EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Acquires Minority Stake in Online Retailer THG
EXEC: Nike’s Stock Nets “Buy” Upgrade on Leadership Changes
EXEC: September Footwear Factory Shipments Shine as Key Nike Factory Returns to Growth
EXEC: Piper Sandler Survey Finds Adidas, Hoka, On, New Balance and Ugg Gaining Teen’s Attention
EXEC: Vista Inks Deals to Sell Revelyst and The Kinetic Group Separately
SGB Update
Puttshack Opens Second Location in Atlanta
The mini-golf experience announced the planned opening of its 20th global location and second venue in Dunwoody, GA, a suburb of Atlanta, on November 6.
Toca Football Raises $100 Million In Funding
The largest indoor soccer center operator in North America and the official soccer training partner of Major League Soccer, raised approximately $100 million in private funding to accelerate growth and open additional soccer-themed Toca Social entertainment venues.
Modern Meadow Appoints CEO
Dr. Williamson will transition from president and chief operating officer to chief executive officer, effective October 14. He has worked in multiple roles since 2015 for the Bio-Vera sustainable-materials brand.
Optima Cycles Acquires Dolly Bikes
Amsterdam-based e-bike and electric cargo bike manufacturer Optima Cycles strengthens its position in the growing e-cargo bike market with the acquisition of Dolly, the e-cargo bike brand based in Utrecht, Netherlands.
361 Degrees Owned-Retail Posts Robust Growth in Q3
361 Degrees International, Ltd. reported brick-and-mortar retail sales of 361º core-branded product increased over 10 percent year-over-year for the third quarter of 2024, ended September 30, expanding at the same rate as the second quarter.
SGB Executive
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Acquires Minority Stake in Online Retailer THG
Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, agreed to buy a £10 million ($13 million) stake in THG, formerly The Hut Group. The fundraising will enable the online retailer to spin off its unprofitable tech unit, Ingenuity.
EXEC: Nike’s Stock Nets “Buy” Upgrade on Leadership Changes
Nike scored its first rating upgrade since news arrived of Elliot Hill’s appointment as CEO. Truist Securities’ Joe Civello believes Nike’s increasingly veteran-driven management team can revive the brand’s marketing and innovation, including better promoting Caitlin Clark, while continuing to repair wholesale relationships. Civello also cited selling direct on Amazon as a “game-changer” opportunity.
EXEC: Anta Sports Sees Fila’s China Retail Sales Turn Negative in Q3
The company is the largest shareholder of Arc’teryx, Wilson and Salomon parent Amer Sports, and also runs retail stores in China for the Anta brand, Fila, Descente, Kolon Sport, and Amer Sports.
EXEC: Ten Takeaways from SFIA’s 2024 Team Sports Report
SFIA’s 2024 U.S. Trends in Team Sports Report included some concerning findings, including continued deterioration in Core participation, but overall had more positive findings than negative.
EXEC: Swedish Investment Firm Merges Five Companies into Single Sports/Active Entity
Storskogen companies Ullmax, JO Sport, Tennis fashion, Racketdoktorn and On Target have merged into the joint company ASHE, which now constitutes a leading Nordic distribution, sales and marketing partner within sports and active lifestyle.
