SGB Update Footwear
SFIA Launches Super Regionals Series
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association is launching a Super Regional Series in November, offering members, partners and industry leaders the opportunity to come together to discuss business insights and topics driving today’s sporting goods and fitness environment.
Lululemon Athletica to Join S&P 500 Index
Lululemon Athletica will join the S&P 500 index before the stock market opens on October 18.
Asics Names New President and CEO for North America
Koichiro Kodama will return to Asics North America as president and CEO, effective immediately. He was CEO of Asics North America from February 2019 until December 2020. He replaces Richard Sullivan, president and CEO of the North American business since January 2022.
REI Lays Off Nearly 275 Retail Employees
REI Co-op is laying off about 275 retail employees, roughly 2 percent of its in-store workforce, as the retailer implements updates to its store operations system and labor structure.
Consumer Sentiment Slides in October
The University of Michigan’s preliminary Index of Consumer Sentiment for October declined 7.5 percent from month-over-month in September to 63 from 68.1 and below the 67.4 reading that analysts had expected.
Under Armour Hires Gap Inc. Vet as Chief Supply Chain Officer
The company hired retail industry veteran Shawn Curran as chief supply chain officer, reporting to President and CEO Stephanie Linnartz. After three decades working at Gap, Inc., Curran will join Under Armour on October 16.
Decathlon to Open First Store in British Columbia
Decathlon plans to open a flagship store in spring 2024 at Metropolis at Metrotown, marking its first store in British Columbia and its 19th in Canada.
REI To Open Huntington Station Store
The 21,000-square-foot store in the Huntington Shopping Center in Huntington Station, NY will host a grand opening November 3-5. It is REI’s seventh store in the Tri-State area.
Sorel to Open Pop-Up in Brooklyn
The 900-square-foot space is opening from October 13 to 22 in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY and will be Sorel’s signature orange color.
Lacrosse, Flag Football, Cricket on Short List for 2028 LA Games
The organizing committee for the Los Angeles Games reported it will propose adding flag football, lacrosse, squash, and cricket to the Olympic program for 2028. The organizing committee is also aiming to bring baseball and softball back.
Dick’s SG To Open House of Sports in Miami
Dick’s Sporting Goods reported that the company submitted plans with Miami-Dade County to open a House of Sports in Miami in a space formerly occupied by a Nordstrom store in the Dadeland Mall.
Running USA’s COO Departs
Running USA’s Board of Directors announced that Christine Bowen, chief operating officer and VP for the past 14 years, stepped down from her role, effective September 30.
Walmart Again Closing Stores on Thanksgiving
Walmart announced that it will close its doors on Thanksgiving for the fourth consecutive year.
Har-Tru Acquires Armor Crack Repair
Har-Tru, LLC, a specialist in court construction and surfacing solutions based in Troy, VA, has acquired Armor Crack Repair, which specializes in court crack repair and maintenance.
SportChek Exec Joins Ross Stores as President, Operations
Ross Stores, Inc. reported that it named Stephen Brinkley to the newly-created role of president of operations, reporting to Michael Hartshorn, group president and chief operating officer, effective October 30.