SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Coats Sells Opti Zips EMEA Business Operations

Coats Group plc, the manufacturer of thread and structural components for apparel and footwear, entered into an agreement to sell its Opti Zips EMEA business to Aequita, a Gemany-based private equity firm.

Under Armour’s Principal Accounting Officer To Exit

Under Armour reported in a regulatory filing that Aditya Maheshwari, senior vice president and principal accounting officer, was leaving the company on August 25 to work for a public company. CFO David Bergman will be appointed on that date as the principal accounting officer for UA.

Balega Founders Launch New Specialty Running Sock Brand

Tanya and Bert Pictor, the founders of Balega Socks, and Luke Rowe, a running industry veteran, have launched a new running sock brand, Jogology, to be sold exclusively at run specialty stores beginning in September.

Athleisure Brand Halara Names President

Halara, the direct-to-consumer athleisure brand, founded in 2020 and headquartered in New York City, hired Gabby Hirata, most recently president and CEO of Diane von Furstenberg, as global brand president.

Suunto is Latest Brand to Drop Prices on Key Models

In a move to make its products more affordable to consumers, Suunto dropped prices on various watch models, effective July 10. Discounts are being offered up to 33 percent on key products.

HanesBrands Names CFO

HanesBrands reported that its interim chief financial officer, Scott Lewis, was appointed chief financial officer effective immediately. Lewis will also continue as chief accounting officer, a position he has held since 2015.

SkyTrak Appoints New SVP for Product Development

SkyTrak appointed John Decastro as SVP of product development with over 25 years of consumer product experience, having held positions with The Coleman Company, Hallmark Cards and Bushnell Outdoors.

Rad Power Bikes To Shutter European Operations

Seattle-based Rad Power Bikes reported it will close its EU operations in 2023 to refocus on the North American market. The company has been selling its bikes in Europe since 2018.

3T Adds New Sales Rep for Australia

Italian gravel and road bike brand 3T hired industry veteran Julian Green as a sales rep covering Australia. Green is responsible for building and supporting the company’s dealer network, driving sales and expanding its regional market presence.

Dick’s SG Tops Active Lifestyle Chains on 2023 NRF Top 100 Retailers List

Dick’s Sporting Goods, once again, is the largest U.S. retailer with prominent active lifestyle offerings on the National Retail Federation’s annual list of the Top 100 Retailers. Among active lifestyle chains, Dick’s was followed in the top five by Bass Pro, Camping World, Academy Sports, and Foot Locker.

McClumsy Apparel Moves to New West Virginia Location

McClumsy, a lifestyle apparel brand based in Thomas, WV, relocated to the historic Colabrese General Store building in Thomas, WV, on its first anniversary. The company officially began business in the building full-time on July 1.