Retail Sales Up Again in June Despite Slower Job Growth
The U.S. Census Bureau is reporting overall retail sales in June were up 0.2 percent from May and up 1.5 percent year-over-year (YoY). Sporting goods stores were down 1 percent MoM seasonally adjusted and down 0.9 percent unadjusted YoY.
Dutch E-Bike Maker VanMoof Declared Bankrupt
Dutch e-bike manufacturer VanMoof has been declared bankrupt in the Netherlands. The company had entered into a “suspension of payment” proceeding with court-assigned administrators last week to avoid bankruptcy proceedings while pursuing options to reduce debt, including a sale.
Pvolve Awards 19 New Franchise Studios
Pvolve awarded nine new franchise locations, bringing the total number awarded and open, or in development, to 19 across the U.S. and Canada.
Academy Is Opening Two More Stores In Central Texas In F23
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported it will open two new stores in Central Texas this fall in Brenham and Kyle, respectively and is on track to open 13-to-15 stores in 2023, with the goal of opening 120-to-140 new stores by the end of 2027.
EXEC: Lululemon Lays Off 100 Employees at Mirror Business
Lululemon confirmed with SGB Media reports that it has laid off 100 employees from Lululemon Studio, which represents its Mirror connected fitness business. In mid-April, reports arrived that Lululemon was working with an advisor to explore the sale of Mirror.
Nation’s Capital Region Leads Fittest Cities in 2023
Arlington, VA and Washington, D.C., are ranked as the top two cities, respectively, in the 16th annual ACSM American Fitness Index rankings report published by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Elevance Health Foundation.
361 Degrees International Posts Low-Teens Retail Sales Growth in Q2
361 Degrees International Limited reported its retail sales (in terms of the retail value) of 361° core branded products for the second quarter of 2023 posted low-teens growth compared to the comparable period of 2022.
Drive Shack Opens Puttery Location in Minneapolis
Drive Shack, Inc. reported plans to open a Puttery location in Minneapolis, MN, on July 21, in the North Loop at 240 Hennepin Avenue.
Nike Ends Sponsorship of Hockey Canada
Nike ended its sponsorship of Hockey Canada. Last year, Nike was one of several major partners that paused its sponsorship deal with Canada’s governing hockey body amid heavy criticism of the organization’s handling of sexual assault allegations involving members of its 2018 World Junior team and settlement payouts.
Oberalp Group Extends Italian Distribution for Fischer for Five Years, Adds One/Way Brand
The Oberalp Group has been the distribution partner for the traditional Austrian brand Fischer in Italy since 2012 and will remain so until 2028. For the first time, the Oberalp Group has been secured the distribution rights of the One/Way brand, which is also owned by Fischer Sports.
Thule Group Appoints New CFO
Thule Group appointed Toby Lawton as chief financial officer and a Group management team member based at its Headquarters in Malmö, Sweden. Lawton will assume his position latest in January 2024.
Rally House Opens Stores in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan
Rally House opened stores in Clive, IA; Champaign, IL and Troy, MI, respectively.
Signa Sports Adds Accell Group’s Former CEO to Board
Signa Sports United N.V. (SSU) announced plans to appoint Anthonie Anbeek, most recently CEO of Accell Group, to its Board of Directors, effective April 1, 2024.
Canada Ports Strike to End After Tentative Deal Is Reached
A 13-day-old strike that disrupted shipments at Canada’s western ports, including the Port of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, is scheduled to end after the dockworkers’ union and a group of employers agree on a tentative deal.
Slinger Bag Appoints Board Members
Connexa Sports Technologies, Inc., the parent of the Slinger Bag tennis ball launcher and Gameface.ai, appointed Steven Crummy and Rodney Rapson to its board of directors.
