SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Chandler Bats Acquires Emery Glove
Chandler Bats announced the acquisition of custom baseball glove manufacturer Emery Glove Co., benefiting both companies with product diversification and increased opportunity for customer crossover.
Active Brands Group Hires E-Commerce Manager
Sweden-based ABG hired Rohan Callander as e-commerce manager responsible on expanding the DTC business for its portfolio of brands.
Wolverine’s Debt Ratings Lowered by Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the debt ratings of Wolverine World Wide, Inc., reflecting the company’s significant earnings decline in Q2 2023 and Moody’s expectations for continued weak near-term performance. S&P Global Ratings similarly recently reduced its rating.
Ouray Sportswear to Close Colorado Operations Following Sale
Ouray Sportswear is closing its production facility in Englewood, CO, following its sale to Philadelphia-based L2 Brands in January 2023. The closure will affect 154 jobs.
Rally House Continues Growth In New Store Openings
Rally House opened five new stores in five states this past weekend, they follow the seven stores the retailer opened last weekend. It now counts 16 stores opened in August.
Amped Fitness Names First Franchise Partners
Amped Fitness continues expanding, introducing its first franchise partners, Matt and Kyana Carrico, to the Indianapolis market by 2024, according to CEO Travis Labazzo.
Report Forecasts Flattish Online Growth in U.S. for Holiday 2023
Salesforce’s 2023 Holiday Forecast calls for 4 percent global and 1 percent U.S. year-over-year online sales growth across November and December, reaching $1.19 trillion and $273 billion, respectively.
OrthoLite Bolsters Sales Team in China
OrthoLite added to its sales management team in China, appointing Chuck Yu as director of sales strategy and John Liu as sales manager.
Ace Pickleball Club Plans National Rollout
Ace Pickleball Club, an operator of indoor pickleball facilities, announced further expansion plans with over 50 franchises sold in the U.S., including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Golf Rounds Played Climb in July
Rounds of golf played advanced 3.2 percent in July and are running up 5.0 percent for the first seven months of 2023, according to Golf Datatech.
USPTA Signs Multi-Year Pickleball Deal with Selkirk Sport
The United States Professional Tennis Association announced a three-year agreement with Selkirk Sport. Per the agreement, Selkirk Sport will manufacture the official pickleball and pickleball net of the USPTA.
True Fitness Resets Sales Organizational Structure
True Fitness announced several changes, effective immediately, to its dealer/distribution and direct sales teams, including hiring Dave Whitman as retail sales manager, Marshall Hansen as distribution director for North America, Kurt Parker as director of direct sales, Dean Bowrosen, senior distribution director for the East, and John Talley, senior distribution manager for the West.
Hibbett’s Q2 Profits Tumble Year-Over-Year, Top Wall Street’s Targets
Hibbett, Inc.’s second-quarter profits fell 55.9 percent but still topped analyst targets with some strength in footwear offsetting apparel weakness. The sporting goods chain reiterated its full-year outlook, bucking a trend that saw competitors, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, lower guidance this week.
Rhone Opens Store in Westport
Rhone, the men’s athleisure brand, opened a store in Westport, its first in Connecticut and 14th overall at 7 Main Street.
Athleta Q2 Comps Slide 7 Percent; Parent Gap Inc. Swings to Profit
Athleta net sales totaled $341 million for Q2, down 1 percent compared to last year. While sales continue to be impacted by product acceptance challenges, the brand has taken near-term actions to improve product presentation and creative.
