SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Academy Sports and Outdoors Appoints Chief Customer Officer
In his role as EVP and chief customer officer Chad Fox will oversee omni-channel, marketing, customer insights, and customer care. Fox joined Academy this month and reports directly to Steve Lawrence, CEO of the company.
Lululemon appoints Global Creative Director + VP Design/Outwear
Lululemon announced that Jonathan Cheung was named Global Creative Director, and that JJ Collier joined Lululemon’s Global Design team in the newly created role of VP Design, Outerwear, reporting to Cheung.
NRF Foundation Adds Four Board Members
The new members from Gap, Inc., Dick’s Sporting Goods, Goodwill Industries, and Burlington Stores were elected during the organization’s winter board meeting in New York City, ahead of NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show and the NRF Foundation Honors.
Fleet Feet Franchisee Adds Fifth Store in Ohio
The new store is the fifth location in the Cleveland area for franchisees and husband and wife team Heather and Jody Herzog.
Crunch Fitness Franchisee Secures Investment Capital for Growth
Primetime Fitness, Michigan’s Crunch Fitness franchise development group, partnered with CapitalSpring, a specialist investor in multi-location businesses.
Athleta Parent Gap Inc. Hires Two New Senior Leaders
The parent company of the Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy retail brands has hired Eric Chan as chief business and strategy officer and Amy Thompson as chief people officer.
Snipes Names New CEO as Co-Founder Transitions Out
Dennis Schröder, general manager of Snipes Europe business since April 2023, will succeed Voth and assume responsibility for Snipes Europe. Voth will remain an advisor, with an expected departure by January 1, 2026.
Lev Tanju Joins Fila as Creative Director for Fila+
Fila appointed Lev Tanju, founder of the skatewear brand Palace, as Creative Director of the company’s new sportswear collection, Fila+.
Under Armour Appoints New Americas President and Chief Product Officer
The company appointed Yassine Saidi as chief product officer and Kara Trent as president of the Americas. Both will report to company President and CEO Stephanie Linnartz.
GolfForever Closes on $10M Series A Funding Round
Clerisy, a consumer growth equity fund, led the funding round. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer and PGA Tour winner Tom Kim, joined the round as equity investors and serve as GolfForever brand ambassadors.
USA Hockey Extends Deal with Winmark as Official Resale Partner
Winmark and its portfolio of resale brands, including Play it Again Sports, will continue its exclusive designation as the official resale partner of USA Hockey and as an official sponsor.
Crunch Fitness Opens Fifth Charlotte Location
The 44,000-square-foot fitness facility in Steele Creek occupies a former Club Fitness facility, representing the fifth Crunch location to open in Charlotte, NC.
Pure Hockey Acquires Arizona Hockey Retailer
The company said this strategic move to acquire Behind the Mask marks its first entry into the Arizona market and underscores the company’s commitment to serving the needs of hockey players across the United States.
Puffin Drinkwear Hires VP of Wholesale Sales
Julian Davis will bring his extensive experience in sales and operations, account management and product marketing to the company.
Report: Two-Month Holiday Selling Season Sales Rose 3.07 Percent
Total retail sales for the full calendar year 2023 were up 5.32 percent over 2022, and core retail sales were up 4.46 percent.
