SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Revo Expands Golf Division To Include Racquet Sports
Revo has expanded its Golf division to include racquet sports and hired six additional tennis reps in response to industry growth in the golf, tennis and pickleball categories.
Kohl’s Sends Letter To Shareholders Highlighting Board Leadership And Robust Process
Kohl’s Corporation on Thursday mailed a letter to shareholders detailing the steps the Board has taken to maximize shareholder value ahead of its May 11 annual meeting. The steps include a robust and intentional process to evaluate potential bids. Kohl’s said the letter also summarizes activist invesor Macellum’s “shifting narrative and short-term focus on a sale of the company at any price.”
Golftec Opens Location In Phoenix
Golftec opened a new instruction and club fitting center in Phoenix, AZ.
Fanatics Plans New Distribution Operations In Maryland
Fanatics is opening a new 500,000-square-foot distribution center in Aberdeen, MD. The East Coast location creates 135 full-time jobs, enhances its existing distribution capabilities with access to overnight delivery to one-third of its U.S. customer base, and is convenient to the Port of Baltimore and BWI airport to ship globally.
Decathlon Suspends Operations In Russia Over Public Outcry
Decathlon, the largest global sporting goods chain based in France, said it is suspending activities in Russia due to challenges securing supplies. The retailer had faced criticism for remaining open during the war Russia continues to wage against Ukraine.
Vuori Announces International Launch
Southern California-inspired activewear brand Vuori launched in the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Australia, and Canada, marking the company’s global rollout announced late last year.
F45 Training Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
F45 Training Holdings, Inc. announced it hired Brian Killingsworth as chief marketing officer, reporting to Adam Gilchrist, president, CEO and chairman.
Hibbett Promotes Supply Chain And Merchandising Veterans
Hibbett, Inc. has promoted Mike McAbee and Stephani Smith to SVP, supply chain and store development and SVP, merchandising, respectively.
OrthoLite Announces New Sales Manager For Portugal
OrthoLite expanded its global sales management team in Europe, appointing Marisa Costa as sales manager for Portugal.
Lululemon Q4 EPS Beats Guidance
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. reported earnings on an adjusted basis rose 30 percent in the fourth quarter ended January 30 as comparable sales increased 22 percent. Earnings came in above updated guidance provided on January 10.
Obit: George Dickerman
George Dickerman, former president of Spalding Sports Worldwide, passed away at the age of 83.
New Balance Officially Opens Methuen Factory
New Balance, on Monday, officially opened its new athletic footwear factory in Methuen, MA. The 80,000-square-foot facility, which underwent a $20 million renovation, began production in January 2022.
Academy Sports’ Q4 Comps Expand 13 Percent
Academy Sports + Outdoors reported comparable stores jumped 13.1 percent in the fourth quarter and 18.9 percent in the year ended January 29. Adjusted earnings in the quarter grew 40.9 percent, exceeding Wall Street targets. Academy predicted sales in the current year would decline 1.6 percent at the mid-point of its range but be up 38.0 percent versus the pre-pandemic 2019 period.
Fanatics Partners With WWE
The WWE signed a long-term merchandising deal with Fanatics. The deal includes official WWE NFTs, offered through Fanatics’ Candy Digital division, trading cards, which will operate through Topps, which Fanatics acquired from former Disney CEO Michael Eisner earlier in 2022. It also includes physical and digital licensed merchandise, with Fanatics launching a WWE shop this summer.
Delta Apparel Launches ‘On-Demand’ Digital First Solution
Delta Apparel, Inc. announced the expansion of its digital print business using newly installed digital print technology in collaboration with Fanatics.
