EXECUTIVE CHANGES
+++ JD Sports Fashion has appointed Theresa Casey, previously general counsel of the Open Banking Implementation Entity, as general counsel and company secretary, effective immediately
+++ The Canadian Sporting Goods Association (CSGA) hired Bryan Loucks as president and chief executive officer, replacing Jon Irwin, who became CSGA’s president and CEO in July 2021 after Julian Savory retired +++
RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION
+++ Lacoste has opened a store within the Nexus Elante Mall in Chandigarh, India
+++ Along with regional partner Brand Collective, Reebok has opened its first Australian freestanding store in Uni Hill, a premier shopping destination in Melbourne +++
E-COMMERCE & DTC
+++ RTIH reports that InPost, a European out-of-home delivery service with headquarters in Poland, has announced a partnership with Sports Direct, enabling the latter’s customers to return parcels at one of its 5,000 lockers across the U.K. without having to print a label +++
PRODUCT & MARKETING
+++ French actor and freerunning founder Sébastien Foucan has joined the team of UYN® - Unleash your Nature to raise the brand’s profile worldwide by pushing the brand’s products to the limits in his activities and contributing to the development of new technologies
+++ Puma has entered a new partnership with Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, which will see all AMG factory drivers in GT Sport wear, Puma’s high-performance fireproof race gear
+++ Italian teamwear brand Macron has announced an extension of its partnership with Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (Italian National Amateur Football League) until 2025
+++ Reebok LATAM partner Falic Group and smartwatch brand Cubitt have collaborated on a collection of tech accessories featuring the RB58 fitness smartwatch and “R” earbuds, which were unveiled at a grand opening event at the Albrook Mall, the largest shopping center in Panama
+++ Adidas has unveiled the first-ever Ultraboost Golf, a spikeless, golf-specific shoe inspired by the stylish and functional running shoe originally launched in 2015 and based on the very Ultraboost last
+++ Fanatics has signed a long-term omnichannel retail partnership with the French Football Federation (FFF) as the exclusive global operator of the new FFF online store and FFF retail store in Paris, covering all major international tournaments from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to UEFA Euro 2028
+++ A pair of red/black Air Jordan 13 sneakers, which Michael Jordan wore during the 1998 NBA Finals series, has been auctioned off as “the most expensive sports shoes ever sold” for the sum of $2.2 million, according to auction house Sotheby’s
+++ Premium British sportswear brand Castore has introduced Joe Joyce, World Boxing Organisation Interim Heavyweight Champion, as the newest brand ambassador for 2023, joining a number of other athletes, including Gavin Green, Eve Muirhead, Sir Andy Murray, Jos Buttler and Owen Farrell
+++ Footwear brand Keds, which was recently sold by Wolverine Worldwide to Designer Brands Inc, has unveiled a refreshed brand image, including an updated logo, as part of its new vision to create ”a space where everyone is celebrated for their unique identity”
+++ In partnership with manufacturer Akka Brands, Reebok has entered its first deal to produce cricket equipment in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh +++
CORPORATE AND M&A
+++ StockX is reportedly closing its Portland, Oregon, authentication center, one of five in the U.S. +++
OBIT
+++ Outdoor Retailer Daily reports that Will Howard, one of the first Oakley employees who went on to establish and grow Dragon Alliance in 1993, has passed away after battling cancer +++
