SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Birkenstock Promotes Van Schalkwyk to Managing Director Pasewalk Facility
Thomas van Schalkwyk, a South African national, oversees the daily operations at Birkenstock’s newest 35,000-square-meter production factory in the Berlin-Szczecin industrial park near Pasewalk, Germany. He has extensive experience in the manufacturing sector.
PickleRage to Open New Club in DC/Baltimore Metro Area
Opening its doors in Q4 2024, the club will be directly adjacent to the Thurgood Marshall International Airport in a densely populated community 11 miles north of downtown Baltimore.
Play It Again Sports Parent Sees Flat Q2 on Planned Decline in Leasing Revenue
The company recently made the decision to no longer solicit new leasing customers and pursue an orderly run-off of its middle-market leasing portfolio. Resulting leasing revenue was halved year-over-year.
Fitness Ventures LLC Set to Open Crunch Gym in Greenwood, IN
The 50,000-square-foot Crunch Greenwood will occupy the former Christmas Tree Shoppe at the Greenwood Pavilion when it opens in fall 2024.
Skechers Expands United Legwear & Apparel Partnership with EU and UK Distribution
Skechers will now have dedicated showroom space at ULAC Europe B.V.’s headquarters in Amsterdam and in its London showroom for its lifestyle and performance socks for men, women and kids.
Fitness International Acquires XSport Fitness
The operator of LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio brands, announced its acquisition of XSport Fitness, expanding its offerings in Chicago, New York and Virginia markets.
U.S. Census Bureau Reports 1.3 Percent YoY Growth for June Core Retail Sales
June’s core retail sales as defined by NRF, based on the Census data but excluding automobile dealers, gas stations and restaurants, were up 0.9 percent seasonally-adjusted MoM and up 1.3 percent unadjusted YoY.
Motocaddy Expands U.S. Sales Team with New Hires
Motocaddy, the electric caddy brand, launched its North American operation in 2020 to offer U.S.-based sales, service and distribution for its electric caddies. The company recently expanded its U.S. sales team with five new hires.
Norco Bicycle Founder’s Family Assumes Full Ownership of Norco Manufacturer
Canada’s largest wholesale distributor of premium bikes, parts and accessories has been independently owned and operated in a partnership between the Lewis and Zalkow families. The Lewis family has now assumed full ownership of the company.
Deloitte Sees BTS Spending Flattening Amid Financial Concerns
Ongoing perceptions of inflation and a cost-of-living squeeze will keep spending steady from last year as K-12 parents weigh prices and priorities in preparation for the new school year as they budget for necessities and make room for a few indulgences.
Rally House Opens in Lakewood, CO
The Lakewood location is the company’s third storefront in the state after opening Rally House Outlets at Castle Rock and Rally House Alcove on Arapahoe at the beginning of June.
Gymshark Opens Second UK Store, Eyes U.S. Expansion
Gymshark Stratford, Westfield store, follows the successful opening of its debut flagship, which opened on London’s Regent Street in 2022. Founder and chief executive, Ben Francis, has his site’s set on U.S. growth with plans to open a New York City pop-up in the next 12 to 18 months.
NRF: Consumers Just Getting Started on Planned BTS Purchases
The NRF noted in its report that while shopping is well underway, most (86 percent) consumers still have at least half of their purchases left to make.
Big Peach Running Co. Partners with Runners Fit on New Franchise Store
The store will remain open while a new sign is installed and other changes are made to convert the store’s branding to Big Peach, with the final conversion steps slated for late July.
Johnson Health Tech Taps Bowflex Vet for HQ Sales for Home International Market
Matteo Corrada will lead the strategic sales efforts for all international home business expansion, including the BowFlex, Schwinn and Horizon brands. Most recently, he worked at BowFlex, which was acquired by JHT in April 2024.
