SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Under Armour Replaces Reebok As Footwear Partner For UFC
Under Armour Inc.’s Project Rock brand featuring former pro wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has replaced Reebok as the official footwear partner of UFC, the mixed martial arts organization.
Nike Appoints SNKRS VP To Lead New Virtual Studios Division
Nike announced it had appointed Ron Faris as the VP of its SNKRS app and lead its Virtual Studios, a new division supporting Nike’s latest push into the metaverse.
KKR Acquires Accell For $1.77BN
A consortium led by buyout firm and Teslin Alpine Acquisition has agreed to a takeover of Accell Group that values the maker of bike brands, including Raleigh, Haibike, Ghost, Koga, Sparta, and Batavus at Є1.56 billion ($1.77 billion).
Port Of Los Angeles Breaks Cargo Record In 2021, Sets Priorities For 2022
Breaking its previous calendar year record by 13 percent, the Port of Los Angeles processed about 10.7 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) during 2021. The milestone, a Western Hemisphere record, was announced by Port Executive Director Gene Seroka in his address at the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association’s Seventh Annual “State of the Port” event held virtually this year.
Inov-8 Makes France A Direct Market; Hires Sales Manager For The Region
UK-based Inov-8 announced its growth plans for France after adding the country to its portfolio of direct European markets. The brand also announced it had appointed Emmanuel (Manu) Fedon as sales manager for France.
Activist Investor Urges Peloton To Fire CEO, Explore Sale
In a letter to Peloton’s Board of Directors, activist investor Blackwells Capital called for its directors to fire the company’s CEO, Co-founder John Foley, and to weigh a sale as the connected fitness firm’s shares dropped amid falling sales.
Escalade Completes Acquisition Of Brunswick Billiards
Escalade Inc. announced that it has completed its acquisition of the assets of the Brunswick Billiards business from Life Fitness.
NPD Sees Performance Footwear Climb Double-Digits In Fourth Quarter
The NPD Group reported performance footwear sales in the U.S. grew 12 percent in the fourth quarter against the pre-pandemic 2019 fourth quarter. Sales on the same basis of leisure footwear inched up 2 percent while fashion footwear declined 4 percent.
Kohl’s Receives Pressure From Two Possible Suitors
Kohl’s shares are set to surge Monday morning as the department store chain is reportedly fielding interest from two suitors at the same time that it’s grappling with multiple activist investors pressuring it to sell.
ICSC Survey: Holiday Sales Grew 17 Percent
As retail sales grew 17 percent year-over-year in November and December, ICSC’s (International Council of Shopping Centers) 2021 Post-Holiday Survey has found that consumers spent an average of $1,011 this holiday season, with 226 million consumers spending money on holiday gifts.
Walmart Appoints New U.S. E-Commerce Chief
Walmart has tapped Tom Ward to lead its e-commerce division after the departure of Casey Carl, according to a company memo as first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Rally House Opens 100th Location
Rally House hit a major milestone with the opening of its 100th store in Lawrence, KS.
Nike To Close Factory Store In Louisville
Nike closed a Nike Factory Store at Shelbyville Road Plaza in Louisville, KY.
Fanatics Appoints General Counsel
Fanatics announced the appointment of its first General Counsel, Shiri Ben-Yishai to oversee its legal affairs worldwide, including commerce, collectibles, betting and gaming, and NFT’s.
Peloton Considers Layoffs But Denies Reports It Will Suspend Bike Production
Peloton, in a note on its website, confirmed it is considering layoffs, but denied a report that the company would temporarily halt production of its bikes to realign supply with softer demand. In a separate press release, Peloton indicated its fiscal second-quarter revenue would be within its previously forecasted range.
