Aural Analytics, Inc. and HitCheck, Inc. Partner on Integration of Speech Analytics into HitCheck’s Widely Used Concussion Assessment Applications
The partnership will enable real-time speech-based measures of cognitive and motor function known to track with concussion and traumatic brain injury
HitCheck’s concussion assessment application is used by hundreds of thousands of youth and high-school sports athletes, the US Military and others
SAN FRANCISCO and SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – April 29, 2021 – Aural Analytics, Inc., and HitCheck Inc. announced today they have entered into a strategic partnership to embed Aural Analytics’ speech biomarkers platform into HitCheck’s cognitive assessment application. The partnership will enable speech collection and analysis inside HitCheck’s interactive, game-like assessment, which tracks individuals’ unique performance over time and screens for sudden changes after a potential brain injury has occurred. The addition of Aural Analytics’ speech biomarkers, built from decades of research illustrating speech and language changes may occur from concussion or brain injury, enriches the outcomes assessments that coaches, athletes, soldiers and caretakers rely on to assess performance and return to play.
The relationship between brain injury and changes in speech and language has been well published. Human speech relies on the coordination of complex neural activity and activation of respiratory, phonatory, and articulatory muscles. A concussion or brain injury can cause damage to the underlying system, which becomes apparent in the produced speech. The addition of clinically-validated speech and language biomarkers into the robust HitCheck suite of assessments brings a more complete picture of cognitive and speech-motor function to HitCheck’s users.
“We are excited to continue our work to better prepare and protect athletes and those who serve our country by creating meaningful partnerships with leading companies,” said Mike Piha, CEO at HitCheck Inc. “We strive every day to bring better and clearer assessments of cognition to our users. Our partnership with Aural Analytics allows athletes, soldiers, and active individuals to have metrics at their fingertips when it comes to brain health.”
“Concussion and brain injury have been linked to longer-term cognitive diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and CTE. There is strong evidence that recurring or repeat brain injuries increase the risk of these diseases significantly.” Said Daniel J. Jones, CEO and co-founder of Aural Analytics. “Our speech-based measures of cognition and motor function provide rich information about the health of the athlete or soldier and their ability to return to the field safely. Our partnership with HitCheck is an important step toward introducing better assessment and tracking of cognition and motor function for athletes and soldiers. We are thrilled to work alongside HitCheck on this journey.”
Drawing on decades of medical research, HitCheck takes standardized cognitive testing methods and translates them into short, simple mobile assessment exercises users can take immediately whenever and wherever an injury is suspected. It is available for download in the Apple App store as well as Google Play for free.
About Aural Analytics, Inc.
Aural Analytics is the industry’s leading speech neuroscience company harnessing the clinical utility of the world’s speech across the age range and around the world. Their suite of applications and embeddable SDKs and APIs are available in up to 30 languages across Android, iOS, and the web are easy to use, secure, and provide robust, clinically relevant, interpretable, and validated metrics reflecting the neurological and respiratory health of its users. For more information, please visit auralanalytics.com or follow Aural Analytics on Twitter, LinkedIn, Medium, and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Aural Analytics, Inc.
About HitCheck
HitCheck is a leading cognitive technology company that has a mobile app which allows for clinicians and trainers to baseline and screen for brain health. Drawing on decades of medical research, HitCheck takes standardized cognitive testing methods and translates them into short, simple mobile assessment exercises users can take immediately whenever and wherever an injury is suspected. Each test measures a specific aspect of brain performance, such as coordination, memory, reaction time, etc. Once the test is complete, HitCheck captures, records and compares these objective, quantitative results with prior performance and highlights changes in brain functions that may require additional medical attention. HitCheck is partnered with top organizations like Texas Youth Football, CrashCourse by TeachAids, University of Portland, Play USA Rugby, American Youth Football, Youth Sports Nevada, and NorCal Youth Football & Cheer. The company also has top medical and athletic advisors like Davante Adams, Rick Mirer, Mike Mauti, and Ajay Nwosu. For more information on HitCheck and to download the app please visit: https://www.hitcheck.com/
MEDIA CONTACT:
HitCheck
Regional Sports Destination Expands Opportunities For Local Athletes
(Clearwater, FL) May 3, 2021– An innovative concept for a youth and amateur sports complex is in the final planning stages, according to the Sports Facilities Companies (SFC). The project, called Bo Jackson’s Turf and Ice, will serve Houston and surrounding markets for sports training, elite development, team building, leagues, camps, and clinics in a range of sports from baseball, softball, lacrosse to hockey. Driven by a mission of access and inclusion to change youth athlete’s lives, the 180,000+ square-foot facility will be a local and regional destination for athletes of all ages and skill levels focused on player development.
This innovative facility concept will tap into the pre-COVID boom in the youth and amateur sports industry – which was predicted in 2019 to reach $29 billion in the next 5 years by Wintergreen Research, Inc. While the ‘boom’ in the industry slowed by the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 in 2020, the industry is quickly recovering as facility and event operators have adapted to new safety precautions and protocols. More than 25,000 participants are forecasted to take part in ice programs alone in the first year of Bo Jackson’s Turf and Ice operation according to SFC’s market analysis.
In the spirit of the mission and vision of the project, Bo Jackson is “excited to help bring a facility to Houston and the surrounding communities that will serve not only the elite athletes competing in multiple sports, but youth with fewer opportunities in underserved areas. I strive to partner with local communities and businesses to help change the outcome of the youth athlete, and this project will do just that for Houston.”
True to its name, the facility will feature state-of-the-art spaces for both turf and ice including an air-supported dome structure which allows for large column-less clear-span spaces, ideal for indoor turf sports, recreation, and training. Among other amenities, the sports complex will contain:
- Two NHL-Size Ice Sheets
- Seating For 1,900+ Spectators
- Locker Rooms & Pro Shop
- Off-Ice Training Facilities
- Batting/Pitching Cages
- Athlete Performance Training Areas
- Indoor Turf Baseball/Softball Diamond
“It’s been clear from day-one that the mission and the impact to children’s lives is a primary driver for the development of this project,” said Dan Morton, SFC Development Advisor and representative for the project. “Bo Jackson’s Turf and Ice will be a great asset to Houston and provide opportunities for thousands of kids to continue to excel in sport or try new sports and experience all the benefits sport and physical activity has to offer. We are building a model that creates access for a wide range of visitor capabilities both physically and financially.”
Changing a youth athlete’s outcome through sport and elite player development is a passion for Bo Jackson.
For more information, visit our website at bojacksonsturfandice.com or contact us by email at [email protected].
CARLSBAD, CA – April 27, 2021 – Today, Mizuno announced a partnership with Blast Motion, the leader in swing analysis, player development and improvement, to provide international distribution and support of Blast Baseball in Japan. For the past 100 years, Mizuno has a proven track record of providing athletes with high-quality sports equipment and a drive to improve. This partnership makes Blast Baseball, the industry’s most accurate swing analyzer, available to the Japanese market through a localized mobile app and their Blast Connect experience. The Blast swing analyzer attaches to the knob of the bat and allows players to capture real-time swing analytics, while providing simple visual indicators to help players understand where they need to focus, with drills and recommendations for improvement.
Mizuno executive officer, Norihito Kubota, is excited and enthusiastic about this partnership agreement. “Utilization of precisely measured biomechanical and swing data, paired with rich visualizations, enables the most efficient method for training, leading to baseball and softball batting performance improvement. Mizuno is a long-time baseball / softball market leader in Japan, not just in market share, but innovation as well. Through our partnership with Blast Motion and Mizuno’s innovative equipment, Mizuno expects to lead a paradigm shift in the market for how players and coaches train, and improve their level of understanding and performance.”
“For the past couple of years, Blast has been working at the highest level of baseball in Japan, with the NPB, to provide Japanese professional teams swing analytics and hitting insights. Mizuno, the foremost baseball brand in Japan, will now bring our hitting improvement solution to the broader baseball market,” said Mike Woods, Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at Blast Motion. “Our entire team at Blast is excited that this partnership will enable Japanese players and coaches with objective swing data that can be used for player development and recruiting.”
About Blast Motion
Based in Carlsbad, California, Blast Motion is an information company that provides motion analysis and performance insights. By intelligently combining the bio-mechanics of movement with sensor data, video capture technology, and cloud-based software services, Blast has redefined the way people coach, recruit, train, analyze, and improve their game. For additional information on Blast Motion, please visit: blastmotion.com
About Mizuno
Mizuno Corporation is a sporting equipment manufacturer established in Japan in 1906. In addition to developing and marketing products for a wide range of sports, including running, football, baseball and golf, the company is also committed to increasing availability of sporting equipment and promoting sports through activities such as supporting athletes and sponsoring events. Since our founding, we have taken special pride and pleasure in being able to participate in the exciting world of sports and providing sports equipment of the highest quality. Each and every one of us is guided by the ideal of true sportsmanship. This has been over 100 years and is still true today. It is evident in our corporate philosophy which, simply stated, is “Contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and the promotion of sports.” For further information on Mizuno, please visit our website: corp.mizuno.com/en/
Connect / Follow Blast Motion
Twitter: @Blast_Bsbl | Facebook: @BlastBaseball | YouTube | Instagram
Blast Motion Media Contact
Donovan Prostrollo
Senior Director, Marketing
[email protected]
Family-owned business outsources facility operations to National firm
(Clearwater, FL) April 12, 2021– The Tincher and Thomas families, owners of TNT Sportsplex, have selected Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) to manage and operate their sports and recreation facility. The venue, which has been serving Kingsport, and the Tri-Cities of Tennessee since 2015, hosts local and regional tournaments and events as well as camps, clinics, and leagues for youth and adults. SFC will manage the daily operations including, marketing, event booking, and maintenance of the complex as well as staffing, and organizational development.
Shanna Tincher, TNT Co-Owner remarked, “Sports Facilities Companies have proven to be experts in recreational programming and facility management. As we come back from the challenges of COVID-19, SFC has helped us make informed decisions on the operations of the facility with financial forecast tools and an Optimization Study. Their leadership of TNT operations will allow us to fully embrace our role as owners and expand our service to our community.”
TNT Sportsplex has hosted thousands of athletes and families in their 33,000 square foot facility which features 4 high school regulation-size basketball courts. Programs and tournaments are offered for people of all ages including:
- TNT Tiny Tot Classes for beginners ages 3-5
- Volleyball Leagues & Tournaments (Recreational & Competitive)
- Basketball Leagues & Tournaments (Recreational & Competitive)
- Soccer Tournaments & Training
- Sports Camps
- Recreational Opportunities – Pickleball and Open Gym
- Birthday Parties and Court/Facility Rentals
The Sportsplex has hosted large national events including with Teammate Basketball, The AAU Girls Nationals and AAU Wrestling. The facility is capable of hosting other non-sporting events on their courts. In recent years, the venue has hosted regional tradeshows, markets, banquets and more.
By selecting SFC as their outsourced operator, TNT Sportsplex joins the SFM Network – the largest and fastest-growing network of sports and recreation facilities in the country. The facility will have access to the 900+ person team of subject matter experts, on-site operators, and proven processes and systems required to drive results for the Sportsplex and the Tri-Cities.
“We are proud to partner with the partners at TNT Sportsplex to make this venue a success for Kingsport and surrounding areas. Through our partnership we will continue to build on their strong foundation to expand TNT’s excellent programs, exemplary events and tournaments. We will continue to provide fun and engaging programs for the residents in this community who are already proud to have TNT in their community,” said Lori Moore, SFC Account Executive who will oversee the property.
To learn more about TNT Sportsplex, visit tntsportsplex.com. To begin your journey in venue optimization like TNT, visit: sportadvisory.com or sfmnetwork.com.
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(Carlsbad, Calif., – April 7, 2021) – Today, Blast Motion, the leader in swing analysis, player development and improvement, announced a partnership with The Playrs Showcase Series. The Playrs Showcase is an emerging series of premier / elite instructional events for baseball and softball youth around the country.
The Blast solution allows athletes to become the best version of themselves by intelligently combining the bio-mechanics of movement with sensor data, video capture technology, and cloud-based software services. Blast will be seamlessly integrated into the Playrs showcase events so that amateur baseball and softball athletes can receive industry leading developmental instruction and post-event player reports. This is the same Blast information that is used by travel team coaches, college recruiters, and MLB scouts.
“The Playrs Showcase Series is partnering with leaders in the baseball and softball technology analysis space, like Blast Motion, to deliver a best-in-class, in-event and post event experience” said Jim Duquette, former New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles General Manager and now CEO of the Playrs Showcase Series. “Participants will receive actionable insights and instruction from their event performance, captured by Blast Motion, so they can elevate their game.”
As part of the event participation fee, all attendees will receive a Blast Motion swing analyzer, a post event assessment report, and 30-day access to Blast Premium Service. Additionally, players will receive an overall improvement plan with special offers related to skill development, nutrition, wellness, content for recruiting and media exposure throughout the year.
“Blast Motion is honored to be selected as a founding partner of the Playrs Showcase Series,” said Mike Woods, Vice President of Business Development & Strategy – Blast Motion. “Its vision for instruction, skill development, data capture, and exposure to college coaches and MLB scouts made it a natural fit for Blast Motion technology to be incorporated into these elite showcases.”
About Blast Motion
Based in Carlsbad, California, Blast Motion is an information company that provides motion analysis and performance insights. By intelligently combining the bio-mechanics of movement with sensor data, video capture technology, and cloud-based software services, Blast has redefined the way people coach, recruit, train, analyze, and improve their game. For additional information on Blast Motion, please visit: blastmotion.com
About Turn2 Equity Partners and the Playrs Showcase Series
Turn2 Equity Partners is a technology holding company creating a portfolio of complementary sports and entertainment businesses many focused on youth / amateur sports all powered by technology and the influence of professional sports figures. “Playrs” is the unifying brand and platform that serves as the portfolio amplifier across the core verticals; performance and entertainment which include: Performance (skill development), Events (showcases), Entertainment (content distribution) and Commerce (consumer products). For additional information on Turn2 Equity Partners, please visit: playrs.com
Connect / Follow Blast Motion
Twitter: @Blast_Sftball | Facebook: @BlastSftball | YouTube | Instagram
Media Contact
Donovan Prostrollo
Senior Director, Marketing
Blast Motion
New management team, staff, and events coming this summer.
(Edmond, OK) March 31, 2021– After the 2020 season, the City of Edmond has reengaged the industry-leading recreation management firm, the Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) to operate Pelican Bay Aquatic Center. The family-favorite waterpark will reopen its doors to residents for a summer-long season beginning in May 2021 with improvements in operations, programming, events, and more. Following a national search, the firm has selected Marina Wells as General Manager for the property.
Wells joins the SFC team to lead daily operations for Pelican Bay with 13 years of experience in aquatics and programming. She has worked for the YMCA and for Oklahoma City area Parks and Rec Departments as a City Special Event Coordinator. She is a certified Aquatics Facility Operator and Lifeguard Instructor for the American Red Cross. About this new opportunity, Wells shared, “This May we will open with new events, programming, and membership benefits. I look forward to getting to know the Edmond community through Pelican Bay and providing a great swim experience as well as a fun, safe atmosphere for all our guests.”
“Serving our community by providing safe and quality aquatics programs is of the utmost importance to us,” says Diane Self, Recreation Program Manager of City of Edmond Parks and Recreation. “The Sports Facilities Companies have proven their ability to serve local residents and guests, provide high-quality programming and events, and manage every aspect of the property with care and excellence.”
Pelican Bay Aquatic Center, located near the heart of Edmond, opened in 2002. The waterpark features two 150 ft. water slides, diving boards, a current channel, an aquatic climbing wall and a slide splash pool as well as a playground, concessions, and bathhouses. In addition to learn-to-swim opportunities and programmed events, the Aquatic Center is available for birthday parties and large, full-facility rentals.
Jason Clement, Founder and CEO of SFC commented, “We are proud of the track record at Pelican Bay. The City of Edmond has been a great partner and the relationship is extremely productive. We look forward to bringing our experienced team focused on first-class programs and the very best experience for Edmond residents and guests of the pool.”
SFC is currently hiring lifeguards and other team members for Pelican Bay for the 2021 summer season. Interested applicants may learn more or apply online.
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About Sports Facilities Companies: The Sports Facilities Advisory, LLC (SFA), Sports Facilities Development, LLC, and Sports Facilities Management, LLC (SFM) are headquartered in Clearwater, FL. Founded in 2003, SFA has served more than 2,000 communities, produced more than $10 billion in institutional-grade financial forecasts, and provided funding strategies and solutions for more than 70+ youth and amateur sports and recreation complexes worldwide. SFD serves facility owners through owner’s representation, venue planning, and procurement services during pre-development and construction. SFM provides industry-leading, results-driven management solutions for sports, fitness, recreation, and event venues nationwide. Since 2014, SFM-affiliated venues have hosted more than 100 million visitors and generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact. For more information, visit: sportadvisory.com and sfmnetwork.com.
Morristown Landing in Morristown, TN Celebrates Groundbreaking
March 25, 2021– The City of Morristown celebrated the groundbreaking of their newest recreation and events venue, Morristown Landing. The ceremony took place on March 12 on the site where the event center will be located, adjacent to the Public Works facility on Merchants Greene Boulevard. Construction has begun on the 100,000 square-foot indoor recreation, wellness, and events venue and is slated to be completed by summer 2022.
Morristown Landing will feature a 25-yard, six-lane lap pool, family aquatic center, fitness center, a fieldhouse with 4 hardwood basketball or 6 volleyball courts, play climb walls, meeting and event spaces, and an outdoor splash pad. The venue will offer comprehensive programming such as summer camps, youth and adult leagues, and a membership program for aquatics and fitness.
The ceremony hosted members from the City of Morristown, LOSE Design, PATH Construction, BurWil Construction, GEOS, Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), and more. Mayor Gary Chesney commented on this momentous occasion, “I am extremely proud to be able to introduce the beginning of Morristown moving up another notch. To our residents, you have earned this, and we deserve this level of opportunities.”
SFC Account Executive Gregg Wisecarver, added, “Morristown Landing is an example of the next generation of local recreation venues with premier community amenities. We are ready to continue the next phase of development, and we are thrilled with the design being developed by LOSE, PATH and BurWil Construction. When this venue opens to Morristown residents, we will ensure the vision is met to create a guest experience that represents the City with excellence.”
Sports Facilities Companies is the leader in managing and operating youth and amateur sports venues, like Morristown Landing. The SFC team, led by Gregg Wisecarver, is assisting the City of Morristown operationally and will begin hiring for the venue in the coming months, beginning with the General Manager position. For more information, please contact the City of Morristown at mymorristown.comor visit morristownlanding.com.
Veteran HR executive with tech experience joins executive leadership team
VANCOUVER, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mar. 9, 2021– Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE: NLS) today announced that it has hired Ellen Raim as Chief People Officer, effective March 2. In this new role, Raim will lead all aspects of Nautilus’ global human resources, including crafting talent acquisition strategies to build strong pipelines for future hiring needs, promoting inclusion in the workplace, and designing and evaluating career paths to meet the company’s business goals.
Raim brings nearly 30 years of experience, including a deep knowledge of how to link business needs with people and culture, particularly in the tech industry, which includes 10-years at Intel Corporation.
Most recently, Raim was vice president, people and culture for SaaS start-up Invoca, where she built the people systems needed to enhance and protect the culture as the company scaled.
Prior to that, she held vice president of human resources roles at several global technology companies, including ESI and Cascade Microtech. In these roles, she was able to concentrate on integrating business strategy, large-scale change management, and organizational development.
“Ellen is the right leader to help us continue to build an engaged, inclusive, and high-performing culture, which is vital for our business to thrive in 2021 and beyond,” said Jim Barr, Nautilus, Inc. Chief Executive Officer. “We are confident that her ability to enhance a culture that aligns with the business strategy will be a strong addition to the executive leadership team, and will continue to position Nautilus as an employer of choice. Ellen brings deep experience crafting impactful strategies to attract and retain the best talent, and her technology background is particularly relevant, as we evolve and grow our digital focus.”
Ms. Raim commented, “Nautilus attracted me with its unique culture, which has been recognized as one of the top places to work eight years in a row. This demonstrates the value Nautilus places on their culture and people, and the understanding that aligning the two is critical to achieving the company’s North Star transformation and growth. I’m excited to join and contribute to this mission, as well as have the opportunity to bridge my tech background with my personal passion for fitness.”
About Nautilus, Inc.
Nautilus, Inc. (NYSE:NLS) is the global leader in innovative home fitness solutions. The company’s diverse brand portfolio includes Bowflex®, Nautilus®, Schwinn®, and a broad selection of exercise bikes, cardio equipment, strength training products, as well as the JRNY® digital fitness platform. Nautilus, Inc. empowers healthier living through individualized connected fitness experiences. The company sells its products through direct and retail channels. Nautilus, Inc. uses the investor relations page of its website (www.nautilusinc.com/investors) to make information available to its investors and the market.
This press release includes forward-looking statements (statements which are not historical facts) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including: planned investments and initiatives and the anticipated results of such initiatives. Factors that could cause Nautilus, Inc.’s actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include: weaker than expected demand for new or existing products; our ability to timely acquire inventory that meets our quality control standards from sole source foreign manufacturers at acceptable costs; an inability to pass along or otherwise mitigate the impact of raw material price increases and other cost pressures, including unfavorable currency exchange rates; experiencing delays and/or greater than anticipated costs in connection with launch of new products, entry into new markets, or strategic initiatives; our ability to hire, retain and integrate key management personnel, including our new Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer; changes in consumer fitness trends; changes in the media consumption habits of our target consumers or the effectiveness of our media advertising; a decline in consumer spending due to unfavorable economic conditions; and softness in the retail marketplace. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as supplemented by our quarterly reports on Form 10- Q. Such filings are available on our website or at www.sec.gov. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-
looking statements to reflect subsequent developments, events or circumstances.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210309005077/en/
Media Contacts: John Fread Nautilus, Inc. 360-859-5815 [email protected]
Carey Kerns
The Hoffman Agency 503-754-7975 [email protected]
Investor Relations:
John Mills
ICR, LLC 646-277-1254 [email protected]
Source: Nautilus, Inc.
Retail success in 2021 will be complicated to measure – and the sports industry is not exempt from these challenges. Across the industry, we saw both extreme lows and unprecedented highs – both of which will present challenges when making comparisons to this year’s sales. In athletic footwear, we saw the single worst monthly results on record in March 2020 and the single best in June. One should be a cinch to beat and the other likely impossible. Looking at other aspects of the market, as soon as the lockdowns started sales of bicycles and home fitness equipment took off, soaring to heights never seen before. While I believe that consumer interest in these categories will remain high, maintaining or exceeding the momentum of those sensational results will prove difficult. Brands that promoted aggressively and drove their direct-to-consumer sales to unprecedented levels may not be able to grow on top of these already high sales without promoting even more in 2021.
With all of this taken into consideration, how should the industry measure success in 2021?
One thought is to compare 2021 results to 2019, when things were “normal.” Certainly, viewing trends through that lens will be more stable; however, 2021 itself will not be a “normal” year. For instance, sports equipment sales in January will likely be up by more than 50%, which is hardly the norm. So, comparisons to 2019 need to be viewed with caution.
Another way to measure success in 2021 is through capturing market share profitably. That term profitably is an important caveat here. There are two pillar ways companies can take share: profitably or promotionally.
Share is a zero-sum game either way; for one company to win, another must lose. However, viewing share in a vacuum is dangerous. How share gain is achieved impacts the health of a company in very different ways.
Promotions may help brands to grow share in the short-term, but this does not necessarily result in profits. The share gains brands captured via promotions in 2020 will be challenging to replicate, without promoting even more in 2021, and companies do not want to find themselves in this corner of finding growth at any cost.
Today’s circumstances present an opportunity for companies to change the narrative in 2021, to step back and transform their business. Over the last year, the sports industry has exceled in using unrequited demand to drive consumer interest. I say let’s take those principles to the next level. By constraining supply, sales may be dampened but profits will grow.
Instead of focusing on growth at a perilous cost, the industry can focus on profitably gaining market share. Increased profits have many long-term benefits. Investments in marketing or innovation are rewarded with higher profit. Companies’ images are elevated and not bound to short-term thinking and results.
Managing the marketplace remains the sports retail industry’s greatest opportunity. Smart and practical management of our industry focused on improving profitable share gains is a strong measure of success in 2021 and beyond.
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For more information or to speak with Matt Powell, contact me at [email protected].
Port Washington, NY, March 3, 2021 – The NPD Group today revealed the winners of its first ever Outdoor Sports Industry Performance Awards. The awards acknowledge the fastest-growing brands of 2020 across the major outdoor categories in the U.S. including snow sports equipment, according to NPD’s Retail Tracking Service.
The outdoor market generated $6.1 billion in U.S. retail sales in 2020,* and snow specialty brought in $2.5 billion season-to-date through December 2020.** As consumers have sought ways to be active, outside, and practice social distancing both in their backyards and other outdoor settings, camping (+36%), water sports (+19%), and additional areas of the market experienced year-over-year growth in sales.
Below are the top performing brands of 2020 in the U.S., based on dollar sales growth versus the prior year.
Sports practice. “Congratulations to the award winners. We wish all of you, and our industry in its entirety, a healthy and successful rest of the year.”
*Source: The NPD Group/ Retail Tracking Service, Outdoor Specialty and Sport Specialty E-commerce Channels, Dollar Sales, Jan.-Dec. 2020
**Source: The NPD Group/ Retail Tracking Service, Snow Specialty and Snow Internet Channels, Dollar Sales, Aug.-Dec. 2020
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About The NPD Group, Inc.
NPD offers data, industry expertise, and prescriptive analytics to help our clients grow their businesses in a changing world. Over 2,000 companies worldwide rely on us to help them measure, predict, and improve performance across all channels, including brick-and-mortar, e-commerce, and B2B. We have services in 19 countries worldwide, with operations spanning the Americas, Europe, and APAC. Practice areas include apparel, appliances, automotive, beauty, books, B2B technology, consumer technology, e-commerce, fashion accessories, food consumption, foodservice, footwear, home, home improvement, juvenile products, media entertainment, mobile, office supplies, retail, sports, toys, and video games. For more information, visit npd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @npdgroup.
Press Contact:
Marissa Guyduy
+1 516-625-2203