SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Aventon to Expand into German Market in Spring 2026
the California-based e-bike and cycling product manufacturer and distributor, plans to expand globally with its entry into the German market for Spring 2026. Backed by a German team, the launch includes a dedicated DTC website, local dealers and market-specific e-bike models and categories.
Academy Sports Opens Five Stores
Academy Sports + Outdoors has opened five new stores in the fourth quarter in Russellville, AR; Seguin, TX; Fort Wayne, IN; El Paso, TX; and New Braunfels, TX. With the addition of these stores, Academy will have opened 24 new locations by the end of fiscal 2025.
Crunch Fitness to Open in Owasso, Oklahoma
Crunch Fitness announced plans to open Crunch Owasso in Owasso, OK, in Spring 2026, marking the franchise owner, The Undefeated Tribes, fourth location in the Tulsa area.
Study: Sporting Goods Shoppers Prefer Multi-brand Retail
The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) released the findings from its Shopper Playbook Study, which found that 79 percent of those surveyed favor shopping at multi-brand sporting goods stores when buying sporting equipment over those retailers that offer only one brand.
Foot Locker No Longer Moving HQ to Florida
Foot Locker will no longer move its headquarters to St. Petersburg, Florida after it was acquired by Dick’s Sporting Goods in September.
Nike Reopens Downtown Portland Store with Run Focus
Nike, Inc. reopened its downtown Portland store in the historic Kress Building, following a refurbishment. The revamped layout focuses on running, with flooring that resembles track lanes.
ICSC Sees Uptick in Thanksgiving Weekend Spending
ICSC’s 2025 Thanksgiving Weekend Intentions Survey found that consumers expect to spend an average of $542 over the five-day period, November 27-31, up 2.5 percent from $529 last year. Millennials are expected to outspend all other generations, with an average spend of $764 per person.
Nike Ends Perk Giving Employees One Week Off For Wellness
Nike, Inc. has ended a program that gave employees an extra week off each year to promote mental health and wellness. Nike’s annual “Wellness Week,” which began in 2021, has been held each August.
Circana Sees 2 Percent Growth In October U.S. Retail Revenue
Noticing U.S. continued consumer resilience “to demonstrate their resiliency and flexibility in navigating the challenges facing them,” Circana, LLC. reported U.S. retail dollar sales revenue grew 2 percent while unit demand remained flat during the four weeks of November compared to the same time in 2024.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon Retiring, Succeeded by John Furner
Walmart, Inc. announced that CEO and President Doug McMillon will retire next year, following more than a decade at the helm. He will be replaced by U.S. Division Chief CEO John Furner, who has been with the retailer for over three decades.
Under Armour Splits with Stephen Curry; Raises FY Adjusted Operating Income Outlook
Under Armour and Stephen Curry have mutually agreed to end their 13-year partnership, effective immediately, as the company announced an expansion of its previously disclosed fiscal 2025 restructuring plan. Curry will maintain sole ownership of Curry Brand and is free to find another brand partner.
Puma’s VP of Global Brand and Marketing Exits
Puma brand veteran Richard Teyssier, a 15-year veteran, has left the company as VP of global brand and marketing.
Planet Fitness Targets Low Double-Digit Growth Under New Three-Year Plan
At an Investor Day event held in Boston, Planet Fitness announced a goal to grow revenues in a low double-digit percent CAGR over the three-year period from FY26 to FY28. The growth is expected to be driven by system-wide same-club sales growth in the mid-single-digit percentage range and new club unit growth in the 6 percent to 7 percent range.
Callaway Apparel License Extended with Perry Ellis International
Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. announced that it has extended its multi-year licensing agreement with Perry Ellis International, Inc. for the design, manufacturing and distribution of Callaway-branded golf and lifestyle apparel. The license was originally signed in 2009.
3D-Printing Tech Company, Carbon, Closes on $60M Funding
Carbon, Inc., a Silicon Valley–based additive manufacturing company that has worked with Adidas, Riddell, and cycling brands, raised $60 million in new funding. The round was headlined by current investors Sequoia Capital, Silver Lake, Adidas, Baillie Gifford, Madrone, and Northgate.
