Fanatics Partners with Argentine Football Association
Fanatics entered an e-commerce partnership with The Argentine Football Association (AFA). The long-term agreement will see Fanatics build and operate the AFA’s e-commerce store.
Rugged Road Retains Outtech Sales Services
Rugged Road, makers of coolers and related accessories based in Aurora, OH, hired Outtech Sales Services to represent the brand nationwide.
Report: Decathlon Explores Sales of Minority Stake in China Business
Decathlon SA is working with advisors to explore the sale of a minority stake in its China business, sources told Bloomberg. The report indicated that the French retailer seeks a strategic partner to drive regional expansion.
VF Corp. Sees Continued Americas Weakness In U.S. in Q2 Tied to Vans Declines
The company also said that Kevin Bailey will be stepping down from his role as global brand president, Vans. He will remain on the Executive Leadership Team reporting to the CEO and will transition to lead Reinvent, the company’s business transformation plan. CEO Bracken Darrell will be more involved with Vans until a new brand president is found.
Dick’s SG Sued Over Calia Logo
Wooter, a maker of sports apparel based in Staten Island, NY, reportedly filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Dick’s Sporting Goods over the infinity symbol used in the logo of women’s private label brand Calia.
REI to Open in Beavercreek, OH
REI reported it will open a retail store in Beavercreek, OH, in spring 2024. The 23,000-square-foot space will operate in the Beavercreek Shopping Center at 2650 N Fairfield Road.
Anytime Fitness Sees Double-Digit Franchise Growth in Q3
Self Esteem Brands, the parent of Anytime Fitness based in Woodbury, MN, reported Anytime Fitness franchise locations saw double-digit increases in same-store sales in the third quarter over the same period in 2022.
Shein Acquires Missguided Brand from Frasers
Frasers, the U.K.-based parent of Sports Direct, reported it plans to sell the intellectual property and trademarks of the Missguided online women’s fashion retailer to Shein.
Garmin Distributor for India Expands Category Representation
Under the new agreement, Amit India will add Garmin fitness, outdoor recreation and consumer automotive products to its existing lineup of Garmin marine products that it began distributing in 2017.
PedalCell to Cease Operations
PedalCell, a manufacturer of weather-proof generators for power bikes, announced it will cease operations on January 1.
Rhone Secures New Investors
Rhone, the men’s activewear and lifestyle brand, formed a new consortium of investors, including Blackstone executive and ex-football star Tim Tebow, to buy out the approximately 29 percent stake in the company owned by private equity firm L Catterton.
MEC Appoints New CEO
Canadian outdoor gear retailer MEC promoted COO Peter Hlynsky to CEO, succeeding Eric Claus, who led the retailer during the filing for creditor protection and sale to U.S.-based private investment firm Kingswood Capital Management.
New Balance Appoints Director, Global Apparel Planning
New Balance promoted Stephen Butch to director of global apparel planning, effective immediately. He has worked for New Balance since 1995, starting as a sales associate in the brand’s Boston factory outlet store.
Mystery Ranch Promotes Fleming to Marketing Director
Mystery Ranch promoted Michelle Fleming to marketing director. She has worked for the company since earlly 2021. Most recently, Fleming wasa the senior product marketing manager after two years as product marketing manager.
Altra Running Hires Run Industry Vet as Director of Merchandising
Altra Running hired Samantha Terral as director of merchandising, effective immediately. Most recently, Terral was the digital/e-commerce manager at Saucony.
