SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Nike CFO of Consumer, Marketplace & Brand Departing for Lysol’s Parent Company
Reckitt Benckiser Group named Shannon Eisenhardt, currently CFO of Nike consumer, brand & marketplace, as CFO of Lysol’s parent company, replacing current CFO Jeff Carr, who is retiring in March 2024. She joins RBG on October 17, 2023.
Puma Makes Leadership Appointments in Europe
Puma has appointed Javier Ortega as general manager Europe, effective September 1. Esteve Planas will succeed Ortega as area general manager for Southern Europe.
Wolverine World Wide’s Debt Ratings Lowered by S&P
S&P Global Ratings reduced the debt ratings of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. as the footwear manufacturer continues to underperform its expectations with “tough industry headwinds to continue to pressure the company’s operating performance at least over the next several quarters.”
Gympass Secures $85 Million In Equity Funding
Gympass announced it raised $85 million in a Series F funding round at a valuation of $2.4 billion, led by EQT Growth, with participation from Neuberger Berman.
Logo Brands Signs 10-Year Licensing Agreement with Utah Utes
The University of Utah is the company’s 35th strategic partnership. Beginning January 1, 2024, Logo Brands and the University of Utah will enter into a 10-year exclusive agreement in the tailgate and inflatables categories.
Peloton Sees Q4 Shortfall on Higher-Than-Expected Subscription Churn/Recall Costs
Peloton Interactive Inc. posted a wider loss than expected in the fiscal fourth quarter as it was impacted by above-plan subscription churn as well as higher-than-expected costs related to a recent recall.
Foot Locker, Inc. Posts Q2 Loss, Cuts Outlook as Sales Fall and Margins Contract
The retailer is pausing its cash dividend payments in the fall after reporting sharp Q2 declines in total sales and comp sales, a loss in GAAP net income, slimmer margins, and a business that reportedly softened further in July.
Alterra Mountain Company Closes on Schweitzer Acquisition
The addition of Schweitzer brings the company’s year-round mountain destinations to 17 in North America, including the world’s largest heli-ski operation.
Franklin Sports Named Official Ball Sponsor of Pickleball Australia
As part of the agreement, Franklin’s X-40 and X-26 pickleballs become the official balls of Pickleball Australia via member associations, clubs, individual members, and sanctioned tournaments.
Dick’s SG Lays Off Corporate Staff to Streamline Cost Structure
A source told Bloomberg News that Dick’s had laid off 250 corporate employees as part of the plan. Retail staff were not impacted.
Academy Sports + Outdoors to Open First Indianapolis Store
The approximately 75,000-square-foot store will sell a wide assortment of sports and outdoors merchandise. The retailer will host a grand opening from August 25-27.
Macy’s Rolls Out Four New Small Format Stores Across West and Northeast
The move marks the first expansion of its small-format locations into the Northeast and Western regions of the U.S., with openings in Boston, Las Vegas and San Diego.
Dick’s SG Axes Outlook on Q2 Profit Shortfall, Blames Inventory Shrink
Dick’s Sporting Goods delivered 1.8 percent same-store growth in the second quarter but profits fell well below Wall Street targets due in large part to shrink. The retailer slashed its earnings outlook for the year on the Q2 shortfall and expected margin pressure in the second half and launched a business optimization program that reportedly includes the layoff of 250 corporate employees.
Macy’s Sees Continued Weakness in Comps; Posts Loss in Second Quarter
The retailer continues to beat Wall Street expectations as it manages through its downward trend. Consolidated comp store sales were down 8.2 percent on an owned basis and down 7.3 percent on an owned-plus-licensed basis.
Fanatics Partners with Home Shopping Network
Fanatics announced it entered a partnership agreement with the Home Shopping Network (HSN) to sell its fan apparel through HSN across all sports, styles and sizes of league and team merchandise it manufactures.
