SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Nite Ize Spins Off Tru Zip to Stand-Alone Brand
Nite Ize, manufacturer of the Tru Zip toothless, dustproof and waterproof zipper, announced that the product now operates as an independent brand. Nite Ize, the product inventor, will remain its sole distributor.
S&S Activewear Taps Industry Veteran to Lead Hard Goods Division
Eric Levin brings over 33 years of industry leadership to this role, having previously founded Jetline, a promotional products business that merged with Prime Line in 2015, which Alphabroder acquired and became the supplier’s hard goods division. Levin served as executive vice president of strategy and growth.
Report: Pickleball Specific Facilities Grew 55 Percent Last Year But Still Lags in Participation Growth
SFIA and Pickleheads have released their second annual report, the 2024 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report, noting that the industry has responded to the shortage of pickleball courts in the U.S., with a 55 percent year-over-year increase in the number of dedicated facilities for play.
Oaktree Solutions Launches Oaktree Sports Ventures; Taps Jayson Willams to Lead Effort
The global public affairs and venture consulting firm has tapped former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams as managing director of Sports Ventures. Williams will also advise Oaktree’s corporate and non-profit clients on engaging the athletic community and addressing issues of mental health and wellbeing.
Newton Golf Narrows Q3 Net Loss as Year-Over-Year Sales Growth Surged
The company, previously know as Sacks Parente Golf, posted a net loss of $1.06 million in the quarter, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million in the year-ago Q3 period. Revenue was $1.2 million in the third quarter, an increase of 1,175 percent year-over-year.
EXEC: Fila USA Continues Downward Spiral as Q3 Revenues Fall 57 Percent Over Two Years
The company said the decline in Q3 was mainly due to the competitive market environment in the sports fashion category caused by “excessive discounting.” The company is now focusing on margin improvement and brand-centric strategies to enhance brand equity.
Golf4Her Launches Mulligan Re-Sell Boutique
The company founded the boutique shopping experience for the “eco-conscious golfer who wants to refresh their wardrobe while embracing sustainability.”
Dillard’s, Inc. Net Income Falls 21 Percent Year-Over-Year as Sales Dip 4 Percent
The retailer reported that Cosmetics was its strongest-performing merchandise category, with the weakest performances noted in juniors’ and children’s apparel and men’s apparel and accessories.
Nordstrom Rack to Open New Idaho Location in Fall 2025
The 25,000-square-foot store will be located in The Village at Meridian, a shopping center that includes Lego, Evereve, Warby Parker, and Brandy Melville. The Village at Meridian is owned and managed by CenterCal Properties, LLC.
Report: Christmas Gifting Trends and Consumer Insights from YouGov Survey
YouGov data suggests word of mouth remains the best way for companies to make their products the hottest Christmas gift of 2024, with 18- to 34-year-olds twice as likely to get their gift ideas that way versus social media.
Wolverine Worldwide Opens Boston Innovation Hub for Product and Design Teams
The 11,000-square-foot facility will accommodate employees from the company’s design and product teams, including Saucony product team members in design, development, product management and merchandising.
S&P: Holiday 2024 Sales Growth Will Fall Short of 2023
S&P Global Ratings is forecasting that holiday sales growth will slow to about 3 percent in 2024 from 4.7 percent last year, remaining below the 10-year average of 5.3 percent. The firm said its outlook is influenced by waning, but persistent, inflation that has pressured household budgets.
October Inflation Rate Gains 20 Basis Points from September’s Year-Over-Year Reading
The CPI, which measures costs across a spectrum of goods and services, increased 0.2 percent for the month. That took the 12-month year-over-year inflation rate to 2.6 percent, up 20 basis points from September.
Winter Occupancy Down on Higher Rates at Western Mountain Resorts
Overall, winter occupancy and rates are pretty even with last winter as of October 31, but the first three months of the season, from November through January, are more sluggish than usual. December is the biggest concern.
Altra Footwear Opens First Colorado Outlet Store
Located at the Outlets at Castle Rock, this new Colorado location will retail past-season and gently-used Altra products to running enthusiasts at significant savings.
