IHRSA Trade Show Sees Jump In Participants
IHRSA reported that its 2023 Convention and Trade Show held in San Diego, CA from March 20 to 22 drew 8,500 participants, up from about 6,000 attendees to its 2002 show, the first since the pandemic, held in Miami Beach, FL.
EoS Fitness Acquires Houston Fitness Chain
EoS Fitness increased its Texas presence bringing its national footprint to 75 open gyms with the acquisition of Houston-based Texans Fit, a five-gym chain founded by the Houston Texans and fitness company M6 Football.
Mastercard: March Retail Sales Up 4.7 Percent, Driven By Growth In Service Sector And Grocery
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment, U.S. retail sales, excluding automotive, were up 4.7 percent year-over-year in March.
Ermenegildo Zegna Swings To 2022 Profit On Double-Digit Sales Growth
Ermenegildo Zegna N.V. reported that revenues for 2022 were €1.49 billion, up 15.5 percent year-over-year. Excluding the Greater China Region, which was affected by COVID-19-related restrictions throughout 2022, mainly from mid-March to the end of May and then again in the fourth quarter, 2022 revenues were up 42 percent year-over-year.
Meijer To Open Indiana Supercenter
Meijer will open a new 159,000-square-foot supercenter in Elkhart, IN, on May 11, making it the 11th Meijer store in Northern Indiana, and will include a Meijer Express gas station, scheduled to open on April 13 adjacent to the center.
Nike, Inc. Appoints New EVP & Chief Communication Officer; Nigel Powell To Retire
Nike, Inc. promoted KeJuan Wilkins to EVP, chief communications officer effective June 1. He succeeds Nigel Powell, the company’s long-time EVP/CCO, who is retiring this summer.
Pentland Brands Names New Global Chief Operating Officer
Pentland Brands, parent company to Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury, Ellesse, and Mitre brands, promoted Abhy Thomas-Joseph to global chief operating officer. He will replace Jon Godden, who is leaving the company in June after 16 years with the company.
Leadership Change At Wattbike
After over ten years at Wattbike, Richard Baker is stepping down as CEO. Stephen Loftus, most recently chief commercial officer at Brompton, will assume the role on May 1. Baker will remain with the brand as a special advisor to the Board.
Mtntough, Inc. Names Chief Marketing Officer
Mtntough, Inc. named Ryan Watson as chief marketing officer responsible for developing and monitoring the brand’s overall business marketing strategies, including market research, digital marketing, public relations and communications, and strategic partnerships.
Costco Sees March Comps Slip On Changes in Gas Prices, FX Rates
Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $21.71 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 2, 2023, representing an increase of 0.5 percent from $21.61 billion last year.
Premier Martial Arts Names Brand President
Premier Martial Arts, a franchise brand specializing in teaching karate, krav maga and kickboxing to kids and adults, named Scott Thompson brand president, effective immediately.
Play It Again Sports Parent And Elan Sports Forge Resale Partnership
Winmark Corporation, parent company of used sports equipment retailer Play It Again Sports, has entered into a partnership with snow sports marketer and distributor Elan Sports USA. Winmark will become the Official Resale Partner of Elan, and Elan will be a Premier Sustainability Partner of Winmark and Play It Again Sports.
Walmart Sees 65 Percent Of Stores Serviced By Automation By 2026; Reiterates Guidance
Walmart Inc. kicked off its two-day 2023 Investment Community meeting this week, with leadership highlighting how the company is investing to strengthen its business through its people and an unparalleled, next generation supply chain network of stores, clubs and fulfillment centers.
Dick’s SG Names Chief E-Commerce Officer
Dick’s Sporting Goods hired Denise Karkos, formerly at SiriusXM, as chief e-commerce officer.
Fanatics Acquires Italian Sports Retailer EPI
Fanatics acquired EPI, a Milan-based company that operates e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores for Italian soccer clubs and the NBA. Fanatics will also acquire The Pitch Football Store, a football specialist omnichannel retailer.
