SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Skratch Labs Opens New European Headquarters and Distribution Facility

Skratch Labs, based in Boulder, CO, expanded its distribution network to Europe to serve endurance sports retailers and establish Skratch’s DTC online sales capabilities through its new European domain. Skratch Labs tapped industry veteran Sebastian Eckmann as managing director to lead European operations.

Piper Sandler Bolsters Consumer Equity Research Team

Anna Andreeva will join the New York office and is responsible for footwear, softlines and global brand analysis. Andreeva began her career in equity research at J.P. Morgan, where she was part of the number one-ranked Institutional Investor team covering specialty retail.

Consumer Sentiment Falls to 7-Month Low

University of Michigan Survey Director Joanne Hsu stated, “While consumer sentiment declined this month, the 3.5 Index point dip is relatively minor in the grand scheme. That decline is within the margin of error for the survey.”

Duca Del Cosma Names Area Director In Southeast Asia

Amike Krakers, originally from the Netherlands, has lived in Asia for almost two decades and brings expertise to promoting lifestyle brands to the role that will see her support product distributors across the region.

Fromuth Racquet Sports Acquires Tennis-Point

Online retailer Tennis-Point, formerly owned by Signa Sports United, has been acquired by Fromuth Racquet Sport. In the short term, Tennis-Point will be operated as a separate business and keep its name and contact details.

Momentec Brands Names Chairman, CFO and SVP of Product Development

Formed out of the merger of Augusta Sportswear Brands and Founder Sport Group, Momentec Brands appointed David Baxter as chairman, Mike Moore as chief financial officer, and Joel Bennink as SVP of product development. Most recently, Baxter was the president of Under Armour for the Americas Region. Bennink spent 13 years at Under Armour, where he led the growth and development across Team, Golf and Curry-branded apparel.

Crunch Fitness Opens in Kansas

Fitness Ventures LLC, a growing Crunch franchise, operating in over 25 states, owns Crunch Fitness Shawnee, KS.

Planet Fitness Launches Accelerated Share Repurchase Program

Planet Fitness entered into a $280 million accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement with Citibank, N.A.. The company will acquire shares under the Agreement as part of its $500 million share repurchase authorization previously announced.