SGB Update Sports & Fitness
BRC: March UK Retail Foot Traffic Up 6.8 Percent But Lags February Rate
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is reporting that total U.K. footfall (retail foot traffic), as measured by BRC-Sensormatic IQ data, increased by 6.8 percent in March year-over-year (YoY), 3.6 percentage points worse than February and worse than the 3-month average increase of 9.5 percent.
NRF: Full Effect Of The Fed’s Monetary Tightening Has Not Shown Up
The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Chief Economist, Jack Kleinhenz, believes its recently-published 2023 retail sales forecast was one of the most difficult written to date.
Nike Opens Rise Store In Bellevue, WA
Nike, Inc. opened a Nike Rise store in the Bellevue Square Mall in Bellevue, WA. The 8,800-square-foot space is the second Rise store in the U.S. after Nike Aventura in Miami, FL.
Titleist, Footjoy Parent Names New CFO
Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist and Footjoy, has named Sean Sullivan as executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Stephen Curry Earns $75M Stock Grant Under New Under Armour Contract
Under Armour, Inc., according to a regulatory filing, awarded Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry restricted stock units for 8.82 million shares of its Class C common stock as part of his new long-term contract with the company.
IHRSA Trade Show Sees Jump In Participants
IHRSA reported that its 2023 Convention and Trade Show held in San Diego, CA from March 20 to 22 drew 8,500 participants, up from about 6,000 attendees to its 2002 show, the first since the pandemic, held in Miami Beach, FL.
EoS Fitness Acquires Houston Fitness Chain
EoS Fitness increased its Texas presence bringing its national footprint to 75 open gyms with the acquisition of Houston-based Texans Fit, a five-gym chain founded by the Houston Texans and fitness company M6 Football.
Mastercard: March Retail Sales Up 4.7 Percent, Driven By Growth In Service Sector And Grocery
According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment, U.S. retail sales, excluding automotive, were up 4.7 percent year-over-year in March.
Ermenegildo Zegna Swings To 2022 Profit On Double-Digit Sales Growth
Ermenegildo Zegna N.V. reported that revenues for 2022 were €1.49 billion, up 15.5 percent year-over-year. Excluding the Greater China Region, which was affected by COVID-19-related restrictions throughout 2022, mainly from mid-March to the end of May and then again in the fourth quarter, 2022 revenues were up 42 percent year-over-year.
Meijer To Open Indiana Supercenter
Meijer will open a new 159,000-square-foot supercenter in Elkhart, IN, on May 11, making it the 11th Meijer store in Northern Indiana, and will include a Meijer Express gas station, scheduled to open on April 13 adjacent to the center.
Nike, Inc. Appoints New EVP & Chief Communication Officer; Nigel Powell To Retire
Nike, Inc. promoted KeJuan Wilkins to EVP, chief communications officer effective June 1. He succeeds Nigel Powell, the company’s long-time EVP/CCO, who is retiring this summer.
Pentland Brands Names New Global Chief Operating Officer
Pentland Brands, parent company to Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury, Ellesse, and Mitre brands, promoted Abhy Thomas-Joseph to global chief operating officer. He will replace Jon Godden, who is leaving the company in June after 16 years with the company.
Leadership Change At Wattbike
After over ten years at Wattbike, Richard Baker is stepping down as CEO. Stephen Loftus, most recently chief commercial officer at Brompton, will assume the role on May 1. Baker will remain with the brand as a special advisor to the Board.
Mtntough, Inc. Names Chief Marketing Officer
Mtntough, Inc. named Ryan Watson as chief marketing officer responsible for developing and monitoring the brand’s overall business marketing strategies, including market research, digital marketing, public relations and communications, and strategic partnerships.
Costco Sees March Comps Slip On Changes in Gas Prices, FX Rates
Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $21.71 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 2, 2023, representing an increase of 0.5 percent from $21.61 billion last year.
