In 2025
Li Ning Company, Ltd. reported earnings in 2025 slid 3.6 percent as sales declined 3.2 percent. Executive Chairman and joint CEO of the Group, said: “2026 marks the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. With the strategic goal of accelerating the development of a sports powerhouse, the nation will further unlock sports consumption potential while driving the transformation and upgrading of the sporting goods manufacturing industry
EXEC: Understanding the Next Steps in the Trump Tariff Fight
President Trump needs to find a longer-term solution to recoup the planned $1.4 trillion-plus in tariffs as part of his budget, since the Section 122 tariffs are only valid for 5 months. By fall, anything entering the U.S. under that 15 percent tariff will go to zero, unless something else takes its place.
EXEC: Nike’s Stock Price Target Cut by UBS and BTIG
UBS and BTIG analysts reduced their price targets on Nike, Inc. ahead of the company’s fiscal third-quarter report amid concerns about the timing of Nike’s sales recovery.
EXEC: Footasylum Appoints Gymshark Exec as CEO
Footasylum, the UK-based footwear chain, appointed Hannah Mercer as CEO, effective from the start of May. Mercer joins Footasylum from Gymshark, where she served as global general manager, Wholesale, Retail and Franchise, with global P&L responsibility.
Report: U.S. Sporting Goods Transactions Decline 9 Percent in Q4
U.S. transaction data shows that consumer spending on sporting goods declined 9 percent year-over-year in the three months ended January 2026, with tariffs, inflation and pressure on middle-income consumers weighing on discretionary purchases, according to Consumer Edge’s Sporting Goods Outlook 2026.
EXEC: Selkirk Sport’s Co-Founders Discuss Pickleball’s Next Phase of Growth
Selkirk Sport’s Co-CEOs, Mike and Rob Barnes, spoke with SGB Executive about the pickleball brand’s recent funding round from Bluestone Equity Partners, pickleball paddles and footwear innovation, the competitive landscape, and pickleball growth drivers.
