USTA Launches Investment Fund to Support Tennis Growth
The United States Tennis Association launched USTA Ventures through the USTA Strategic Investment Committee to acquire potential equity stakes in technologies and other companies to advance the growth of tennis in the U.S.
Skechers Sues Laforst for Patent Infringement
Skechers USA, Inc. reported it sued Laforst Shoes, Inc. for alleged patent infringement of its proprietary Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins design. Skechers filed the lawsuit in The United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Nexgen Packaging Appoints VP of Sales, Americas
Nexgen Packaging, a packaging provider for the retail, apparel and footwear industries, hired Kevin DeSpain as senior vice president of sales for the Americas. He comes from Zebra Technologies.
NSGA Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Committee Elects Class of 2024
NSGA Sporting Goods Industry Hall Of Fame announced the Class of 2023, which includes Glenn Barrett, OrthoLite; Cathy Pryor, Hibbett Sports; Karsten Solheim, Ping Golf; and Mike Thompson, Rawlings.
West Coast Port Workers Ratify New Contract
Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents dockworkers at U.S. West Coast ports, voted to ratify a new six-year contract with the Pacific Maritime Association.
Craft Sportswear N.A. Appoints National Sales Agency for Footwear
Craft said that Waypoint Outdoor’s “vast network and experienced team, combined with Craft’s current rep force will provide an immediate increase of boots on the ground to support Craft’s expanding footwear dealer base and pinnacle accounts.”
Arc’teryx Seeks To Block Adidas’ Terrex Trademark Registration
Arc’teryx seeks to block Adidas from registering the “Terrex” name in U.S. retail stores. Earlier this year, the company sued Adidas in Canada for opening a Terrex store in Vancouver.
Survey: Pickleball On the Rise in Community Associations
According to a recent Snap survey by the Community Associations Institute Foundation for Community Association Research, 77 percent of respondents said that the pickleball courts in their communities were in “Moderate” or “High” demand.
REI Co-op Hires VP of Merchandise Planning and Inventory Management
REI Co-op hired Jackie Major as vice president of merchandise planning and inventory management, leading its merchandising team, overseeing planning and inventory management strategy and sales and operations planning.
Intersport International Corp. Appoints First Chief Commercial Officer
Pierre Irelli will assume the lead of the IIC’s Commercial Division. Irelli has been chief product officer at Intersport France since 2019. He first joined Intersport in 2013 as a category manager for Team Business.
Under Armour Names Chief Design Officer
Under Armour announced that fashion industry veteran John Varvatos will join the company as chief design officer, leading the design direction for the company and overseeing its design studios in New York, Baltimore and Portland, OR.
SGB Media Releases August 2023 Most Read Articles, Key Metrics
SGB Media published a quick review of the top stories from August 2023 that drove pageviews up 14 percent month-over-month to almost 184,000, while total users grew 10 percent and time spent on the site by each user rose 19 percent for the period.
Active Lifestyle Stocks Move in S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 Indices
Newell Brands and Foot Locker are moving to the SmallCap 600 from their former positions in the S&P 500 and S&P MidCap 400, respectively, and Vail Resorts, Inc. enters the S&P MidCap 400 index.
Study: American Malls Making a Comeback Post-Pandemic
A study conducted by Coresight Research found that traffic at U.S. shopping malls has recovered and surpassed pre-COVID levels, supported by the “halo effect” created by a brand’s online and offline presence in a mall, brand synergy in malls and omnichannel retail investments.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Opens First Storefront In Arkansas
Sportsman’s Warehouse opened a store in Hot Springs, marking its first retail location in Arkansas.
