SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Osprey Appoints Kenny Ballard as Chief Operating Officer
Osprey Packs, Inc. announced that outdoor industry veteran Kenny Ballard has joined the company in the newly created role of chief operating officer. As COO, Ballard will head up Osprey Packs operations, IT, purchasing, quality and returns as well as huma
Wolverine to Produce Athletic Shoes in Michigan for US Military Recruits
Wolverine Worldwide Inc. is well on its way to producing athletic shoes for U.S. military recruits at its factory in Michigan thanks to a partnership between its Merrell, Saucony and Bates brands, according to Chairman and CEO Blake Krueger…
New Pentagon Policy Seen as Boost to US Footwear Manufacturers
Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Christine Fox announced Friday that the Department of Defense will provide military recruits with American-made footwear, rather than giving them a stipend to buy their own training shoes. New Balance, which had lobbied
Flip Flop Shops Announces Caribbean Development Deal
Flip Flop Shops inked a master franchise agreement with the team behind Happy Toes Caribbean. The agreement calls for the establishment and development of at least 20 new shops throughout the islands, the first of which will open in Aruba…
LifeFitness Heats Up As Q1 Freeze Ices Sales at Brunswick’s Other Segments
Brunswick Corp. reported net sales decreased 3 percent in its first quarter as gains in its Fitness segment could not offset the impact of harsh winter weather on its Marine Engine, Boat and Bowling and Billiards segments…
J. America Appoints President, Team Licensed Group.
J. America, Inc., the licensed apparel company, appointed Ben Turner as president of the Team Licensed Group (TLG). Prior to J. America, Turner held senior executive positions at Colosseum Athletic, Reebok, and Adidas…
Deckers Sees Double-Digit Gains in Spring Quarter
Led by a 15.8 percent gain for Ugg, Deckers Outdoor Corp. reported sales increased 11.7 percent in its three-month transition period ended Mar. 31, to $294.7 million. The company recently changed its fiscal year from Dec. 31 to Mar. 31, and, as a result,
Patagonia’s New Venture Fund Backs Waterless Laundering Technology
Patagonia has joined Nike and Adidas to become the latest athletic apparel brand to invest in water saving textile technology. The outdoor brand made a strategic investment in CO2Nexus Inc., a Colorado company that has developed a sustainable method of pr
Footwear and International Boosts UA’s Q1
With ongoing robust growth is apparel and “meaningful acceleration” in both footwear and its overseas businesses, Under Armour, Inc. reported net revenues vaulted 36.0 percent in the first quarter, to $642 million…
SKLZ Names VP OF Marketing
SKLZ announced that Laura Wolf Stein has been named vice president of marketing, Brian Farber has been named soccer product manager and Chuck Rodrigues has been named director of sales for the mass/club channel…
Unifi Says CAFTA Sourcing Boosted Fiscal Q3 Results
Unifi, Inc. reported net income rose sharply in the third quarter ended March 30 as brands sourced more of their apparel from factories in the Central American Free Trade Agreement production area…
Point6 Announces 2014 Athlete Ambassadors
Point6, makers of premium merino wool socks, announced its team of 2014 athlete ambassadors…
Sports Direct Reports Double Digit Sales Gain
Sports Direct International plc, the UK's leading sports retailer, reported Group sales for the nine weeks ended March 30 were up 10.3 percent to £360.0 million ($435mm) and gross profit increased 11.5 percent to £147.0 million ($178mm), excluding re
Brown Shoe Rings Closing Bell to Celebrate NYSE Anniversary
Brown Shoe Company, owner of brands such as Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, Via Spiga and Naturalizer, rang The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary of listing on the NY
Reebok Celebrates New Brand Mark at London’s Marble Arch
Reebok brought London’s fitness communities together at Marble Arch to celebrate its new brand mark – the Reebok Delta symbol. Hundreds of fitness enthusiasts took part in simultaneous CrossFit, BODYCOMBAT and Spartan Race workouts…
