Puma to End Sponsorship of Israel’s National Football Team in 2024
Puma will end its sponsorship of Israel’s national football team in 2024, a decision the brand said was made before Hamas’ October 7 attack. Puma has faced boycotts over its sponsorship.
Puma Has Soccer and Chess Ambassadors Talking Strategy
Puma, the Manchester City Football Club and Chess.com launched an exclusive talk between Pep Guardiola from the football (soccer) world and Magnus Carlsen from the chess world.
Hibbett Inc. and Nike Launch 2023 Sole School Program
Hibbett | City Gear, in partnership with Nike, awarded 103 high schools and more than 2,500 students nationwide with in-kind donations, products, mentoring, and job opportunities, valued at over $650,000.
EXEC: Nike Scores Two Analyst Upgrades
Citi raised its rating on Nike to “Buy” from “Neutral,” while Barclays gave Nike its “2024 Best Idea” recommendation. Both investment firms cited the potential for Nike to have a margin recovery and brand innovation tied to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Arrive Recommerce Appoints Backcountry Vet as CTO
The company hired Alec Wilkins as chief technology officer. Wilkins was previously head of product and engineering at Backcountry and CPO/CTO at Overstock.com.
New Guards Group Appoints SVP/GM for Reebok Europe
The fashion group owned by Farfetch Limited hired Adidas veteran Markus Kleber as SVP/GM of Reebok Europe and Reebok Ltd. Farfetch recently announced it would not report Q3 results and canceled guidance.
SportsShoes.com Expands Marketing and Design Teams
SportsShoes.com hired ten new employees within its brand marketing, social media and design departments to support business growth and development.
Strava Appoints Former Nike Exec as CEO
The company hired Michael Martin as CEO, replacing outgoing CEO, Michael Horvath. Martin will also join the Strava Board upon assuming the role on January 2, 2024. Currently, Martin serves as the GM of YouTube Shopping.
Kyrie Irving Joins Kicks Crew as Equity Shareholder, Chief Community Officer
Irving’s role as chief community officer is also expected to showcase a “cause-driven, community-centric approach, empowering new brands and collaborations that blend art and basketball in new ways.”
CNBC/NRF: Strong Retail Sales Gain for First Half of Holiday Season
According to CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, the holiday shopping season began with a strong start in November as retail sales with total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gas, up 0.77 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 4.24 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
Beachbody Announces $5.3 Million Registered Direct Offering
The Beachbody Company Inc entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors for the purchase and sale of 543,590 shares of the company’s common stock at a purchase price of $9.75 per share in a registered direct offering.
EXEC: Craft North America CEO Talks Gaining Traction in Run Footwear
In late November, Craft Sportswear announced plans for a phased relocation of its North American headquarters to Seattle, WA, in 2024 to bolster the brand’s expansion into outdoor and specialty retail and its recent entry into running footwear in the U.S. Craft North America CEO Eric Schenker talked with SGB Executive about Craft Sportswear’s heritage, the run footwear opportunity, and why the CEO has chosen not to move to Seattle.
NRF: Imports Peaked in October, Volume Expected to Increase in 2024
Inbound cargo volume at the major container ports in the U.S. will continue to slow during the final weeks of 2023 after peaking later than expected in the fall, according to the Global Port Tracker* report released by the NRF and Hackett Associates.
NRF: Economy Delivers “Vigorous Growth” Despite Slowdown
According to the National Retail Federation’s Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, after a challenging year, the economy remains healthy despite slowing.
EXEC: Lululemon’s Tepid Holiday Guidance Overshadows Strong Q3
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. lifted its overall full-year outlook after earnings and sales in the third quarter ended October 29 topped guidance for the third straight quarter but also forecast fourth-quarter guidance that came in lighter than expected in an apparent sign to investors of a potential sales slowdown.
