SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Report: Online Spending Rose in July, but Shifted to Lower Cost Options
Signifyd’s data shows e-commerce sales are still growing, but consumers are relying on discounts and low-cost options as merchants wonder what it means for the coming Holiday shopping season.
Escalade’s Walt Glazer to Retire from President and CEO Roles
Glazer, a shareholder since 1991, a Board Director for the past nine years, and chairman since 2018, will continue serving on the Board after his retirement, pending annual shareholder approval.
Leatt Corporation Swings to Q2 Loss as Global Sales Fall Despite U.S. Growth
Consumer-direct sales increased by 19 percent, and dealer-direct sales increased by 14 percent, which the company believes is a testament to brand recognition and the success of its drive to reach a wider global consumer group.
Peloton and Google Fitbit Ink Multi-Year Content Partnership
As part of the agreement, Fitbit’s U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia Premium Members can access Peloton classes across strength, Pilates, running, boxing, cycling, Barre, and other categories.
Puma Appoints Managing Director for Gulf Cooperation Council States
Johan Kuhlo was promoted to managing director of the GCC, starting September 1. He will oversee the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman and report to Puma CEO Arne Freundt.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Plans New Distribution Center in Fort Worth, TX
Construction on the facility will begin early this fall with a groundbreaking. The building phase is expected to create more than 800 temporary construction jobs. The facility is expected to open in early 2026.
Nordstrom Plans to Open Four New Locations in North Carolina by Spring 2025
In addition to a planned 25,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack store in Morrisville, NC, the retailer will also open three stores in Mooresville, Raleigh and Matthews, NC this fall and next spring.
Escalade Closes Sale of Mexico Facility and Related Assets
The company has consolidated operations into other Escalade facilities in North America. Proceeds from the sale will be used to reduce the company’s higher cost variable rate debt.
On Holding Sees Q2 Profits Surge on Continued Sales Growth Across Regions, Categories
Total net sales amounted to CHF 567.7 million in Q2 2024, an increase of 27.8 percent year-over-year and 29.4 percent growth on a constant-currency basis. Net income margin increased to 5.4 percent of net sales in Q2 from 0.7 percent in Q2 2023.
Scott USA Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
Matt Heitmann, who has held leadership roles at Signa Sports United, BMC, Canyon Bicycles, USA Cycling, and Backcountry, brings over 25 years of experience in business management, brand strategy, digital and growth marketing, customer service, e-commerce, and business operations, to the role.
Fanatics Expands Partnership with England’s Football Association
Deal sees Fanatics add product licensing rights to eCommerce, stadium retail and merchandising partnership
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.
