EXEC: Tactical and Outdoor Rec Led Active Consumer M&A Activity Growth in 2025
EXEC: Talking Socks with Darn Tough’s Parent President, Angelica Taylor
EXEC: Ed Stack and Lauren Hobart Talk Foot Locker Remodels, Dick’s House of Sport’s Fine-Tuned Expansion
The Tech Stack Problem Costing Team Dealers Time and Money — and How the Industry Is Solving It
EXEC: Levi Strauss CEO Talks Beyond Yoga’s Complement to Denim Lifestyle Portfolio
SGB Update
Club Pilates Sets Philippines Expansion; Franchisee Plans to Open 30 Studios
Club Pilates, owned by Xponential Fitness, signed a master franchise agreement with DM Active Wellness, Inc. (DMAW) in the Philippines, with a commitment to open 30 studios over the next 10 years.
PickleRage Appoints CEO
PickleRage has appointed Rich DeStasio as CEO to support its continued national expansion. Previously, DeStasio is reported to have helped drive the expansion efforts for a major Orangetheory Fitness franchisee.
Asics Joins a Plethora of Active Lifestyle Brands on Boston’s Newbury Street
The athletic footwear and lifestyle brand is joining over a dozen other active lifestyle brands and retailer’s on Boston’s iconic Newbury Street, which is akin to landing on London’s High Street. The move comes in advance of Boston Marathon weekend.
Billabong Expands into Eyewear with L’Amy America
Under the agreement, L’Amy America will design, manufacture and distribute optical frames, fashion sunglasses, eyewear accessories, snow goggles, and motosport goggles in the U.S. and Canada for men, women and kids.
HFA Report: Gym Membership Climbs 5.6 Percent in 2025
The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) released its 2026 US Health & Fitness Consumer Report, showing that 81 million Americans belonged to a gym, studio, or other fitness facility in 2025, marking an all-time high and a 5.2 percent increase from 2024. The share of members who did not use their membership was 4.6 percent, an all-time low.
SGB Executive
EXEC: Tactical and Outdoor Rec Led Active Consumer M&A Activity Growth in 2025
Tactical Products M&A maintained its prior-year momentum, with deal volume increasing by 19 percent in 2025. Outdoor Recreation M&A volume saw its second consecutive year of expansion, rising 48 percent to 164 transactions. In Apparel & Footwear, M&A activity retracted nearly 14 percent year-over-year to 152 deals in 2025, the first decline since 2022.
EXEC: Talking Socks with Darn Tough’s Parent President, Angelica Taylor
Angelica Taylor, who was promoted to president of Darn Tough Vermont’s parent company, Cabot Hosiery Mills (CHM), in February, talked with SGB Executive about Darn Tough’s history, the brand’s recent success, its commitment to U.S. production, and sock trends.
EXEC: Former Exec Sues Adidas Over Alleged Gender Discrimination
Lindsay Gregg, who was Adidas’ head of women’s basketball sports marketing from January 2022 to February 2026, has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, charging she was fired for raising concerns about gender discrimination and the treatment of female athletes. She also charged Adidas with whistleblower retaliation.
EXEC: European Soccer E-Tailer Unisport Enters U.S. with WeGotSoccer Acquisition
Unisport Group, one of Europe’s leading online football retailer based in Denmark, has acquired Arocam, Inc., the U.S.-based parent of WeGotSoccer.and TUDN Fan Shop. Unisport said the transaction “marks Unisport’s strategic expansion into North America ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026,”
EXEC: Amazfit Parent Zepp Health Corp. Narrows Q4 Net Loss as Revenues Surge
Zepp Health Corporation, the Netherlands-based parent of the Amazfit brand of fitness and healthcare wearables, reported sales jumped 43 percent in the fourth quarter to $85.2 million, meeting the upper end of its guidance range.
