M&A Activity Heats Up For Fitness Equipment Brands
By David Clucas It’s been an active start to the year for the fitness equipment business. In just one month, two of the industries most innovative, higher-end brands — Octane Fitness and Cybex — were purchased by their larger, publicly traded rivals. Nautilus, Inc. scooped up specialty cardio equipment maker Octane Fitness for $115 on […]
This Week’s Movers & Shakers – February 12, 2016
Who was on the move in the industry this week with new hires, promotions and sponsorships… The WNBA named Lisa Borders (pictured above) as President, leading into the Association’s 20th season. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement February 10. Cabela’s Inc. promoted Scott K. Williams to President and said he would take on additional […]
Which Brands Will Win the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials?
Many of America’s top men and women long-distance runners will compete this Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles for one of six spots on Team USA for a chance to go to the 2016 Olympics in Rio. And many running brands will also be out in full force cheering on their sponsored athletes. By […]
Arc’teryx President Departs for Hunter Boots
In a bit of a saga that played out during the past three weeks, we now know that former Arc’teryx President Vincent Wauters left his post for a new job at Hunter Boots. By David Clucas On Feb. 9, the iconic rubber boots specialty brand introduced Wauters as its new CEO, effective March 1. The […]
The Cardio Craze
New Year’s resolutions are rolling in and more confident consumers are giving cardio fitness equipment sales a healthy boost as the industry gets ready to unveil its latest technology and products at the IHRSA trade show in late March. By Jahla Seppanen According to SSI Data*, cardio equipment category sales are up nearly 7 percent […]
Zika Scare Expected to Boost Insect-Repellent Gear Sales
By Jahla Seppanen Retailers may see a bump in sales of insect repellant apparel and gear, as scares of the Zika virus ramp up with spring/summer travel and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. “We’ve been seeing a trend, driven by consumer awareness of insect-borne diseases, of buyers getting smarter and taking precautions,” said ExOffocio […]
Skechers Doubles Down on Meb
Skechers extended its contract with Meb Keflezighi through 2023, when the elite marathoner will reach the ripe running age of 48. Keflezighi’s feats and inspiring run as America’s best male runner has played a pivotal role in legitimizing Skechers’ foray into selling running shoes. He will continue to be featured in marketing campaigns as well […]
One-On-One with Ultrarunner Joe Grant
Ultrarunner Shares Thoughts on Sponsored Athletes and the Growth of Long-Distance Races By Jahla Seppanen The stereotype about the loony ultrarunner who eats cheesecake while running and pushes through blood-filled sneakers doesn’t apply here. Joe Grant is refreshingly human, clear-headed and keen on how to make it as an athlete in the industry. Sponsored by […]
Sports Authority Teeters on Bankruptcy
One of the nation’s largest sporting goods retailers is struggling stay afloat. Sports Authority, with more than 450 stores in 45 states, missed its Jan. 15 payment on $21 million in loans and is trying to restructure its debt before going into default. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, the Englewood, […]
This Week’s Movers & Shakers – February 5, 2016
Who was on the move in the industry this week with new hires, promotions and sponsorships… Cherokee Global Brands, the parent of Cherokee, Flip Flop Shops, and Tony Hawk, appointed Randi Spieker as Executive VP, Business Development, reporting to Howard Siegel, Cherokee Global Brand’s President and COO, effective February 8. Lynx Fitness appointed Karin Shay […]
Europe’s OutDoor Show Moves Up to Mid-June in 2017
The game of trade-show leapfrog continues. On Thursday, organizers for Europe’s OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen, Germany said they will move up the date of the event by nearly a month to mid- June starting in 2017. The decision echoes earlier moves by Outdoor Retailer and the SIA Snow Show here in the United States to move their […]
Who’s Watching Your Wearable Data?
New Research Warns of Security Lapses in Popular Fitness Trackers The wearable technology boom may take a hit after a February 2 report warned that many leading fitness trackers, including products from Fitbit, Garmin, Jawbone, Mio, Xiaomi, Basis, and Withings, hold major security and privacy blind spots. The report, conducted by Canadian non-profit research group, […]
One-On-One: Todd Spaletto, President, The North Face
The President of The North Face doesn’t like segmenting his brands’ consumers. “It’s the same customer playing in different environments,” Todd Spaletto told SGB. “These hardcore athletes aren’t less core because they step into an urban environment.” In other words, The North Face is taking a broader perspective — still delivering hardcore gear for when […]
Mitchell & Ness Releases 1991 Michael Jordan East All-Star Game Jersey
Marking the jersey’s 25th anniversary, Mitchell & Ness has released the 1991 Michael Jordan East All-Star Game Authentic Jersey. Retailing at $300, the introduction is part of Mitchell & Ness’ ongoing partnership with Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand and marks the first time the company has produced the jersey. The jersey features sublimated front […]
Greenpeace Ups Pressure on Outdoor Brands at ISPO Munich
Greenpeace further embedded itself in the outdoor industry last week by exhibiting at the ISPO Munich trade show, where it released research that prompted a European brand to recall a hiking boot. At the show, Greenpeace released “Leaving Traces,” which found that 11 of 40 outdoor products tested by its laboratory contained per- and polyfluorinated […]
