News Topics
April 19, 2026
Report: Lululemon Founder Starting Venture to Support Technical Apparel Start-Ups
Chip Wilson, Lululemon Athletica’s founder, former CEO and outspoken critic of the company, announced that he is creating a new venture investing in and supporting “small athletic-focused brands” as part of his effort to “lead innovation in the technical apparel space,” according to a report from Bloomberg. Wilson’s venture will reportedly...
April 17, 2026
Nike removes controversial Boston Marathon sign after major backlash
A Boston Marathon Nike campaign, put up outside its flagship store on Newbury St. in Boston on Thursday, has the running world up in arms. The sign, which read, “Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated,” was heavily criticized for pace-shaming and not being inclusive to runners of all levels or abilities. On...
April 16, 2026
Chinese Cities Are Issuing Housing Subsidies to Marathon Runners
Several Chinese cities have begun offering property subsidies to marathon runners in a bid to stimulate local housing markets. The most recent initiative, unveiled by the Qixia district government in Nanjing, capital of the eastern Jiangsu province, offers 100,000 yuan (roughly $14,700) in housing subsidies for select properties in the...
April 16, 2026
Gatorade revamps brand to compete in booming hydration market
Gatorade is undergoing a major transformation as it faces growing competition in the rapidly expanding hydration market. The brand’s parent company, PepsiCo, announced a sweeping overhaul aimed at repositioning Gatorade from a traditional sports drink into a broader hydration brand that appeals to everyday consumers—not just athletes. While Gatorade still...
April 16, 2026
Genesis Health Clubs Acquires Wellbridge, Expanding Its Western Footprint
Genesis Health Clubs is expanding again adding nine premier fitness clubs, including Colorado Athletic Clubs and New Mexico Sports & Wellness — formerly known as Wellbridge — strengthening its presence in Colorado and entering New Mexico for the first time. With this acquisition, Genesis now operates 86 clubs across 14 states. These...
April 16, 2026
Grand Slam Track’s Contentious Bankruptcy Is Over. Now What?
Grand Slam Track is coming out of bankruptcy. What comes next for the track startup is still unclear. Chief Judge Karen B. Owens of Delaware Bankruptcy Court approved Grand Slam’s plan to get out of bankruptcy on Thursday. The move allows Olympian Michael Johnson’s league to begin to pay back some of the millions...
April 15, 2026
On Brand Opens First Boston Store
On Holding announced the formal opening of its first retail store in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. The store measures roughly 2,800 square feet. The company said in a media release that “the store blends On’s contemporary design aesthetic with Boston’s historic architecture, preserving the original building facade.” Inside, the two-level...
April 15, 2026
Lululemon Invests in Nylon Recycling Startup Amid ‘Forever Chemicals’ Probe
Lululemon invested in a $12 million funding round for Epoch Biodesign, a startup using enzymes to recycle nylon 6,6 from end-of-life materials into virgin-quality nylon, supporting the company's circularity goals for activewear. This move aligns with prior partnerships like Samsara Eco and ZymoChem for sustainable nylon, as outlined in Lululemon's...
April 14, 2026
How Specialty Retailers Use AI to Boost Margins
Specialty retailers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to protect and expand their margins by automating routine tasks, sharpening buying and pricing decisions, and deepening customer experiences rather than relying only on price competition. Core ways AI boosts margins AI‑powered forecasting and inventory tools help shops avoid overstock and stockouts, reducing...
April 13, 2026
Blind runner navigates Brighton Marathon using only smart glasses
At Sunday’s Brighton Marathon, the U.K.’s Clarke Reynolds, a blind runner with just five per cent vision, took on the 42.2K without using a physical guide. Instead, the 45-year-old relied on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which have built-in speakers and a camera, and the Be My Eyes app, allowing remote volunteers...
