SGB Today

Wendy Hofstetter, SGB 40 Under 40 Class of 2016

Senior Director, Digital | JackRabbit, The Finish Line, Inc. Wendy is the Senior Director of Digital for JackRabbit by day; amateur photographer and Disney fanatic by night. She has a passion for data, traveling and running half marathons in costume. EDUCATION & DEGREE(S) ACHIEVED: BS, Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Information Systems. BIGGEST […]

Industry VOICES – Allisson Pattillo, The Wild Writing Runner

From middle school classes with Judy Blume to CNN and Runner’s World, a mother, runner, mochi-lover keeps her pen on the pulse of our industry. By Jahla Seppanen Allison Pattillo is part of the legion of freelance running writers, taking her lust for distance and speed to the page. Having dozens of elite athlete interviews […]

Golden Harper, SGB 40 Under 40 Class of 2016

Creator & Founder, Product Development | Altra Golden Harper ran his first marathon at age 10 (3:08:05) and holds the world’s best for a 12-year-old in the marathon at 2:45:34. He went on to become an All-American Cross Country runner. After college, he won his first 50-mile race — the Alpine to Slickrock 50 — […]

Willie W. Ford, SGB 40 Under 40 Class of 2016

Managing Director | POC North America Willie became connected with POC in 2007/08 as an athlete when he was a sophomore at The University of New Hampshire while being a key member of UNH’s Division I ski team. During his four years at UNH, he was a three-time Academic All American and a two-time NCAA […]

Jennifer Lynn Farmer, SGB 40 Under 40 Class of 2016

Director of Merchandising, E-Commerce North America | Crocs Inc. Jennifer grew up in Waxahachie, TX. After graduating from college with a degree in Economics, her goal was to become a merchandiser/buyer and within two years and she moved to Pittsburgh, PA to achieve her goal. Subsequently she lived in NYC before moving to Colorado to […]

Light is Right

While runners demand a variety of options, including more fashion styles, lightweight advances reign supreme. By Thomas J. Ryan While much of the talk over the last few years in road running footwear has been around minimalist or maximalist cushioning, some of the most notable changes have been more quietly occurring with minimalist approaches to […]

If the ‘Look’ Fits, Wear it

Fashion Styles Drive Running Footwear Retail Gains By Ben Pickel Running Footwear sales gained more than 3 percent in dollars year-to-date according to SSI Footwear Data* and more than 5 percent in units for the total tracked market. Much of the growth was driven by women’s business along with strong gains from Casual Athletic Footwear […]

Titleist, FootJoy Parent Bullish on Golf with IPO

While some retailers and vendors are reducing their exposure to the sport of golf, Acushnet Holdings Corp.’s IPO filing on June 20 delivered one of the most bullish recent assessments around the growth prospects for the sport.

Katie Darling, SGB 40 Under 40 Class of 2016

Senior Director of Merchandising | Puma North America As a former collegiate gymnast, Katie is proud and honored to work in the active lifestyle industry and is equally honored by the opportunities she has had to positively impact customer’s businesses and lives and to play a role in the development of great people. Since joining […]

Lululemon Has Cajones

Lululemon shocked the airwaves with its “ABC Gear,” a new, ballsy category targeted at the male consumer.

3D-Printed Footwear is Just Getting Started

Will 3D printing replace the slow boat from China for footwear production? The short answer is ‘maybe.’ But due to costs, speed and other factors, it’s going to take some time to find out. By Thomas J. Ryan While making a sneaker in the comfort of your home with the assistance of a 3D printer likely […]

Kathy Dalby, SGB 40 Under 40 Class of 2016

CEO | Pacers Running Kathy Dalby is CEO of Pacers Running, a leading run specialty retailer and events production company in Washington D.C. She is responsible for identifying and driving strategic growth, branding and marketing, financial management and optimizing the relationship between all channels of the Pacers Running business. Kathy is also the publisher of […]

Surviving Grizz

Thanks in part to the success of Yeti Coolers, certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee has become synonymous with durability in the premium cooler segment. By Charlie Lunan If your customers are shopping for high-end coolers, you wouldn’t blame them for thinking campsites nationwide are under assault by a horde of angry grizzly bears. […]

Adam Craig, SGB 40 Under 40 Class of 2016

Director of U.S. Sales | Columbia Footwear Early in his career Adam worked in a ski shop in Crested Butte, CO where his love for skiing and the mountains originated. He is grateful to have grown up in Cleveland, OH with parents and a large family that were always supportive and encouraging of his pursuits. […]