SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Report: U.S. Footwear Sales Inched Up in Q1 on Rising ASPs, Performance Strength
The U.S. footwear industry’s sales inched up 1 percent in the first quarter, supported by higher average selling prices (ASP) and momentum in the performance footwear category, according to Circana’s Retail Tracking Service data. The gains were led by running, cross-training , along with sport-oriented shoes for golf and tennis.
Game One Appoints Matt Kaplan as Chief Strategy & Growth Officer
Game One, the team dealer consortium based in Swanton, OH, appointed Matt Kaplan, formerly president of OrderMyGear (OMG), as chief strategy & growth officer, to help propel its next phase of growth.
Academy Sports to Offer Senior Notes
Academy Sports + Outdoors announced plans to offer $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes due 2031 in a private offering. The funds will be used to redeem all of its outstanding senior secured notes due 2027 and repay all outstanding amounts owing under its term loan facility.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Inches Up In April Despite Gas Price Surge
U.S. consumer confidence inched up slightly in April amid a rally in share prices following a ceasefire in the war with Iran and improved perceptions of the labor market, according to The Conference Board. The improvement came despite concerns about the conflict in the Middle East and rising gas prices. The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer […]
8AM Golf Invests in Newly Formed McLaren Golf
8AM Golf reported that it has become an “investor, partner and advisor” to McLaren Golf, the golf club brand just launched by McLaren Racing.
Running USA Names Manager of Business Development
Running USA hired Matt Chittim as manager of business development. Based in Coventry, Rhode Island, Chittim joins Running USA following nearly a decade in the running media space through his work with Rambling Runner Media
Academy Sports Debt Ratings Outlook Lifted To Positive by Moody’s
Moody’s Ratings changed Academy, Ltd.’s debt ratings outlook to positive from stable due to the retailer’s “continued strong credit metrics, driven by materially lower debt and healthy free cash flow generation.”
Brooks Running Bangs Out Strong DD Growth in North America and EMEA in First Quarter
The brand reported sales grew 23 percent in the first quarter, supported by 20 percent growth in North America and 30 percent currency-neutral growth in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Sales in China vaulted 136 percent year over year. Strong selling styles included the Glycerin, Adrenaline GTS, Hyperion Elite, Cascadia Elite and Glycerin Flex.
Five Iron Golf Opens First Location in Saudi Arabia
Five Iron Golf officially opened its first location in Saudi Arabia. Located on the ground level of PIF Tower in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and spanning more than 12,000 square feet, the space features 11 simulators, including a mix of Trackman and Golfzon technology.
Life Time to Open Two Locations in Phoenix Area
Life Time opened a 91,000-square-foot club in the Paradise Valley Village neighborhood in northeast Phoenix and plans to open a 102,000-square-foot location on May 4 in Gilbert, southeast of Phoenix. With the openings, Life Time will have nine locations in the Phoenix-Scottsdale metro.
Gildan Activewear’s Q1 Impacted by Planned Inventory Reductions
Gildan Activewear’s first-quarter sales surged 63.8 percent due to last December’s acquisition of HanesBrands, but were down 9.3 percent on a pro-forma basis due to planned lower sell-ins to reduce inventories to better align manufacturing capacity. Adjusted operating margins topped guidance. The company maintained its full-year 2026 guidance.
Life Time Group Holdings Closes $200 Million in Sale-Leaseback Deals
The company said it plans to close an additional $200 million of sale‑leaseback transactions this year, bringing total expected sale‑leaseback proceeds for the year to $400 million.
Pure Hockey Acquires Perani’s Hockey World
Perani’s Hockey World has 22 locations across the Midwest and surrounding regions which will be rebranded as Pure Hockey, bringing the company’s total retail footprint to more than 110 locations nationwide.
Lululemon Founder Casts Doubt on CEO Hire, Urges Shareholders to Back His Board Nominees
In an escalating battle ahead of Lululemon’s annual meeting, Chip Wilson, the retailer’s founder and significant shareholder, issued a letter to shareholders again loudly calling out Lululemon’s board’s alleged mismanagement, including expressing skepticism on the hiring of former Nike executive Heidi O’Neill as CEO, while urging shareholders to vote for his three nominees for the board.
Garmin Rides Very Strong Q1 Fitness Segment Growth to Strong DD Earnings Increase
The company reported record consolidated revenue of approximately $1.75 billion in Q1, a 14 percent increase compared to the prior-year first quarter, paced by an amazing 42 percent jump in revenue in the Fitness category.
