SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Wolverine Worldwide Enters Licensing Agreements for Merrell and Saucony Brands
WWW entered two new global licensing agreements as part of its ongoing “strategic transformation” into a brand-led growth company for Merrell and Saucony kids footwear and Merrell apparel and accessories.
Big 5 Sporting Goods Falls to Q1 Loss as Comps Fall 13.5 Percent
The company said the calendar shift of the Easter holiday, during which the company’s stores were closed, from Q2 2023 to Q1 2024, negatively impacted sales comparisons by approximately 100 basis points.
Fanatics Adds Sunderland AFC to Football Club Portfolio
Fanatics becomes the exclusive operator for the Club’s online and stadium store and includes a significant investment in a new retail store at the Stadium of Light.
Vista Outdoors Postpones Investor Day as it Measures Suitor’s Interest
Initially scheduled for May 29, the event will now take place early in the fall at the company’s Adventure Sports headquarters in Irvine, CA. The company will share the rescheduled date closer to the event.
One Stop Sports Rebrands to Replay Sports Cards
With national expansion on the horizon, the team is focused on building a “robust” training program for future Replay Sports Cards shops nationwide. Community Franchise Group is assisting in the company’s growth.
Wolverine Worldwide Appoints Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
Dave Latchana was promoted to chief legal officer and corporate secretary, overseeing the company’s legal, compliance, corporate communications, risk management, ESG, security, and loss prevention functions.
Tailwind Nutrition Hires VP of Marketing
Kristen Flemington joins the company from Dutch Bros Coffee where she provided integrated marketing support prior to the company going public in 2021.
Gymshark Names Adidas Exec As First Wholesale and Retail Boss
Hannah Mercer joins the activewear brand after working at Adidas for six years as global vice president, where she reportedly “masterminded and executed the brand’s global retail strategy.”
Life Time Appoints Chief Science Officer
James LaValle, clinical pharmacist, C.C.N.M.T., as chief science officer to “spearhead the development and implementation of scientific initiatives and strategic relationships” to support Miora, Life Time’s new longevity and performance program.
Skechers Opens First Concept Store In Brussels
Skechers expanded its retail presence across Belgium with a new 5,270-square-foot store showcasing the brand’s footwear, apparel and accessory collections.
Rally House Opens Storefronts in Chicago, New Jersey, New York, and Kentucky
The retailer opened Rally House Old Orchard (Chicago), Rally House Deptford Mall (Deptford, NJ), Rally House Jefferson Mall (Louisville, KY), Rally House Walden Galleria (Buffalo, NY)
Life Time Continues Commitment to Health and Fitness in Dallas-Fort Worth
Life Time Las Colinas in Irving is nearly 110,000 square feet and opens on April 26; later this summer, Life Time will open a gym in Westlake, TX.
Report: U.S. Footwear Market Flat Year-Over-Year in First Quarter
Circana is reporting that the footwear market turned a corner in the first quarter, in terms of retail sales, as U.S. footwear industry sales revenue remained on par with Q1 2023, at $9.1 billion, and units sold experienced a 1 percent lift.
Beacon Athletics and Aer-Flo Sports Announce New VP of Sales and Marketing
Gregg Nelson joins the organizations with “an extensive background in the sports business and deep experience leading sales and marketing teams that have sold to universities, pro teams, architects, and both contractors and general contractors.”
Report: Sporting Goods Manufacturers’ Sales Grew 4.2 Percent in 2023
In 2023, the sporting goods industry grew 4.2 percent compared to 2022, reaching $121.66 billion, according to the SFIA report, and grew 26.8 percent compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
