Torque Fitness Promotes Jaime Bugge to Director of National Accounts
Bugge will focus on growing Torque’s partnerships with national fitness chains, wellness centers and athletic performance facilities, helping to equip diverse and expanding markets with the company’s equipment.
Pickleball Kingdom Franchisees Expanding Tennessee Footprint to Knoxville
This new Knoxville club joins Pickleball Kingdom’s growing presence in Tennessee, with additional locations already underway in Nashville, Hendersonville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Murfreesboro, solidifying the state as a hub for premier indoor pickleball.
Topgolf Breaks Ground on Second Venue in Minnesota
This is the second venue in Minnesota for parent company Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. in addition to an existing venue in Minneapolis’ Brooklyn Center.
EXEC: JD Sports Expects Full Year Profit at Lower End of Forecast on Weaker Comps
After a good start to the period, helped by strong back-to-school sales, the parent of the JD, Hibbett, Finish Line, DTLR, and Shoe Palace retail banners said it saw increased trading volatility in October, particularly in North America and the UK, reflecting elevated promotional activity and mild weather.
Shoe Carnival, Inc. Lowers Full-Year Sales Guidance on Calendar Shift, Warm Weather Impact
The parent of the Shoe Carnival, Rogan’s and Shoe Station retail banners, reported that Q3 net sales were $306.9 million as compared to $319.9 million in Q3 2023, with ~$20 million moving out of the third quarter due to the retail calendar shift.
EXEC: Target Corporation Shares Hit New Low After Q3 Miss, Disappointing Guidance
For the fourth quarter, the company now expects approximately flat comparable sales and GAAP and Adjusted EPS of $1.85 to $2.45, translating to a full year expected GAAP and Adjusted EPS range of $8.30 to $8.90 per share.
Life Time Continues Expansion in South Florida with New Club in West Boca Raton
Life Time West Boca is the company’s sixth health club in Florida, joining established locations in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Harbour Island, Miami at The Falls, and Palm Beach Gardens.
TJX Adds Eight Sierra Locations in Q3; Has Big Merchandise Plans for Sierra E-Commerce
The company said it is well-positioned to take advantage of the outstanding availability in the marketplace and deliver an eclectic mix of exciting gifts to its stores and online throughout this holiday season. The CFO said they have some great merchandise plans for the U.S. e-commerce sites in the Sierra business.
Ladder Secures Over $100M in New Funding to Scale Top Strength Training App
The company raised $15M in Series B funding led by Point72 Ventures and ADvantage VC, with participation from Steve Pagliuca’s PagsGroup and Series A lead investors Tapestry VC and LivWell Ventures. It also secured a $90M growth investment from General Catalyst’s Customer Value strategy.
Amer Sports Makes Key Leadership Changes; Expands Global Leadership Team
Guillaume Meyzenq has been appointed new president and CEO for Salomon and Michael Hauge Sørensen returns to a former role as advisor to the company’s Board of Directors.
Sweaty Betty Continues Global Expansion Opens New Stores in the U.S. and UK
The Wolverine Worldwide brand opend stores in Chicago’s Southport neighborhood and the other in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown section, on November 16 and 18, 2024, respectively. The brand is also opening a store in Cardiff, Wales, and one in Westfield, London.
EXEC: Wilson Sports Business Returns to Double-Digit Growth in Q3; Bolsters Owned Retail
Wilson’s marquee racquet sports franchise and the small but fast-growing softgoods segment were reported to lead the return to double-digit growth. Inflatable balls and golf also reportedly returned to growth in the third quarter.
PickleRage to Open New Clubs in Maryland and Florida
The company’s first Florida venue will open on November 25, in Jacksonville. The Glen Burnie, MD, location will open on December 9. PickleRage offers CushionX courts, the same surface professionals play on in the U.S. Open.
Nordstrom Sets Fall 2025 Plan for Rack Store in Lakeland, FL
The 30,000-square-foot store will be in Lakeside Village, a shopping center that includes Kohl’s, Books-A-Million, Belk, and entertainment options, including CMX Cinemas. Lakeside Village is owned and managed by Continental Realty Corporation.
Former NSGA Board Chairman Craig Koenig Passes Away
Koenig served on the NSGA Board of Directors from 1985 to 1992 and was Chairman from 1990 to 1991. As the Chairman and CEO of the Cleveland, OH-based family business Koenig Sporting Goods, Koenig oversaw the company’s growth from two stores in the late 1960s to an independent retail chain of 40 stores in the 1990s.
