Technology & AI

Tracking the digital transformation of the sporting goods value chain—from smart manufacturing and generative design to AI-driven retail and consumer engagement.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

UCP Universal Commerce Protocol by Google

Google launches agentic AI shopping protocol

2026-01-12T17:14:00+00:00By

 Tech giant unveils open standard for AI-driven commerce with backing from major retailers including Target, Walmart, Shopify and Etsy.

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INTERVIEW

Margit Gosau, CEO of Sport 2000 International, and Irina Andorfer, CEO of Sport 2000 Austria

Sport 2000 CEOs on AI in retail

2025-12-16T17:22:00+00:00By

Sport 2000’s CEOs Margit Gosau and Irina Andorfer discuss how AI assistants are shifting retail from search-based discovery to conversation-driven commerce.

Focus: Agentic Commerce

  • jd man utd

    JD Sports launches AI commerce in US

    2026-01-13T16:30:00+00:00

    JD Sports is enabling direct purchases through ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini in the US, positioning itself as an early mover in AI-powered commerce.

  • UCP Universal Commerce Protocol by Google

    Google launches agentic AI shopping protocol

    2026-01-12T17:14:00+00:00

     Tech giant unveils open standard for AI-driven commerce with backing from major retailers including Target, Walmart, Shopify and Etsy.

Tech & Retail

JD sports

JD Sports scales RFID tech for global inventory

2026-01-21T07:11:00+00:00

JD Sports taps Checkpoint Systems to deploy RFID tech across 2,500 stores, targeting 98% stock accuracy to boost omnichannel sales.

jd man utd

JD Sports launches AI commerce in US

2026-01-13T16:30:00+00:00

JD Sports is enabling direct purchases through ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini in the US, positioning itself as an early mover in AI-powered commerce.

UCP Universal Commerce Protocol by Google

Google launches agentic AI shopping protocol

2026-01-12T17:14:00+00:00

 Tech giant unveils open standard for AI-driven commerce with backing from major retailers including Target, Walmart, Shopify and Etsy.

Frasers_Group_Logo

Frasers Group deploys AI-first Commercetools Agentic Commerce suite

2025-10-22T06:36:00+01:00

Shoppers of Sports Direct and other brands of the Frasers retail ecosystem will be able to purchase products directly within AI shopping channels.

li ning humanoids

Li-Ning is developing humanoids for developing sportswear

2025-07-20T21:58:00+01:00

China’s Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center and Li-Ning have launched the country’s first robotics sports science laboratory in Beijing. This new laboratory aims to utilize advanced robotics to enhance sports science and athletic performance.

rheon lab

Decathlon in technology collaboration with British Rheon Labs

2025-07-03T06:07:00+01:00

Rheon has already collaborated with brands like Adidas, Rapha, Macron and many others who have chosen to use Rheon materials and technology in sports equipment.

Tech & Brands

Oakly Meta Instagram 2026

Oakley Meta makes Super Bowl debut with AI eyewear

2026-01-30T16:17:00+00:00

Oakley Meta’s first Super Bowl commercial features Spike Lee, Marshawn Lynch and Olympians across multiple sports disciplines using AI-powered athletic eyewear.

cover nike mind 001

Nike Mind and the neuroscience of sport

2026-01-15T21:35:00+00:00

Nike’s Mind technology targets mental performance. After a century optimizing bodies, is the sporting goods industry finally ready to train brains?

reddit

Reddit’s AI campaigns cut costs for sportswear brands

2026-01-06T10:42:00+00:00

Reddit’s new AI-powered advertising tool is helping sporting goods brands like Brooks Running slash marketing costs while boosting engagement through automated campaign optimization.

Fitasy

Fitasy unveils custom-fit 3D-printed shoes

2025-12-10T17:18:00+00:00

Fitasy debuts patent-pending tech for custom-fit 3D-printed shoes using smartphone scans, aiming to improve performance and sustainability.

Columbia Sportswear x Lunar lander

Forbes Space eyes ads in orbit

2025-12-04T17:28:00+00:00

Forbes Space launches a platform to take brand campaigns into orbit and opens a Turin office to connect Italy’s industry with space.

Reebok Smart Ring

Reebok launches Smart Ring, partners with F45

2025-10-21T06:08:00+01:00

With the partnership, Reebok is signaling its move into performance tech and community fitness

fw24-lightspray-other-mood_still-rgb-15

On Running ranks among most innovative companies 2025

2025-10-15T06:06:00+01:00

On Running joins the ranks of deep-tech and platform giants on Fast Company’s innovation list.

rheon decathlon 3

Decathlon and Rheon Labs in first, but not last, compression-collaboration

2025-09-21T18:20:00+01:00

SGI Europe has spoken with the Development Director at Rheon to learn more about its collaboration with Decathlon. 

rip curl surf watch

Rip Curl’s all new iOS app also turns Apple Watches into surf stations

2025-04-29T18:06:00+01:00

For the first time, Apple Watch users can access the full Rip Curl surf experience with the same features as the Search GPS watch.

rayban meta

Ray-Ban Meta to be released with new features in three more countries

2025-04-24T10:51:00+01:00

Ray-Ban Meta will soon be available in Mexico, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Tech & Sustainability

david goldsbury via unsplash

LifeLabs and the science of a cooler swing

2026-02-09T13:20:00+00:00

A materials science company chose golf—not Everest—to prove its cooling fabric works where people actually play. The strategy reveals how innovation reaches mass markets

supercircle

Startup SuperCircle raises $24m for AI waste platform

2026-01-05T13:03:00+00:00

SuperCircle’s AI-powered platform sorts complex athletic materials, enabling sporting goods brands to build take-back programs and meet circularity goals.

Double Interview - Kuchinsky and Defne

Richard Kuchinsky: ‘A sustainable shoe must be a good shoe first, sustainable second’

2025-10-21T12:04:00+01:00

Leading footwear designers reveal the complex trade-offs between sustainability and performance in running shoes.

Worldly-Adele-Stafford-Interview-2

Worldly explained, part 2: Supply chain knowledge is key

2025-05-08T08:35:00+01:00

Worldly’s Chief Growth Officer explains the impact of the new political situation on sustainability efforts.

Worldly-Adele-Stafford-Interview-1

Worldly explained: The Higg Index, Cascale and measuring environmental impact on a product base

2025-05-07T09:06:00+01:00

Worldly’s new Product Impact Calculator offers brands a way to accurately measure product-level Scope 3 emissions with primary supplier data, a step beyond spend-based tools and a key asset for sustainability reporting.