SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Retail Sales Up Again in June Despite Slower Job Growth

The U.S. Census Bureau is reporting overall retail sales in June were up 0.2 percent from May and up 1.5 percent year-over-year (YoY). Sporting goods stores were down 1 percent MoM seasonally adjusted and down 0.9 percent unadjusted YoY.

Dutch E-Bike Maker VanMoof Declared Bankrupt

Dutch e-bike manufacturer VanMoof has been declared bankrupt in the Netherlands. The company had entered into a “suspension of payment” proceeding with court-assigned administrators last week to avoid bankruptcy proceedings while pursuing options to reduce debt, including a sale.

Pvolve Awards 19 New Franchise Studios

Pvolve awarded nine new franchise locations, bringing the total number awarded and open, or in development, to 19 across the U.S. and Canada.

Academy Is Opening Two More Stores In Central Texas In F23

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported it will open two new stores in Central Texas this fall in Brenham and Kyle, respectively and is on track to open 13-to-15 stores in 2023, with the goal of opening 120-to-140 new stores by the end of 2027.

Nation’s Capital Region Leads Fittest Cities in 2023

Arlington, VA and Washington, D.C., are ranked as the top two cities, respectively, in the 16th annual ACSM American Fitness Index rankings report published by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Elevance Health Foundation.

Nike Ends Sponsorship of Hockey Canada

Nike ended its sponsorship of Hockey Canada. Last year, Nike was one of several major partners that paused its sponsorship deal with Canada’s governing hockey body amid heavy criticism of the organization’s handling of sexual assault allegations involving members of its 2018 World Junior team and settlement payouts.

Thule Group Appoints New CFO

Thule Group appointed Toby Lawton as chief financial officer and a Group management team member based at its Headquarters in Malmö, Sweden. Lawton will assume his position latest in January 2024.

Canada Ports Strike to End After Tentative Deal Is Reached

A 13-day-old strike that disrupted shipments at Canada’s western ports, including the Port of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, is scheduled to end after the dockworkers’ union and a group of employers agree on a tentative deal.