EXEC: Yue Yuen Sees Improving FW Manufacturing but China Retail Still a Drag
The volume of shoes shipped during the first half period increased by 9.9 percent to 120.7 million pairs amid a “decent recovery trend” and a further normalized order book. Pou Sheng China retail decreased 12.7 percent to $1.38 billion in U.S. dollar terms for the first half.
Crunch to Open Fitness Studio in Louisiana
Crunch Mandeville, the $5 million, 29,000-square-foot fitness facility, operated by franchisee Fit Fusion, LLC, will open in December in Mandeville, LA.
Thorne Names Chief Growth Officer
Former Kate Spade CMO Mary Beech has been named chief growth officer. Beech will reportedly oversee Thorne’s marketing team and e-commerce business from her base in New York. She will report into Thorne CEO Colin Watts.
Crunch Fitness Appoints Chief Operating Officer
The franchisor’s chief experience officer, Molly Long, was promoted to the company’s new chief operating officer, effective August 12.
Extraordinary Brands Acquires Franchisor Neighborhood Barre
The parent of the Pūrvelo Cycle, Eat the Frog Fitness, and Row House has acquired Neighborhood Barre, marking the fourth boutique fitness brand to join the fitness consolidator.
Gold’s Gym Opens Renovated Space on Path to Atlanta Expansion Plan
The 24,800 sf gym in Dacula is owned by franchisee Koran Winters, who purchased it in 2023. Winters has plans to grow the brand’s footprint in the Atlanta area, with one new gym opening planned per year over the next seven to eight years.
Pickleball Kingdom Continues Expansion in Tennessee
The company is launching two new indoor pickleball facilities in Chattanooga and Memphis, led by franchisees Bappa Mukherji, Anjali Mukherji Doria and Jake Doria
Life Time Files Patent for the “Ultimate” Pickleball
Life Time, operates over 700 pickleball courts nationwide, said that pickleballs on the market often play too slow and the faster balls preferred by pros and higher-end players are inconsistent in bounce and have significant issues with durability.
EXEC: Mizuno Corp. Fiscal Q1 Profits Expand DD on Solid Sales Growth
Sales in Japan remained robust in competitive sports including soccer, volleyball and racket sports, and sales in the work business remained strong. Non-Japan sales also continued to grow in products for competitive sports such as soccer, and lifestyle shoes.
Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. Commences Secondary Stock Offering of 12 Million Shares
Life Time intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness. The company will not receive any proceeds from selling shares by selling stockholders.
Rally House Adds to Store Count in Wisconsin, Ohio and Minnesota
Rally House continues expansion with new stores in Woodbury, MN; Columbus, OH; and Wauwatosa, WI.
CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Reveals Lower Growth in July Core Retail Sales Trend
July’s increase of 1.7 percent was half the June trend, which showed a 3.4 percent increase y/y. Sporting goods, hobbies, music, and bookstores were up just 1.1 percent y/y, while clothing and accessory stores fell 4.8 percent.
S&S Activewear Appoints Chief Commercial Officer
Toby Whitmoyer will oversee sales, marketing and product teams. Whitmoyer will also collaborate with the product and operations teams to ensure strong customer service.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Extends Partnership with BSN Sports and Nike
BSN Sports will remain the Nanooks’ official apparel and equipment provider, outfitting student-athletes, coaches and staff in Nike gear for multiple athletic seasons.
4RUN3, Massachusetts Run Specialty Store and Race Organizer, Shutters
4RUN3, which operated a running store in East Longmeadow, MA and a race management firm that organized races across western Massachusetts, recently filed for bankruptcy and has closed permanently.
