Fitbit to Pay $12.5M Fine for Failing to Report Ionic Smartwatch Defect
Despite possessing information that reasonably supported the conclusion that the Ionic Smartwatch contained a defect that could create a substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious injury, Fitbit did not immediately report to the CPSC as required.
Norco Bicycles Appoints Alan Lewis as General Manager; CEO Sean Sullivan Exits
Live to Play Sports Group (LTP) and Norco Bicycles have appointed Alan Lewis, son of Founder Bert Lewis, as general manager. Company CEO Sean Sullivan is leaving after two years of leadership at LTP/Norco.
Firearm Industry Inducts Three Industry Leaders into 2025 Hall of Fame
The NSSF, the Firearm Industry Trade Association, has inducted Robert Delfay, Richard Hammett and Arthur Wheaton into the Hall of Fame at the 2025 SHOT Show.
Golftec Promotes Chris Koske to Chief Marketing Officer
Chris Koske is a 20-year veteran of the golf and sports industries. As CMO (CMO), Koske will oversee brand strategy and marketing for Golftec enterprises, including its flagship Golftec brand and the Skytrak brand.
Gregory Mountain Parent Announces Corporate Name Change
The company believes the new name — Samsonite Group — better reflects its portfolio of customer-centric brands under the Samsonite, Tumi, American Tourister, Gregory, High Sierra, Kamiliant, Lipault, and Hartmann brands as well as other owned and licensed brand names
Pearl Izumi Adds VP of Brand
Gwen van Lingen-OLY joins Pearl from Norco Bikes, where she was most recently head of the brand.
Recall: GiantMouse Pocket Folding Knives
The company sold roughly 600 recalled GM12 and GMP12 button-lock folding pocket knives with titanium or bronze milled scales. The folding knives’ locking mechanism could fail, posing a laceration hazard to the user.
Fitness Ventures to Open a Crunch Fitness in Rockford, IL
The 40,000-square-foot fitness facility is Fitness Ventures, LLC’s 61st gym in the U.S. and second in Illinois. Brian Hibbard, CEO of Fitness Ventures, plans to open 15 more Crunch Fitness franchise locations in 2025.
Bass Pro Shops To Open Outdoor Superstore in Mississippi
The new 75,000-square-foot outdoor superstore is scheduled to open in 2027 along the I-10 corridor in Biloxi, MS. This will be the first Outdoor Superstore for Bass Pro Shops in southern Mississippi.
United Sports Brands Appoints SVP of Marketing
Kyle Schlegel has over 25 years of executive and management experience. Most recently, he served as the VP of Marketing and DTC at Weber, LLC. He has also held senior marketing positions at Wilson Sporting Goods, Hillerich & Bradsby (Louisville Slugger) and Procter & Gamble.
Beyond Yoga Parent Appoints Sephora CEO to Board of Directors
The parent to the Beyond Yoga active lifestyle brand also appointed Artemis Patrick to serve as a member of the board’s Audit and Nominating, Governance and Corporate Citizenship Committees, effective March 1.
Jogology Adds Indie Sales Rep for Northeast
Cole Crosby joins the company as an independent rep with a decade of experience working with brands and retailers in the run specialty channel. His territory for Jogology includes Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.
YogaSix Expands to Asia with First Studio in Japan
YogaSix, backed by Xponential Fitness, joins its other fitness brands that have entered Japan, including Club Pilates, Rumble, CycleBar, Pure Barre, and StretchLab.
NMMA Names New CFO as Craig Boskey Eyes February Retirement
Chase Warden assumes the role on February 10 as longtime NMMA CFO Craig Boskey retires at the end of the month following 20 years with the Association.
Johnson Health Tech Names President of JHT Canada
Greg Lawlor, who has been with the organization since its founding in 2015, was previously the vice president of Business Development at JHT, overseeing revenue growth in the company’s commercial and retail segments.
