RETAIL & DISTRIBUTION
+++ Allbirds has announced that In-Sport Fashions Inc. and EFG Corporation will become its exclusive distributor in Canada and South Korea, respectively, both overseeing the distribution of its products across retail, online and wholesale channels while allocating dedicated brand and marketing resources
+++ Sneaker and streetwear retailer Snipes has opened its 400th store in Europe in Berlin, which also integrates a community space with a professional dance and recording studio called Studio44 that social institutions, students, music and dance schools, artists and local talent from Neukölln can use for free +++
EXECUTIVE CHANGES
+++ Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has announced that he will leave the Premier League club at the end of the 2023/24 season after nearly four years in the role
+++ The Rossignol Group announced a series of promotions and new additions in North America to support the growth of its Nordic Division for the US and Canada
+++ On Nov. 1, Simen Swanstrøm Helly-Hansen, who has extensive experience in retail and has worked with strong brands such as Vinmonopolet and Apotek 1, will join the Group Management of Norwegian retail chain XXL as the new Director of Category and Purchasing
+++ Premier League football club Aston Villa has hired Ron Erskine as the club’s new chief commercial officer +++
PRODUCT & MARKETING
+++ Joma has struck a deal with the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to become the official technical supplier for the Davis Cup
+++ Union Sport & Cycle (USC), the French sporting goods and cycling industry association, has launched Filière Sport Jobs, a new job portal
+++ Puma is expanding its collaboration with Ferrari (started in 2005) and will continue to be a licensing partner for Ferrari-branded products and premium partner/outfitter for Ferrari’s Formula 1 team and race apparel
+++ Nike has welcomed NBA player Devin Booker to the Nike Basketball signature family with the introduction of his signature shoe, the Nike Book 1
+++ Puma and Spanish football club Valencia CF have extended their technical partnership deal worth €24 million until 2029
+++ French 800 m specialist Corentin Le Clezio has joined On’s roster of track athletes +++
CORPORATE AND M&A
+++ Garmin completed the acquisition of JL Audio, a Florida-based company that designs and manufactures audio solutions for marine, aftermarket automotive, powersports, home and RV customers with more than 600 employees who will now become part of the global Garmin team +++
TRADE FAIRS & CONFERENCES
+++ The next edition of the turf management trade show SALTEX, scheduled to take place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK, on Nov. 1-2, will feature a new “Clubhouse” for enhanced networking opportunities +++
CSR & SUSTAINABILITY
+++ A pioneer in the watch industry, watchmaker Timex is the first to launch a take-back and resale program – called Timex ReWound – that aims to ensure that no watch ends up in a landfill +++
