SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Thorne Names Chief Growth Officer
Former Kate Spade CMO Mary Beech has been named chief growth officer. Beech will reportedly oversee Thorne’s marketing team and e-commerce business from her base in New York. She will report into Thorne CEO Colin Watts.
Crunch Fitness Appoints Chief Operating Officer
The franchisor’s chief experience officer, Molly Long, was promoted to the company’s new chief operating officer, effective August 12.
Extraordinary Brands Acquires Franchisor Neighborhood Barre
The parent of the Pūrvelo Cycle, Eat the Frog Fitness, and Row House has acquired Neighborhood Barre, marking the fourth boutique fitness brand to join the fitness consolidator.
Gold’s Gym Opens Renovated Space on Path to Atlanta Expansion Plan
The 24,800 sf gym in Dacula is owned by franchisee Koran Winters, who purchased it in 2023. Winters has plans to grow the brand’s footprint in the Atlanta area, with one new gym opening planned per year over the next seven to eight years.
Pickleball Kingdom Continues Expansion in Tennessee
The company is launching two new indoor pickleball facilities in Chattanooga and Memphis, led by franchisees Bappa Mukherji, Anjali Mukherji Doria and Jake Doria
Life Time Files Patent for the “Ultimate” Pickleball
Life Time, operates over 700 pickleball courts nationwide, said that pickleballs on the market often play too slow and the faster balls preferred by pros and higher-end players are inconsistent in bounce and have significant issues with durability.
Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. Commences Secondary Stock Offering of 12 Million Shares
Life Time intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness. The company will not receive any proceeds from selling shares by selling stockholders.
Rally House Adds to Store Count in Wisconsin, Ohio and Minnesota
Rally House continues expansion with new stores in Woodbury, MN; Columbus, OH; and Wauwatosa, WI.
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Reveals Lower Growth in July Core Retail Sales Trend
July’s increase of 1.7 percent was half the June trend, which showed a 3.4 percent increase y/y. Sporting goods, hobbies, music, and bookstores were up just 1.1 percent y/y, while clothing and accessory stores fell 4.8 percent.
S&S Activewear Appoints Chief Commercial Officer
Toby Whitmoyer will oversee sales, marketing and product teams. Whitmoyer will also collaborate with the product and operations teams to ensure strong customer service.
4RUN3, Massachusetts Run Specialty Store and Race Organizer, Shutters
4RUN3, which operated a running store in East Longmeadow, MA and a race management firm that organized races across western Massachusetts, recently filed for bankruptcy and has closed permanently.
PGA Tour Superstore Opens First Store in Michigan
The 42,000-square-foot store is significantly larger than the average 28,000- to 34,000-square-foot store for the chain in Novi, MI.
The Ironman Group Appoints Managing Director of North America
Keats McGonigal began his career at The Ironman Group as an intern in 2007, rising steadily in responsibilities. In this new role, he leads the North American region’s more than 75 full-time employees and over 55 annual events across multiple sporting disciplines.
Former JCPenney CEO, Mike Ullman, Passes Away
In addition to his extensive career leading U.S. and global businesses, Ullman had significant experience in government, academia and philanthropic work focused on health care for those disadvantaged, among other humanitarian initiatives.
NRF: Import Cargo Volume May Peak in August Ahead of Potential Port Strike
The contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance covering East Coast and Gulf Coast ports will expire on September 30. The ILA has threatened to strike if a new contract is not reached by then.
