SGB Update Sports & Fitness
SquadLocker Becomes Official Online Retailer Of USA Diving
SquadLocker has become the official online retailer of USA Diving in partnership with Augusta Sportswear Brands.
Lululemon Expands Resale Program To U.S. Stores
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. announced the nationwide expansion of Lululemon Like New, the brand’s first trade-in and resale program.
Delta Apparel Expects 20 percent Fiscal 2022 Second Quarter Sales Growth
Delta Apparel, Inc. said it expects net sales for its March quarter to be approximately $130 million, representing a 20 percent increase compared to the prior year’s second-quarter result of $108.6 million, with double-digit sales growth in both the Delta Group and Salt Life Group segments.
Topgolf To Open In El Segundo
Topgolf Entertainment Group will open its first location in El Segundo, CA on April 15. The location features traditional and non-traditional ways to play golf through the company’s signature three-level venue. The facility also includes an adjacent ten-hole, lighted, par-3 golf course.
IHRSA Board Nominates Two Board Members
IHRSA announced fitness industry veterans Al Noshirvani and J.J. Creegan as the two nominees for service on its Board of Directors.
Club Champion Opens Four New Studios
Custom club fitter Club Champion announces the opening of four new fitting studios this month, located in Sanford, FL; Mt. Pleasant, SC; Ann Arbor, MI; and Charlottesville, VA.
Brooks Appoints Chief Running Advisor
Brooks has named the two-time US Olympian Des Linden as its new chief running advisor to further support its innovation efforts. Linden will help the running brand conceive and create new products and technology.
Report: Birkenstock Pressuring Retailers To Stop Selling Alleged Copycats
Birkenstock is pressuring retailers to stop selling similar styles from other brands, according to The Wall Street Journal. Nordstrom and Zappos are among those that have reportedly stopped carrying some such styles from Mephisto, Naot, Freedom Moses and Viking Sandals.
Gymshark To Restructure As It Preps For U.S. Expansion
Gymshark could lay off as many as 10 percent of its workforce in an overhaul of the online-only retailer according to reports. The Financial Times reported that the sportswear group also plans to create 100 new jobs as it focuses on the lucrative U.S. market.
U.S. Ports Seeing Brief Slowdown From Last Year But Imports Remain High
The nation’s major retail container ports have begun to catch up with the backlog of cargo seen over the past several months but could experience another surge this summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation.
Fabletics Names Chief Design And Merchandising Officer
El Segundo, CA-based Fabletics, announced that it hired Kelli Dugan as chief design and merchandising officer, responsible for product creation, including merchandising, design and planning. Dugan will also lead the ongoing global expansion of its business into men’s, loungewear and swim.
KKR Formalizes Offer For Accell Group
In a joint press release, Accell Group, the parent of Raleigh, Ghost, Haibike, and other bike brands, and a private consortium headed by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) recommended shareholders accept the all-cash offering for its shares for 1.56 billion euros ($1.76 billion).
NFL, MLB And Players Unions Increase Investments In Fanatics
The NFL, NFLPA, NHL, MLB, and MLBPA all increased their stakes in Fanatics as part of a recent $1.5 billion funding round, Fanatics has confirmed.
Unleashed Brands Names COO And EVP Of Strategy
Unleashed Brands, the franchiser of Urban Air, Snapology, The Little Gym and Premier Martial Arts, has hired Joe Luongo as chief operating officer and executive vice president of strategy.
NPD And IRI To Merge
The NPD Group (NPD) and Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) announced the signing of a definitive agreement to merge the two companies. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
