SGB Update Sports & Fitness

Ultimate Direction Reveals 2016 FKTOY Winners

The hydration and wearable gear brand, in association with UltraRunning Magazine, named Pete Kostelnick and Heather Anderson as the winners of the Fastest Known Time Of The Year Awards.

Crunch Opens Seven New Idaho Clubs

Franchise owners Curtis and David Harman have taken over the existing Idaho Athletic Club chain in the following locations – Boise Black Eagle, Boise State Street, Caldwell, Eagle, Meridian, Silverstone and Nampa.

MC Sports Appoints Liquidators

A joint venture between Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group will conduct the going-out-of-business sale, which is now underway.

Puma Appoints New North America President

Puma appointed Bob Philion, formerly head of Cobra Puma Golf, as president of Puma North America. Last November, Puma announced that the region’s long-time CEO, Jay Piccola, would retire, mid-2017.

VF Issues Soft Guidance For 2017

VF Corp. reported fourth-quarter earnings were down, in line with guidance. Among its major brands in the quarter, North Face was down 8 percent, Vans grew 14 percent, and Timberland gained 4 percent. The company provided a weak outlook for 2017.

Performance Sports Group Completes Inaria Sale

The developer and manufacturer of sports equipment and apparel completed the previously announced sale of its soccer uniforms assets marketed under the Inaria brand name.

Marucci Sports Acquires Victus

Marucci Sports has acquired Victus Sports, a custom wood bat manufacturer and Big League bat supplier.

HanesBrands Distribution Center Achieves Safety Milestone

HanesBrands, the parent of Hanes, Champion and Gear for Sports, stated that its Cleveland Distribution Center, located in Kings Mountain, NC, was one of 34 facilities in the state of North Carolina to achieve 2 million employee hours without injury in 2016.

Usain Bolt To Retire

Sprinter Usain Bolt, Puma’s star athlete, will retire at the age of 30 following the world championships in London in August 2017.

Asics Lifestyle Apparel On The Rise?

The successful relaunch of Asics Tiger two years ago has led to its newest iteration, a premium apparel collection that continues to highlight the Japanese brand’s lifestyle business.

January Retail Sales Expand 3.8 Percent

Sporting goods stores’ sales increased 1.8 percent seasonally adjusted over the previous month and decreased 3.7 percent unadjusted year over year.