SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Merrell and Saucony Post DD Q1 Growth at Wolverine Worldwide
Merrell increased 13.2 percent (+14.4 percent cc) in the first quarter, and Saucony jumped 29.6 percent (+31.1 percent) year-over-year. International business increased 16.4 percent year-over-year.
OrderMyGear Partners with Stahls to Support Print-on-Demand Retailers
The integration will support print-on-demand stores with single-unit or low order minimums, with decoration and fulfillment at the time of placement, limiting upfront inventory costs and automating the process for fulfilling online orders.
PickleRage Continues Michigan Expansion with Franchise Club in Portage
The club will be in Romence Plaza, which is part of the 168,000-square-foot Shoppes at Romence Village, one of Portage’s premier shopping centers, a quarter mile from Westnedge Avenue in the area’s busiest retail corridor.
Costco April Comps Grow 6.7 Percent x-Gas; E-Commerce Up High Teens
Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $21.18 billion for April, the four weeks ending May 4, 2025, an increase of 7.0 percent from $19.80 billion in 2024.
Fleet Feet Chicago Opens Ninth Chicagoland Store
Fleet Feet Chicago opened its first Chicagoland store in 1996. The Algonquin store marks the ninth Fleet Feet Chicago network store, owned and operated by Dave and Lisa Zimmer.
NRF Chief Economist: Top-Line GDP Figures Overstate the Weakness in the Economy
The NRF reported private final sales to domestic purchasers, a measurement that focuses on consumer and business spending, were up 3.1 percent following a 2.2 percent gain in the prior quarter, suggesting a relatively steady pace of growth.
Golf VX Franchise to Open Second Venue in Dartmouth
The indoor golf entertainment brand, announced a milestone in its franchise expansion with the opening of its newest location, Golf VX Boston, in Dartmouth, MA, this coming June.
Unrivaled Sports Reports $120M Investment Led by Dick’s Sporting Goods
The youth sports platform, led by former Nike COO and CFO Andy Campion, received a $120 million investment led by Dick’s Sporting Goods. Other participants included Miller Sports + Entertainment, Dynasty Equity, LionTree, and The Chernin Group.
Branwyn Appoints Deanne Buck CEO; Sarah Cumming Chief Financial & Ops Officer
Buck succeeds outgoing CEO Jeff Shafer as he and Co-Founder Lauren Shafer transition into advisory roles. Joining Buck on the leadership team is Sarah Cumming, who has been appointed chief financial and operations officer.
Dick’s to Open First House of Sport in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Dick’s plans to open the store in New Jersey’s Cherry Hill Mall in 2026. The retailer plans to open 16 House of Sport stores in 2025 with a goal to have between 75 to 100 locations nationwide in operation by the end of 2027.
Dunham’s Sports to Open First Store in New Mexico
The Michigan-based sporting goods retailer, is expected to open the Santa Fe store at the end of 2025, in a 60,000-square-foot space once occupied by the bankrupt Conn’s HomePlus.
Kane Footwear Names Chief Marketing Officer
Mark Tarnuzzer will be key in shaping the designer and manufacturer of active recovery footwear’s strategy, marketing activations, partnerships, and optimizing e-commerce performance.
9Round Kickboxing Fitness Names President
Drew Stauffacher was promoted from VP of Operations to president. He has worked for the franchise brand for 13 years. Shannon Hudson, founder and CEO of Striking Brands, the parent company, will shift his focus to overseeing the management of the company’s brand portfolio.
Reebok Appoints New Head of Basketball
Reebok has named Jide Osifeso, founder of the contemporary menswear label Hymne, as its new head of basketball. Reebok re-entered the basketball category following its acquisition by Authentic Brands Group in 2022.
Five Iron Golf to Open Locations in New York and Connecticut
New franchise locations are underway in New York (Port Chester and Syracuse) and Norwalk, CT. The golf-entertainment venue operates 34 locations in 15 states and five countries, with a reported over 50 in development.
