
Callaway Golf Partners with Five Iron Golf to Launch Callaway Tour Fitting
Through the agreement, all Five Iron coaches become Callaway Certified Fitters, and becomes the first indoor golf brand to globally offer tour-level fittings backed by certification from Callaway at all venues.

L.A.B. Golf Bolsters Leadership Team
Robert Johnson joins the company as president. Headquartered in Eugene, OR, the company’s patented technology eliminates torque to give golfers the ability to repeat their golf stroke.

Big 5 Sporting Goods Narrows Q4 EPS Guide After Comps Fall 6.1 Percent
The company now expects to report a loss per basic share in the range of 94 cents to 97 cents for Q4, which compares to previous guidance for a loss per basic share in the range of 80 cents to $1.05.

Under Armour Renews Global Eyewear Licensing Agreement with Safilo Group
Through the renewed agreement until 2031, the companies will offer sunwear and prescription eyewear solutions that support athletes on and off the field.

Cotton Inc. Promotes William Kimbrell to President and CEO
The 22-year veteran of Cotton Inc. was executive vice president and chief operating officer before his promotion to CEO and president in November.

EXEC: 361 Degrees Owned-Retail Growth Accelerates in Q4 as E-Commerce Jumps
361 Degrees International, Ltd. reported brick-and-mortar retail sales of 361º core-branded product increased ~ 10 percent year-over-year for the fourth quarter of 2024. E-commerce product recorded sales growth of ~ 30 percent to 35 percent.

CNBC/NRF: Retail Monitor December Retail Sales Jump; Sporting Goods Rebounds
Core Retail Sales, excluding restaurants, auto dealers and gas stations, rose 2.2 percent m/m in December and up 8.4 percent y/y. That compared with a decrease of 0.19 percent m/m and an increase of 1.4 percent y/y in November.

Veo Strip Appoints Nike Veteran as Company’s First CEO
The company that created a product to prevent sweat from affecting an athlete’s vision during physical activity has tapped former Nike executive Tom Kelley as its first CEO.

Purpose Brands Appoints Brand President for Orangetheory Fitness
Lauren Cody assumes the role on January 27, with Orangetheory Co-founder and CEO Dave Long fully transitioning to co-chair of the Purpose Brands board, where he will serve as a strategic advisor to the Orangetheory brand leadership team.

Zumiez Inc. Cuts Guidance as Mid-Singles Holiday Comps Growth Falls Short
Based on results for the holiday period, the company anticipates fiscal 2024 fourth-quarter net sales come in between $275 million and $277 million, compared to its previous guidance range of $284 million to $288 million.

Foot Locker, Inc. Elects Two Retail Heavy Hitters to Board of Directors
Sonia Syngal most recently served as president and CEO of Gap, Inc., including overseeing Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. John Venhuizen has served for 12 years as president and CEO of Ace Hardware Corporation.

EXEC: JD Sports Fashion Reports 3.4 Percent Organic Sales Growth for Holiday
On a year-to-date (YTD) basis through January 4, comp sales revenue was flat, and the company said it expects full-year comp sales revenue to be at a similar level as the YTD trend.

Planet Fitness Strengthens Leadership Team with Two New Appointments
Chip Ohlsson was appointed chief development officer, effective January 20, and Brian Povinelli as chief marketing officer, effective February 10. Ohlsson has extensive hospitality industry experience, Povinelli is a seasoned marketing executive with over 30 years of experience working with hospitality and apparel brands and agency experience.

Authentic Brands Group Appoints New Company President
Over his two-decade career at Wynn Resorts, Matt Maddox reportedly played a pivotal role in the company’s global expansion. Nick Woodhouse will become executive vice chairman of Authentic.

EXEC: Reebok’s U.S. Operations Sold to Galaxy Universal
Galaxy Universal specializes in the athletic, health and outdoor categories, among others, and owns the And1, Gaiam and Tony Hawk brands, and licenses the Justice and London Fog brands.