SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Reebok Inks Licensing Partner For Sports Equipment
Authentic Brands Group has entered into a long-term licensing agreement with Sakar International to design and distribute Reebok-branded basketball, pickleball, baseball, soccer, and football equipment and electronics, including audio, tech and massage products.
Hanesbrands Gets Debt Ratings Downgrade
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Hanesbrands, Inc.’s debt ratings to reflect the company’s significant earnings declines through 2023 and Moody’s expectation that leverage and coverage credit metrics will remain weak through the first half of 2024.
Delta Apparel to Sell Fayetteville Factory
Delta Apparel, Inc., in a regulatory filing, said it expects to receive net proceeds of $23 million from the sale and long-term leaseback of its approximately 35-acre campus in Fayetteville, NC. The buyer is RH Dunn, LLC.
Report: U.S. Retail Footwear Sales Dip for Thanksgiving Week
Footwear units sold reportedly declined 4 percent in the week ending November 25, but dollar sales declined at a softer rate of 1 percent due to a 4 percent increase in average selling prices (ASPs)., according to Circana’s point-of-sale data.
Topgolf’s Second Louisiana Venue to Open in December
Topgolf reported it will open its Lafayette, LA venue on December 15, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Lafayette, in the Ambassador Town Center.
Sam’s Club to Open Two New Midwest Distribution Centers
The Walmart Inc.’s warehouse club division plans to open two new distribution centers in early 2024 outside St. Louis and Minneapolis.
Academy Sports Trims Guidance on Q3 Shortfall
The retailer narrowed its full-year guidance to the lower end of prior expectations as third-quarter sales and earnings arrived below expectations. The retailer blamed generally soft consumer spending and warm weather’s impact on fall selling.
Costco’s Comps Improved 3.5 Percent in November
Costco Wholesale Corp. reported same-store sales rose 3.5 percent in November. By region, comps increased 1.8 percent in the U.S., 4.4 percent in Canada and 11.7 percent in its Other International segment.
StretchLab Opens its 400th Location
StretchLab, offering one-on-one assisted stretch, opened its 400th franchise location at StretchLab University Village in Colorado Springs, CO. The milestone comes eight months after the company’s 300th studio opened, opening a location every three days in 2023.
Franklin Sports Inks Ball Deal with Pro Volleyball League
The multi-year agreement with Pro Volleyball Federation, North America’s women’s provolleyball league, will see Franklin’s newly designed Real Pro Volleyball become the exclusive volleyball of the League.
Paris Saint-Germain to Relocate to Larger New York City Flagship
Paris Saint-Germain and its partners, Fanatics and Lids, announced plans to move its New York City flagship to a premium location at 535 5th Avenue on December 15 to build on the success of its first Manhattan flagship, at 587 5th Avenue, which opened in March 2022.
Craft Sportswear NA Sees CEO Transition as HQ Moves West
Craft Sportswear North America plans to move its U.S. headquarters from Beverly, MA, to Seattle, WA, in 2024 to “bolster the brand’s expansion in outdoor and specialty retail, all while streamlining operational efficiencies.” Cutter & Buck exec Jake Rawson has been named the new CEO for Craft North America.
NBDA Elects Two New Board Members
The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) elected Clark Butcher from Victory Bicycle Studio in Memphis, TN, and Greg McDonald from Ridleys in Calgary, BC to its Board of Directors.
Running USA Appoints Director of Operations
Running USA announced that Michael Clemons accepted a permanent position as director of operations, effective December 1. Clemons has been working as a contractor for the organization since September.
New Balance Opens Second UK store in Westfield White City
New Balance opened a second retail store in the UK, this time in Westfield White City, on November 27. The retail concept puts people, rather than products, front and center, to inspire each other and find their “authentic” style.
