SGB Update

Wattbike Appoints E-Commerce Specialist

Indoor cycling brand Wattbike hired Ahmed Khodja as the director of direct-to-consumer, a new role for the company. He joins Wattbike with a “formidable track record in e-commerce strategy, following a decade working for Fanatics.

PrimaLoft Hires Anne Cavassa as New President

PrimaLoft, Inc. hired industry veteran Anne Cavassa as president, joining CEO Mike Joyce. She assumes responsibility for day-to-day operations, and the two will collaborate to advance company growth.

Smith Optics Gives Nice Lift to Parent Co. in Third Quarter

At constant-currency exchange rates, the company’s sales decreased 3.9 percent in Q3, improving from the 6.6 percent decline recorded in Q2, which was said to be mainly due to the return to growth of the Smiths Sports business in North America.

Sports Basement to Open Store in Long Beach

Sports Basement is opening a location in a former Sears store in Long Beach, CA. The opening will mark the Bay Area sporting goods chain’s second location in Southern California after opening in Fountain Valley in 2022.

ISPO Partners with Joor on Long-Term Deal

The giant sports tradeshow ISPO Munich and digital wholesale ecosystem JOOR have entered into a long-term partnership that aims to enhance and extend the digital selling opportunities available to ISPO brands.

IHRSA Bolsters Advocacy Team

IHRSA, which advocates for the Health and Fitness Industry, hired Charles Regnante as government affairs manager.

Zelig Secures Funding Led by Hilco

Zelig, based in Los Angeles, reported it secured $15 million in Series A funding to support the launch of its AI-powered virtual try-on and styling technology (VTO-S). Hilco Global led the funding round, joined by luxury investor Bezikian Zareh, which brings the company to a $100 million valuation.