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 […]
It’s Snowtime: SGB’s Photo Tour of SIA 2016
What In The World Is Trending In Snowsports? By Jahla Seppanen Come noon on Day 1 of Snowsports Industries America 2016, plenty of orders and meetings had already taken place. Despite common opinion that traffic was down from years prior, the pulse of the show beat strong in the pop-up lounge dens nestled in booths […]
Columbia Sportswear Amps Up Sports Offerings
Columbia Sportswear is getting sportier with a host of licensing and sponsorship deals. The biggest surprise was its partnership with Manchester United, one of England’s most popular soccer teams, to become the team’s first Official Outdoor Apparel Partner. Columbia will create a dual branded outerwear for outdoor pursuits, including hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and water and […]
NCAA Survey Unveils Areas of Concern for Student Athletes
While a new survey from NCAA Research showed college sports had an overwhelmingly positive impact on student-athletes, one area of concern was found to be youth sports specialization. The study found that many NCAA student-athletes began specializing in their sports “at what experts consider a very early age (e.g., before age 12),” especially in sports […]
2016 PGA Merchandise Show Tees Off With New Apparel, Wearables
The 2016 PGA Merchandise show teed off January 27 in Orlando, FL, and despite some difficult headwinds, including declining play and participation, show organizers are expecting a 15-percent bump in attendance over previous years. A projected 42,000 to 45,000 attendees will walk the 10 miles of aisles at the show over the next three days. The show […]
