NSSF Concludes a Record SHOT Show
More than 55,400 industry professionals attended the four-day event with more than 2,600 companies exhibiting.
Two Ten Footwear Foundation Appoints New Chair and Vice Chair
New Balance President and CEO Joe Preston was confirmed as Board chair, succeeding outgoing chair David Kahan, president and CEO of Birkenstock USA. Jonathan Frankel, president of Aldo Product Services, Aldo Group, now serves as Board vice chair.
Fenix Outdoor International Appoints New CTO
The parent company of the Fjällräven, Royal Robbins, Hanwag, and Tierra brands promoted Head of Brands Business Tech and Deputy CTO Eefje Jacques to CTO, effective April 1. Current company CIO Jan Lindmark will retire on that date.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Adds Indie Board Director
Steve Becker is the new independent member of the company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. He will serve as a member of the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee.
Levi Strauss to Cut 10 to 15 Percent of Workforce; Sees Weak 2024
The first phase of the Project Fuel global productivity initiative is expected to occur in the first half of 2024 and is expected to include a 10 percent to 15 percent reduction of the company’s global corporate workforce.
KOA Expansion in Full Swing, Exceeding 510 Locations in 2023
The 20 new agreements in 2023 were said to be attributed to the KOA franchise development team’s efforts, marking a significant increase from 14 agreements in 2022.
RV Shipments Up 8.1 Percent in December, Down 36.5 Percent for 2023
Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, ended the month up 11.4 percent from December 2022, while Motorhomes finished the month down 9.4 percent compared to the corresponding month in 2022 with 2,842 units.
Macy’s Shares Recover on Rumors of Another Buyout Bid
Sycamore Partners, the owner of retail brands Ann Taylor and Talbots, has been negotiating with Macy’s since December.
Report: The Changing Dynamics of Country Clubs
The pandemic seemingly increased interest in golf and tennis, leading to more visits and members at country clubs, particularly from a younger demographic. As a result, country club visits are up, and foot traffic is above pre-pandemic levels.
Nordstrom Adding Rack Location in Fort Myers, FL
The 31,000-square-foot store will be located at Bell Tower, a central shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in Fort Myers.
Andre Agassi Among Investors in DUPR Pickleball Rating System
The proposed international rating system for pickleball has engaged a new board, ownership, investors, and an influx of $8 million in funding to advance DUPR’s mission to unify the growing sport with technology and a global rating system.
Fitness Ventures Picks Pittsburgh for 48th Crunch Fitness Location
Crunch Pleasant Hills, a 45,000-square-foot fitness facility in Pittsburgh, PA, will take the place of a former LA Fitness facility.
GearJunkie Parent Acquires Pack Hacker
Pack Hacker’s focus on travel gear reviews and buying advice is expected to complement AllGear Digital’s brand portfolio covering outdoor sports, cycling, surfing, and other outdoor pursuits.
Life Time to Open in Boulder
The 40,000-square-foot space will be renovated as Life Time Boulder, replacing the former Colorado Athletic Club. The site joins Life Time Denver West, opening in Wheat Ridge in the first half of 2024.
Report: Nearly 8 of 10 Online Chargebacks Originate from Consumers, Not Fraud
Based on anonymized data obtained from Chargeflow’s merchant database, the company’s 2024 report found that 79.03 percent of chargeback cases result from friendly fraud, driving the need for businesses to adopt automated fraud detection solutions and educational initiatives.
