Revo Moves to Direct Distribution in Key EU Markets; Adds New Region Leadership
Revo has made a strategic shift in its global distribution model, transitioning to direct distribution in several key markets, supported by a new leadership team.
Schutt and Vicis Parent Inks Safety Alliance with Guardian Cap Maker
With the partnership of leading brands Schutt and Vicis and the related certification of a combination of technologies, the company will broaden the availability of Guardian Caps and helmets to players worldwide.
Riddell Makes Key Leadership Appointments and Exec Promotions
Ridell promoted Thad Ide to chief product officer and Michael Oller to executive vice president of Revenue and Customer Experience. Joining them on Riddell’s executive leadership team is Aravind Kashyap, chief information officer, who assumed the position last fall.
EXEC: JCPenney Merges with Sparc Group to Form Catalyst Brands
The combined Catalyst Brands organization is a joint venture formed in an all-equity transaction between JCPenney and the Sparc Group, with shareholders Simon Property Group, Brookfield Corporation, Authentic Brands Group, and Shein.
EXEC: Anta Reports Fila Retail Sales in China Swings to Growth Mode in Q4
Retail sales for the Fila brand in China reportedly increased in mid-single digits for the 2024 full-year period, while Anta brand sales improved in the high-singles year-over-year and All Other Brands, including Descente and Kolon Sport, saw fourth-quarter retail sales increase in the 40 percent to 45 percent range.
NRF’s Chief Economist Believes 2024 Ended on a High Note
Jack Kleinhenz’s comments came in the January edition of the NRF’s Monthly Economic Review, in which he reported that the 2024 gross domestic product was on track to grow 2.7 percent over 2023, based on results for the first 11 months of the year.
Sports Impact Appoints Industry Vet as Chief Marketing Officer
Nick Addecott, who is based in London and has previous golf industry expertise with the agency’s longest-serving client, Wilson Golf. He has over 20 years of senior management and board-level experience.
Skechers Sets the Bar Even Higher with Latest Pickleball Shoe Launch
Skechers athletes and top-ranked professional pickleball players Catherine Parenteau and Tyson McGuffin again headline the Viper Court Pro 2.0 launch. Parenteau and McGuffin have competed in Skechers Viper Court Pro shoes since signing with the brand in 2022.
Roll Recovery Hires Biz Development Lead; Partners with Indy Rep Group
The manufacturer of deep tissue massage therapy tools and recovery footwear, has hired Craig Sinbine to lead business development. The company has also partnered with a new sales agency, The Endorphin Group.
Crunch Fitness Sets Opening Timeline for New Mega Crunch in Palm Harbor, FL
The opening timeline for Crunch Palm Harbor, a 55,000-square-foot fitness facility is projected for late Summer 2025.
Pvolve Set to Open Third Franchise Location in Connecticut
The company signed an agreement with Christine Friedman Partouche to bring two new studios to Fairfield County, CT, marking the company’s third franchise location in the state.
Topgolf Breaks Ground on Grand Prairie, TX Venue
The new venue is set to open in late 2025. This will be the 15th venue in Texas and the fifth in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for the company.
Report: 2024 Holiday Online Spending Sets New Record; Sporting Goods Up Big
Strong discounts this season also drove consumers to purchase higher-ticket items in categories such as electronics, appliances and sporting goods. The share of units sold for the most expensive goods was up 54 percent in sporting goods.
G/Fore Appoints Suzy Biszantz as CEO
With over twenty-five years of brand leadership experience, Suzy Biszantz has worked in luxury, athletic, contemporary, and menswear apparel. Most recently, she was the group president at Centric Brands for its men’s and women’s platforms.
Former Ross Bicycles CEO Randy Ross Passes Away
When he led the brand, Ross Bicycles sponsored the first professional mountain bike race team, the Ross Indians. Ross also sponsored events that helped the sport develop in the 1980s, and the company’s bike line was one of the first mass-produced mountain bikes on the market.
