Puma Commits To Sourcing Bovine Leather From Deforestation-Free Supply Chains By 2030
Puma reported it signed up for the Deforestation-Free Call to Action for Leather, launched by global non-profits Textile Exchange and Leather Working Group.
Lululemon Launches On Zalando
Expanding on its presence in Europe, Lululemon agreed that Zalando, a European online fashion and lifestyle platform, would be its preferred European online retail seller.
Compass Diversified Board Member Retires
Compass Diversified, owner of Velocity Outdoor, BOA, Marucci, Primaloft, 5.11, and other businesses in the active lifestyle space, announced that C. Sean Day had retired from its Board of Directors, effective June 30, for personal health reasons. Heidi Locke Simon, a former partner at Bain & Company, replaced Day.
Fanatics Partners With Rakuten To Serve Japanese Sports Fans
Fanatics reported it launched its first online marketplace in Japan, opening a store on Rakuten Ichiba, operated by global internet services leader Rakuten Group, to improve access to licensed sports merchandise for customers in Japan.
The Association Of Pickleball Players Partners With Universal Tennis
The Association of Pickleball Players agreed to make Universal Tennis, the creator behind the UTR Rating for tennis, its official ratings partner.
General RV Breaks Ground On 15th Dealership
General RV Center, the largest family-owned RV dealer in the U.S., held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 15th supercenter store in South Weber, UT, its second general RV store in the state.
Kit And Ace Acquired By Unity Brands
Kit and Ace, the technical apparel company started by Lululemon Athletica founder, and ex-CEO, Chip Wilson and his family, was reportedly acquired by Unity Brands, the company run by Canadian retail veteran Joe Mimran.
Birkenstock To Take Over Distribution In Belgium
Birkenstock reported it will take over distribution in the Belgian market from Lanaform, an importer of several brands, and serve the market directly.
Adidas HR Chief To Depart This Month
Adidas AG reported that Amanda Rajkumar, executive board member and labor director of Adidas, responsible for global human resources, people and culture, informed the company’s Supervisory Board that she would not renew her contract, which expires in December 2023 and is leaving the company on July 15. Adidas provided no reason for Rajkumar’s decision.
Stewart Golf Opens First U.S. Customer Care Center In Houston
Stewart Golf, the electric and push golf cart manufacturer, reportedly opened its first U.S. customer care center in Houston, TX, for inquiries, servicing and repairs.
Academy Sports Opens Store In Peoria
Academy Sports + Outdoors opened its first store in Peoria, IL, the second in the state, including the store in Fallon, IL.
Sig Sauer Adds New General Counsel
Laurence Grayer joined Sig Sauer as EVP, general counsel and chief compliance officer as a business partner to provide counsel while furthering corporate business objectives.
Adidas Partners With Roma
Adidas signed a long-term partnership with Roma to become the Italian soccer club’s new kit supplier, replacing New Balance.
Rapala VMC Lowers 2023 Outlook
Rapala VMC Corp., the fishing tackle company based in Helsinki, Finland, lowered its financial outlook for the year, now expecting 2023 operating profits to be “significantly below” 2022 due to marketplace inventory destocking efforts.
MEC Tied For Top Place With Costco As Canada’s Most Trusted Brand
In a tie with Costco, the Gustavson Brand Trust Index recognized Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) as Canada’s most trusted brand. Other brands in the active lifestyle space that made the Index’s Top 50 most trusted brands were Columbia Sportswear at No. 3; The North Face, 12; Patagonia, 15; and Canadian Tire, the parent of SportsChek, 37.
