SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Walmart Celebrates “Re-Grand Opening” of 117 Remodeled U.S. Stores
The re-grand opening project represents over a half a billion dollars in capital investments in local communities across 30 states.
QBP Drops DeFeet from Brand Stable; Sock Brand Will Not Add Reps
DeFeet is now entirely in-house with its sales team, employing no independent sales rep. The company distributes in-line products in the U.S. through its remaining domestic distribution partners and its DeFeet B2B platform.
Fanatics Partners with Argentine Football Association
Fanatics entered an e-commerce partnership with The Argentine Football Association (AFA). The long-term agreement will see Fanatics build and operate the AFA’s e-commerce store.
Report: Decathlon Explores Sales of Minority Stake in China Business
Decathlon SA is working with advisors to explore the sale of a minority stake in its China business, sources told Bloomberg. The report indicated that the French retailer seeks a strategic partner to drive regional expansion.
VF Corp. Sees Continued Americas Weakness In U.S. in Q2 Tied to Vans Declines
The company also said that Kevin Bailey will be stepping down from his role as global brand president, Vans. He will remain on the Executive Leadership Team reporting to the CEO and will transition to lead Reinvent, the company’s business transformation plan. CEO Bracken Darrell will be more involved with Vans until a new brand president is found.
Dick’s SG Sued Over Calia Logo
Wooter, a maker of sports apparel based in Staten Island, NY, reportedly filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Dick’s Sporting Goods over the infinity symbol used in the logo of women’s private label brand Calia.
Anytime Fitness Sees Double-Digit Franchise Growth in Q3
Self Esteem Brands, the parent of Anytime Fitness based in Woodbury, MN, reported Anytime Fitness franchise locations saw double-digit increases in same-store sales in the third quarter over the same period in 2022.
PedalCell to Cease Operations
PedalCell, a manufacturer of weather-proof generators for power bikes, announced it will cease operations on January 1.
Rhone Secures New Investors
Rhone, the men’s activewear and lifestyle brand, formed a new consortium of investors, including Blackstone executive and ex-football star Tim Tebow, to buy out the approximately 29 percent stake in the company owned by private equity firm L Catterton.
New Balance Appoints Director, Global Apparel Planning
New Balance promoted Stephen Butch to director of global apparel planning, effective immediately. He has worked for New Balance since 1995, starting as a sales associate in the brand’s Boston factory outlet store.
Report: Golf Apparel Sales Decline for Third Straight Month in September
Galk Datatech is reporting that golf apparel sales were down in on-and off-course specialty stores for the third consecutive month in September, falling 3.7 percent after declining 3.5 percent in August and a 3.6 percent decrease in July.
Fleet Feet Acquires Ultra Running Company
Fleet Feet expands its retail footprint further with the acquisition of Charlotte, NC-based Ultra Running Company. The store was rebranded to Fleet Feet Charlotte–Myers Park.
Martha Headwear Adds Reps for Three More U.S. Sales Territories
Byron Seegers is now responsible for the Pacific Northwest region, Chris Baylinson was tapped to cover the North Atlantic region and Ashley White is now handling retailers in Florida for Martha Headwear.
Deckers Raises Guidance On Hoka and Ugg Momentum, To Divest Sanuk
Powered by healthy double-digit growth from both Ugg and Hoka, Deckers Brands reported earnings jumped 75.9 percent in its fiscal second quarter ended September 30 on a sales jump of 24.7 percent while hiking its outlook for the fiscal year.
On Brand Opens Miami Store
Swiss-running brand On opened a store in Miami, marking the company’s continued retail expansion and fifth store in the U.S.
