SGB Update Sports & Fitness
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.
Premier Martial Arts Names Brand President
Premier Martial Arts, a franchise brand specializing in teaching karate, krav maga and kickboxing to kids and adults, named Scott Thompson brand president, effective immediately.
Play It Again Sports Parent And Elan Sports Forge Resale Partnership
Winmark Corporation, parent company of used sports equipment retailer Play It Again Sports, has entered into a partnership with snow sports marketer and distributor Elan Sports USA. Winmark will become the Official Resale Partner of Elan, and Elan will be a Premier Sustainability Partner of Winmark and Play It Again Sports.
Walmart Sees 65 Percent Of Stores Serviced By Automation By 2026; Reiterates Guidance
Walmart Inc. kicked off its two-day 2023 Investment Community meeting this week, with leadership highlighting how the company is investing to strengthen its business through its people and an unparalleled, next generation supply chain network of stores, clubs and fulfillment centers.
Dick’s SG Names Chief E-Commerce Officer
Dick’s Sporting Goods hired Denise Karkos, formerly at SiriusXM, as chief e-commerce officer.
Fanatics Acquires Italian Sports Retailer EPI
Fanatics acquired EPI, a Milan-based company that operates e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores for Italian soccer clubs and the NBA. Fanatics will also acquire The Pitch Football Store, a football specialist omnichannel retailer.
Survey: Gen Z Still Prefers Nike, Chick-Fil-A and Goldfish; Off-Price Gets More Attention
Investment bank Piper Sandler Companies completed its 45th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens survey in partnership with Deca. The Piper Sandler survey highlights discretionary spending trends and brand preferences from 5,690 teens across 47 U.S. states with an average age of 16.2 years.
Chums Adds To Team Of Independent Sales Reps
Chums continues to focus on growing its specialty retail business, expanding its rep force to include Rocky Mountain Rep Group, Rep Monsters and independent sales rep Allen Breeding.
Hydrow Adds Board Director, Hires SVP Of Marketing And Sales
Hydrow appointed Laura Lang to its board of directors, and Diana Cino was named senior vice president of marketing and sales.
KT Tape Rebrands To KT
KT Tape has shortened its name to KT as part of a rebrand that features a new logo, visual identity, packaging, website, and the launch of its brand campaign, “Crush Every Moment.”
Marucci Sports Acquires Baum Bat
Marucci Sports, LLC, a subsidiary of Compass Diversified, acquired Baum Enterprises, LLC, a designer and manufacturer of composite wood bats. Terms were not disclosed.
Open Cycle Recalls Certain Branded Bikes And Framesets
Open Cycle AG recalled Open Cycle-branded bicycles, models U.P. Ekar, Upper Ekar, Wide Ekar, Mind Ekar, and all Open Cycle framesets using a Campagnolo hydraulic rear disc brake. The rear brake could fail, posing a crash hazard.
