SGB Update Sports & Fitness
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.
Escalade’s Q3 Profits Jump on Improved Margins
Escalade ,Inc. reported third-quarter profits climbed 43.3 percent in the third quarter as strong improvement in gross margins. Sales were down 2.1 percent as healthy demand for basketball and pickleball offset weakness in other categories. Excluding the benefit of a calendar change, sales declined 11.6 percent.
Johnnie-O Names 25-Year Patagonia Exec as CEO
Johnnie-O named John Collins as CEO and Board member, succeeding Dave Gatto, who, the company reported, has “played an instrumental role in Johnnie-O’s journey as CEO and Board director since January 2015.” The company also shared that Gatto would retire this year after a “remarkable career, including the nearly nine years he spent building the Johnnie-O brand and positioning it for future expansion.”
Rally House to Open Store In Kansas City
Rally House Barrywoods Crossing is minutes from the KCI Airport in North Kansas City, making it an “ideal destination for K.C. fans and travelers entering the city.”
Stahls’ Acquires Apparel Order Fulfillment Software Company
Stahls’ acquired Fulfill Engine, a software technology company specializing in decorated apparel order fulfillment, supply chain management and e-commerce store integration.
Adidas Confirms Partnership to Outfit Texas Tech
Adidas will replace Under Armour as the uniform supplier for Texas Tech for the 2024 season. Under Armour’s partnership with the University began in 2006.
On Brand to Open Second London Store
On will open its second store in the UK in East London’s Spitalfields Market on November 3. On opened a flagship on Regent Street in February.
Life Time’s Q3 Profits Surge On 18 Percent Revenue Gain
Profits at the high-end fitness club chain rose 43.1 percent on an adjusted basis in the third quarter on a 17.9 percent revenue gain. Sales were at the low end of guidance but earnings topped expectations.
Pure Hockey Set to Open Second Ohio Location
Pure Hockey reported plans to open two stores in Ohio in late October—one in Mayfield Heights and the other in Columbus.
Report: September Golf Rounds Show Uptick
Golf Datatech reported that U.S. golf rounds played were up 1.6 percent year-over-year in September and increased 3.8 percent year-to-date, according to the research firm’s latest National Rounds Played Report for September 2023.
