Eastside Golf Opens First Retail Store
Located at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), the store opening comes as the golf lifestyle brand recently launched at Nordstrom, Golf Galaxy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and House of Sport earlier this year and PGA Tour in 2024.
Lacoste Appoints New CEO
Éric Vallat, a former LVMH executive, was appointed as the company’s new CEO, starting September 1. He succeeds Thierry Guibert, who has held the position since 2015.
Bodybar Pilates Surpasses 150 Franchise Agreements
Former Navy SEAL Jeremy Beal and his wife, Erica, signed the brand’s 150th franchise agreement, which will bring two new locations to the Houston, TX market in Tomball and Magnolia.
Fitness Ventures Opens 60th Crunch Fitness Location
Crunch Fitness’ second largest franchisee opened its 60th Crunch Fitness location with a 60,000-square-foot facility in Des Moines, IA. Fitness Ventures reports it is on pace to reach 75 open clubs by the end of 2025.
Jetset Pilates to Open 12 Franchise Studios In Philadelphia Region
The Miami-based reformer Pilates franchise officially signed a 12-unit agreement to open locations in the Greater Philadelphia area. It currently has plans to open studios across the U.S. and Australia, with over 100 studios in development.
Crunch Fitness Franchise to Open in Pearland, Texas
Crunch franchisee Tony Hartle announced plans to open a 30,000-square-foot Crunch gym in Pearland, TX, this coming fall.
Nike Virtual Studios Vice President Exits
Ron Faris, who served as vice president and general manager of Nike Virtual Studios, has joined Disney Consumer Products as VP of global marketing.
Report: Back-to-School Spending to Surge 17 Percent, Shopping Starts Earlier
JLL’s 2025 Back-to-School survey of 1,010 parents found a 17.3 percent increase in planned spending this year, with respondents shifting toward in-store shopping while adopting earlier purchasing patterns and becoming more sensitive to higher prices.
Report: Adidas to Replace Nike as Tennessee’s Outfitter
The University of Tennessee is switching back to Adidas after its contract with Nike expires in 2026. The University was unable to secure a renewed deal with Nike.
Health & Fitness Association Sets New Board
Luke Carlson, founder and CEO of Discover Strength, becomes The Health & Fitness Association (HFA’s) new chairman. Al Noshirvani, managing partner of ALTA Technology Group and owner of Method Gym, acts as vice chair; Ahmar Azam, CEO and founder of TriFit, as finance chair; and Jeff Sanders, chief growth officer and partner of Energy Fitness, as secretary.
Uvex Group Sold to PE Firm
The German maker of helmets and goggles for ski, cycling and equestrian purposes announced that Warburg Pincus will acquire a majority interest in the company. The owner families Winter and Grau will retain a significant minority stake and be actively involved in the future growth of the business.
Pinarello Establishes New Subsidiary In Shanghai
The Italian manufacturer of road bikes, accessories and apparel announced the opening of its new subsidiary in Shanghai, enabling the company to directly manage its operations in the Chinese market.
EXEC: Trump Announces New Trade Deal with Vietnam
The revised deal includes the elimination of Vietnam tariffs on U.S. goods and a higher tariff on Vietnam shipments to the U.S, although it amounts to less than half of the 46 percent tariff imposed by the Trump Administration in early April.
Dick’s Sporting Goods and the WNBA Renew Multiyear Partnership
Through this renewed agreement, Dick’s Sporting Goods will continue as the “Official Sporting Goods Retailer “and an “Official Marketing Partner: of the WNBA through the 2028 season.
Interactive Strength Completes Wattbike Acquisition
The owner of the CLMBR and FORME specialty fitness equipment brands and pending acquirer of Sportstech has completed its previously announced all-stock acquisition of Wattbike.
