Grassroots Expects 5.9 Percent Growth in Spring Connect Buyer Attendance
Grassroots indicated that the 148 retail businesses and 147 exhibitors are essentially flat versus last year’s Spring Connect Show, but individual buyers increased 5.9 percent year-over-year to 391 buyers.
Studio Pilates International Continues Global Expansion
As of April 2025, Studio Pilates operates 114 studios globally, “with 60-plus more in development.” On April 5, 2025, the brand opened its 114th studio in Oakville, Ontario, a Toronto suburb, marking its second Canadian location.
Josh Allen Invests in The Cashmere Fund
The Buffalo Bills QB and 2025 NFL MVP is the newest investor in The Cashmere Fund, and partnering with the Fund’s subadviser, Cashmere LLC, a next-generation venture fund making startup investing more accessible.
Jay Apparel Group Expands into Central America
JAG said it would focus on men’s woven sport shirts and other core products in Honduras and other key regional hubs, leveraging the benefits of U.S. trade programs, including the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
Nike Promotes Jennifer Hartley to Chief Strategy Officer, ELT
Jennifer Hartley, a 14-year company veteran also joins Nike’s Executive Leadership Team. CFO Matt Friend said that Hartley will work to “develop, drive and deliver Nike’s strategic agenda.”
S&S Activewear Appoints Three Senior Leaders to Strengthen Commercial Team
The distributor of apparel and accessories in North America, has appointed Jim Sturgell as senior vice president of sales, Nick Blannin as senior vice president of merchandising and Bill Topf as senior vice president of commercial strategy and operations.
Report: Consumers Willing to Spend More for Brands if Prices Increase
A recent report from UserTesting, a provider of human insights for the enterprise, reveals that brand loyalty isn’t just holding steady in 2025, it’s becoming a safe haven for consumers navigating higher prices and watching their wallets.
Capezio Acquired by Argand Partners
Founded in the U.S. in 1887, Capezio is an iconic global brand in the dancewear sector. The company designs and manufactures technical footwear, apparel and accessories that support dancers and athletes to practice, compete and perform. It is headquartered in Totowa, NJ.
Crunch Fitness Franchisee to Open Crunch Gym in Springfield, MA
The 28,000-square-foot gym will open on Main Street in East Longmeadow on May 30, marking Fitness Holdings North America’s first Springfield location and 13th gym in Massachusetts.
New Balance Reopens London Flagship
The flagship store reopened on April 17 “putting people, not products, at the center” of the redesigned space. To mark the reopening, New Balance will host a series of events around the 2025 TCS London Marathon.
Bike Nashbar Founder Arni Nashbar Passes Away; Leaves a Rich Legacy
In response to what he saw as a gap in quality customer service in bike mail-order companies, he and his wife founded Bike Nashbar. At its peak, the company mailed over 14 million catalogs annually across the U.S. and Canada, employed over 350 people and shipped over 6,000 packages daily.
Rural King Opens New Kingsport Store
The store carries a wide range of outdoor lifestyle and work brands, including Ariat, Browning, Carhartt, Columbia, Frogg Toggs, Henry Rifles, Huk Apparel, Keen Utility, Plano, Realtree, Remington, Under Armour, and Wolverine.
Pickleball Kingdom Franchise to Open in Bryan-College Station, Texas
This new location, led by franchisee Sheryl Miller, adds to the growing number of Pickleball Kingdom clubs in Texas, including those operating in Plano, Dallas, Pflugerville, and soon-to-open Fort Worth. .
REX Roundtables Founder Will Phillips Passes Away
“The Health & Fitness Association joins the fitness industry in mourning the death of Will Phillips, an industry visionary and leader who guided so many of our members on their journeys as successful owners and operators,” said Health & Fitness Association President and CEO Liz Clark.
United Wheels Appoints Bike Industry Vet to Lead BMX Product Strategy
Michael Gonzalez’s tenure in the bike industry also spans collaboration with worldwide distributors, aligning sales strategies with product launches, and direct involvement in quality control, supplier relations and team management.
