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Tag: #sport

  • Nike sued over copycat sports bra design

    Nike sued over copycat sports bra design

    A Florida-based entrepreneur is suing Nike for allegedly copying her design patents pertaining to a sports bra with pockets.

    SherryWear LLC claimed in a lawsuit filed this week that Nike copied its pocket bra design after its founder, Sherry Goff, submitted the SherryWear pocket bra design to Nike via an online submission. The design at the time had some issued and pending patents.

    According to the suit filed in a Massachusetts court on Monday, Nike rejected Goff’s design in March 2017. Just a few months later, Nike filed a U.S. patent application for a “Bra With Storage Pockets.” Goff submitted the SherryWear pocket bra design to Nike again after that and was rejected again.

    SherryWear specifically takes issue with Nike’s Swoosh Pocket Bra and the Swoosh on the Run bras, both of which feature pockets.

    “Nike has never had authority to use, offer, sell or import any product or assembly covered by the Pocket Bra Patents or actively induce others to do so,” the suit claims. “By continuing to engage in commercial activities described in this complaint, Nike is knowingly, deliberately and intentionally infringing the Pocket Bra Patents.”

    Retail News has reached out to Nike for a comment. In a statement to Retail News, a spokesperson for SherryWear’s law firm, Caldwell IP Law, said it is “confident in the effectiveness of the patent system and its ability to empower small businesses, such as SherryWear.”

    Nike may be on the defensive this time, but the Swoosh has historically taken a harsh legal stance when it comes to protecting itself against potential copycats. Nike, in 2021, filed a trademark infringement and dilution complaint against MSCHF, the company that released its controversial Satan Shoes with Lil Nas X, and settled the lawsuit shortly after. Last year, Nike resolved its trademark infringement battle with footwear designer John Geiger after claiming he created sneakers that were similar to Nike’s Air Force 1 shoes.

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  • Puma plans job cuts as US demand weakens, outlook dims

    Puma plans job cuts as US demand weakens, outlook dims

    Puma on Wednesday announced job cuts and warned of uncertain US consumer demand. The German sportswear group’s shares slumped 23 percent in the wake of disappointing quarterly and annual forecasts issued a day earlier.

    The grim outlook, which follows weak quarterly sales and annual profit announced in January, has raised concerns over Puma’s ability to compete with bigger rivals Adidas and Nike while fending off newer, fast-growing brands such as On Running and Hoka.

    Chief executive Arne Freundt said Puma’s target consumers in the United States were not spending due to economic uncertainty.

    “February was bad. March has started off a bit better,” he said at a press conference.

    Chief financial officer Markus Neubrand announced plans to cut 500 jobs worldwide and close some unprofitable stores as part of a cost-cutting plan.

    When asked about the potential impact of US import tariffs, Puma’s management confirmed that Chinese production made up about 10 percent of shoe imports into the United States, down from 30 percent in the past.

    The company was urging suppliers to diversify production away from China to countries including Indonesia, they said.

    Late on Tuesday, Puma forecast currency-adjusted sales for the current quarter to grow in a low single-digit percentage, below last year’s level, with “significantly” lower operating earnings for the same period.

    It said its annual currency-adjusted sales would grow in a low– to mid-single-digit percentage rate, compared with 4.4 per cent growth to 8.82 billion euros (US$9.62 billion) in 2024.

    It had previously expected 2025 growth to be stronger than in 2024.

    The group forecast adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of $566.5 million to $653.7 million euros for 2025, before a one-time charge of up to 75 million related to its cost-cutting programme.

    “While expectations have lowered recently, we still think this guidance is below the most conservative estimates and raises more questions,” Barclays analysts wrote in a note to investors.

    Puma shares slumped 23 percent to $23.86 at 1246 GMT, a level not seen since November 2016.

    Puma’s larger peer Adidas, meanwhile, recorded a solid performance in 2024 and adopted a cautious stance for 2025.

    “The stark contrast in regional performance and sell-through versus Adidas, in our view, underscores the importance of brand momentum in driving demand, but also orchestrating operational leverage amid a volatile retail environment,” said Felix Dennl, an analyst at Metzler in Frankfurt.

    Sales of popular retro shoe models helped boost sales of brands including Puma and Adidas last year.

    Puma said it still aims to sell 4 million to 6 million pairs of its relaunched motor racing-inspired “Speedcat” sneaker, though Freundt said an expected uptick in sales was taking longer than expected to materialise.

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  • Puma opens its first flagship in Vietnam

    Puma opens its first flagship in Vietnam

    Sportwear retailer Puma has launched its first flagship in Vietnam, following the opening of its largest Southeast Asian store in Malaysia.

    The store is located in the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, in the Vincom Dong Khoi shopping mall, and offers a broad selection of Puma items for men and women.

    The launch is part of Puma’s Southeast Asian development strategy.

    Puma debuted in Vietnam in the 2000s and is distributed exclusively by Maison through around 14 physical stores in Vietnam.

    In June, Puma named K-pop girl band member, Blackpink’s Rose, as its global brand ambassador, joining Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Dua Lipa, and Skepta.

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  • Decathlon Singapore opens new outlet, revamps Kallang store

    Decathlon Singapore opens new outlet, revamps Kallang store

    Decathlon has completed two developments in Singapore: renovating the Decathlon Lab in Kallang and opening a new outlet at Lot One Shoppers’ Mall in the Northwest region.

    The Singapore Lab now features a modern layout with immersive alcoves, offering customers a more interactive and personalised shopping experience. Its new design leads through different sports areas in a circular path, making it easier to find related products.

    In addition, the store introduces digital solutions like a Safe Size digital foot scan, which uses 3D tech to help shoppers find their perfect shoe fit; the Zwift Cycling Turbo Challenge; and watersports testing zones for the Stand-Up Paddle and Kayak.

    Meanwhile, the new Lot One outlet is Decathlon’s 11th click-and-collect outlet in the country and its first in the Northwest. It will offer a range of items, including hiking, fitness, running, and water sports gear.

    The company plans to refresh all its experience stores with similar features over the next two years.

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  • Nike’s Olympics ad featuring athlete licking table tennis triggers controversy among Chinese netizens

    Nike’s Olympics ad featuring athlete licking table tennis triggers controversy among Chinese netizens

    Nike’s new ad for the 2024 Paris Olympics, featuring an Asian table tennis player licking her paddle, has sparked controversy among Chinese social media users.

    Though the nationality of the table tennis player has not been specified, many Chinese social media users have implied that the scene targeted China, as table tennis is the country’s national sport. They complained that the video, uploaded to Nike’s social media accounts on July 19 , was “smearing the image of the Chinese people.”

    “What’s the purpose of making this action? It’s disrespectful, incomprehensible and unacceptable,” one netizen wrote.

    The Global Times reported that by Tuesday, the hashtag “Nike promotional video licking table tennis paddle” had already garnered 81 million views on Weibo.

    Others suggest that the inclusion of the scene might have been a deliberate attempt to provoke and stir controversy, and comments expressing how they no longer buy Nike products racked up thousands of likes.

    One netizen commented: “Only people with dirty thoughts would think it’s a bad action. Licking the paddle obviously was to raise their fighting spirit and provoke the competitor.”

    The South China Morning Post reported that in response to the video, a Weibo user expressed confusion and criticism, asking: “What does licking a table tennis paddle even mean? What was the person who made this commercial even thinking, that the paddle is clean and sweet, like a lollipop?”

    It is reported that Nike’s customer service in China stated that it “will reflect the concerns to supervisors.”

    China will be represented by 405 athletes at the Paris Games starting on Friday.

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  • Puma to launch compostable shoes after a two-year pilot project

    Puma to launch compostable shoes after a two-year pilot project

    After two years of testing, sports giant Puma is ready to launch its compostable shoes dubbed Re:suede 2.0.

    Puma will create 500 pairs of the commercial version of the sneaker, which went online available for purchase on puma.com/eu and Zalando Plus this week. The commercial version was created to reflect the experiment’s findings and the volunteers’ feedback.

    Puma produced 500 special pairs of its Suede trainers using materials such as Zeology-tanned Suede – chosen for their propensity to degrade – as part of the project, which was completed late last year.

    Volunteers wore the Re:suede trainers for six months before returning them to Puma, where they were transformed into compost at Puma’s composting partner’s specially equipped industrial composting facility.

    “Re:suede 2.0 is an important step towards finding viable end-of-life solutions for our footwear,” said Anne-Laure Descours, Puma’s chief sourcing officer.

    “While we are excited about this progress, we will continue to innovate with our partners to determine the infrastructure needed for a scalable long-term solution, essential for achieving meaningful impact in waste reduction.”

    The Re:suede project and the polyester recycling programme Re:fibre were developed as part of Puma’s “Circular Lab,” an innovation hub directed by the company’s innovation and design professionals that aims to shape the company’s circularity programs for the future.

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  • Newest version of Fitbit on Android allows you to manually log your body temperature

    Newest version of Fitbit on Android allows you to manually log your body temperature

    Fitbit has recently rolled out an update for its Android app, bringing it to version 4.06. This latest update introduces a new feature that enables users to manually record their body temperature readings using their thermometer.

    Users will now be able to tap the floating action button and find a new option for “Temperature” alongside Activity, Sleep, Food, Water, and Weight. The “Body temperature” card under “Health” in the Today feed will take you to a stats page that follows the new design style.

    Additionally, Fitbit has introduced a new feature that allows users to manage their manually logged entries easily. Now, you can specify a precise time for these entries and even delete them if needed. Users will also have the option to completely disable the card by accessing the “Customize Today” toggles page.

    This feature is a recent addition to the revamped Fitbit app. However, it is possible that it might have already been accessible in the previous version of the app if you owned a Fitbit tracker or smartwatch capable of measuring nightly skin temperature variations.

    Google Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with a temperature sensor that will soon be equipped with this functionality to measure body temperature — as soon as the US Food and Drug Administration grants the regulatory approval. Once the feature is available, users will be able to take a reading from the app and effortlessly save it to the Fitbit app. This could be extremely helpful to recognize ahead of time the onset of a possible illness or to track female reproductive health.

    The app can be downloaded or updated on Android from the Google Play Store, while iOS is currently on version 4.08. This latest addition to the Fitbit app is a welcome feature that empowers users to closely track their health and make well-informed decisions regarding their health.

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  • Strava brings free messaging to iOS and Android

    Strava brings free messaging to iOS and Android

    Strava made an exciting move this week, announcing messaging for iOS and Android users. The popular mobile app for athletes revealed a new feature that will be available for free to all its users, Messaging.

    Launched this week, the new feature offers users two options: direct (one-on-one) and group messages. In addition to these key features, Strava’s messaging tool provides more functionality in the forms of even more features:

    • Easily share Activities and Routes to messaging to help assist in coordination and celebration.
    • Message creators can personalize the name of group chats for a more tailored experience.
    • Athletes can bring motivation, hype and even some friendly competition through message reactions, gifs, and replies.

    The Messaging feature on Strava can be customized based on the user’s desired experience on the platform. For starters, Strava users can set their preferences on who can invite them to a Group Message or who can message them directly.

    Also, the feature’s settings will be automatically set based on a user’s profile visibility, but it can be adjusted to receive messages to and from “Following,” “Mutuals,” or “No One,” under settings in the Strava app.

    To send a message, simply tap the corresponding button on the profile of the Strava user you wish to message. Remember that while you can send messages to Strava users who follow you, you may not be able to message to a user depending on their privacy controls.

  • Puma says it has successfully converted sneakers into compost in pilot trial

    Puma says it has successfully converted sneakers into compost in pilot trial

    Sportswear company Puma has successfully produced compost from an experimental version of its classic suede sneaker, according to the results of its two-year-long Re:suede experiment.

    The experiment was the first program to launch as part of the company’s “Circular Lab”, an innovation hub led by innovation and design experts to create the future of the its circularity programs.

    The company created 500 pairs of experimental Re:suedes in 2021 using Zeology tanned suede, a TPE outsole, and hemp fibres during the experiment.

    Volunteers from Germany wore the shoes for six months to test their comfort and durability before being sent to a specially equipped industrial composting area operated by the Ortessa Group in the Netherlands.

    After being mixed with household waste and placed into a composting tunnel, the shoes were sprayed with leaching water from earlier composting that contained nutrients and naturally heated from the biological activity and controlled air circulation in the tunnel.

    The composting process took approximately 3.5 months, and the materials that were small enough (<10mm) to pass through a sieve were sold as Grade A compost for agricultural use in the Netherlands. The remaining materials were returned to the composting tunnel until they, too, had broken down to the desired level <10mm).

    “While the Re:suede could not be processed under the standard operating procedures for industrial composting, the shoes eventually turned into compost,” said Anne-Laure Descours, chief sourcing officer at Puma.

    “We will continue to innovate with our partners to determine the infrastructure and technologies needed to make the process viable for a commercial version of the Re: suede, including a takeback scheme, in 2024.”

    The company plans to share its insights in a detailed report so its peers and other interested stakeholders can learn from the experiment and apply the learnings to their initiatives.

    “We learned a lot during the Re:suede trial and how to streamline our industrial composting process to include items that need longer to turn into compost,” added Marthien van Eersel, manager of materials and innovations at Ortessa.

    As a result of feedback from volunteers who wore the Re:suedes for half a year, the company plans to enhance the overall fit of future versions of the shoes by using a new material pattern for the upper and the sock liner.

  • Fila records a 35 per cent decrease in revenue

    Fila records a 35 per cent decrease in revenue

    Fila’s parent company Fila Holdings reported overall earnings of US$766.97 million for the third quarter, for which the company credits its global five-year “Winning Together” strategy established last year.

    The group said its operating profit was $71.6 million, boosted by strong sales at subsidiary Acushnet.

    Acushnet’s quarterly revenue increased by 3.3 percent year-on-year to $602.84 million due to strong demand for Titleist golf balls, as well as strong sales of its newly launched Titleist golf clubs and a higher average selling price (ASP).

    Meanwhile, Fila reported $163.44 million in quarterly revenue, a 35.1 percent reduction year-on-year.

    Fila Holdings is paying out a special dividend for the second year in a row, despite the Fila brand’s strategic transition obstacles. The company’s long-term commitment to increasing shareholder value is an important component of its Winning Together strategy.

    “In the face of a challenging business environment, we are striving to improve shareholder value alog with profitability in our main business,” said Fila Holdings CFO Ho Yeon (Aaron) Lee. n

    “We recorded solid consolidated quarterly earnings based on the growth of Acushnet, while we remain committed to our long-term goals with the Fila brand.”

    Fila is enhancing its position as a representative tennis brand, the company said, by participating as an official sponsor in UTS Seoul. This new concept tennis event will be staged in Asia for the first time at the end of this month.

  • Gentle Monster opens its first Australian store

    Gentle Monster opens its first Australian store

    South Korean luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster has entered the Australian domestic market with its first store opened inside David Jones’ Elizabeth Street, Sydney site.

    Gentle Monster David Jones features the brand’s signature kinetic art installation ‘Giant Head’, allowing visitors to “experience mysterious emotions through its indecipherable facial expressions which seem to penetrate the essence of the viewer”. Overseeing all Gentle Monster’s operations in Australia, Bluebell Group plans to open a flagship store next July.

    “This first opening in Sydney’s domestic market is a significant milestone for both the brand and Bluebell,” said Nelly Ngadiman, MD of Bluebell Southeast Asia & Australia. “It is a recognition of a close, successful partnership.

    “The brand’s uniqueness and disruptive nature in the fashion eyewear category enhances our teams’ commitment to retail excellence even further.”

    The launch is in partnership with retail brand operator Bluebell Group, following last year’s opening of Gentle Monster’s first travel retail airside space in the Southern Hemisphere at Sydney airport.

    Gentle Monster has recently expanded in Asia Pacific to further capitalize on the region’s growing luxury market. The eyewear brand opened its first store in the Philippines last month at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, after entering Thailand with the first store opened in Bangkok’s EmQuartier earlier this year. The first Gentle Monster store in Malaysia is set to open at Kuala Lumpur’s luxury premise The Exchange TRX.

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  • Skechers granted an injunction against Dockers for alleged patent infringement

    Skechers granted an injunction against Dockers for alleged patent infringement

    In August, Skechers sued nonslip shoemaker Laforst Shoes over the alleged infringement of the slip-in-heel design. These shoe styles were the subject of high-profile Super Bowl ads earlier this year featuring Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, and Skechers says it’s sold millions of pairs of the hands-free shoe.

    On October 5, the Düsseldorf Regional Court in Germany found that Dockers had infringed on one of Skechers’ heel pillow designs, per the Skechers release.

    In a news release on the ruling, Skechers President Michael Greenberg said the company would “continue to aggressively police and enforce” its proprietary rights for the sneaker design.

    “While the ruling can be appealed, we are very pleased that the German court in the first instance acknowledged Skechers’ rights and immediately stopped the sale of the offending shoe style throughout the European Union,” Greenberg said. “Skechers invests tremendous resources into product development to introduce fresh, unique, and exciting footwear to its customers year in and year out.

    While Skechers always prefers to compete in the marketplace rather than the courtroom, the Company has no choice but to seek legal recourse when competitors infringe on our intellectual property rights.”

    Skechers’ legal complaint against Laforst is ongoing, though court documents show the parties have engaged in settlement discussions. As of Sept. 26, a judge in the United States District Court Central District of California gave Skechers 30 days to finalize its settlement with Laforst.

    In April, Skechers settled a patent dispute with French luxury brand Hermès over its Massage Fit sole.

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  • Maximus releases its first zero-sugar sports drink

    Maximus releases its first zero-sugar sports drink

    Beverage giant Frucor Suntory’s sports drink brand Maximus, has launched Zero, its first sugar-free option in its best-selling flavour – Blue.

    The brand says it aims to shatter the myth that zero sugar means taste-free, and its formula is able to retain Blue’s “remarkable” taste.

    Lisa Pearce, marketing manager, nutrition and hydration, Frucor Suntory – Oceania, said Maximus is about delivering choices to consumers.

    “The launch of ZERO is a proud moment for us, as it showcases our dedication to flavor innovation,” said Pearce.

    “With ZERO, we’re giving  consumers an irresistible option that doesn’t compromise on taste.”

    Maximus Zero is available in 1L bottles for an RRP of $5.50 in groceries, supermarkets, and convenience stores nationwide.

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  • The Most Popular Sports in Malaysia 2023

    The Most Popular Sports in Malaysia 2023

    Malaysia has a diverse sporting culture and decent success in international competition across many sports. Due to this and its great sports infrastructure, the interest in sports in Malaysia is at its all-time-high. Here are five sports that are the most popular in Malaysia.

    1.   Badminton

    Malaysia is probably the second-largest badminton hub in the world in terms of representation. Now, given the fact that the first place goes to China (18%) and Malaysia has 44 times fewer people than China, this goes to show you just how serious Malaysia is about badminton (14%).

    This country is the home of the Malaysian Open, one of the most significant tournaments in this sport.

    This is hardly surprising because just over 12% of the Malaysian population plays badminton, making it the most-participated-in sport in the country.

    2.   Soccer

    Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and Malaysia is no exception to this rule. When the national football team is playing (Harimau Malaya), the whole country is out to cheer them, but many great local football teams are active there. Most notably, there are:

    • Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT)
    • Selangor FA
    • Kuala Lumpur City

    There’s no denying that football is fun, whether you’re playing it, watching it, or even betting on it. While it’s illegal for sportsbooks to operate in Malaysia, it’s not illegal for foreigners to bet on Malaysian teams or for locals to bet via sites whose servers are not based in Malaysia, as more and more residents are doing. Fortunately, there’s a long list of betting sites on sportslensmalaysia.com for that very purpose, each offering competitive odds on Malaysian leagues, which just goes to show the popularity of Malaysian soccer leagues both in the country itself and around the world.

    3.   Hockey

    Hockey is a surprisingly popular sport in Malaysia, and the Malaysian men’s team even won a gold medal at the 1966 Asian Games. In 1975, they hosted the Men’s Hockey World Cup.

    The MHL (Malaysian Hockey League) is the premier domestic competition, and it attracts thousands and thousands of local viewers, with a sizable foreign interest, as well.

    Due to this rich history and tradition, it’s no wonder so many Malayans have shown interest in hockey since a young age.

    4.   Cycling

    Cycling is one of the fastest-growing trends in Malaysia. The sport is promoted everywhere, and more than a few government incentives exist to get this wheel rolling, so to speak.

    Another thing to remember is that participation always plays a huge role in the sport’s popularity. Following a bit of a pro cycling scene could help make the sport more interesting. The country has the perfect terrain for mountain biking, which is another pro in its favor.

    5.   Sepak Takraw

    This list wouldn’t be complete without Sepak Takraw, Malaysia’s autochthonous version of kick volleyball. Now, anyone who has already read that soccer and badminton are the two most popular sports in the country should not be surprised to find that a sport embodying the rules of the two is also incredibly popular.

    It’s played in teams of two to four players on a small court with a special traditional ball that’s 5.3 inches in diameter. While the standardized sport is new, everyone agrees that Sepak Takraw amalgamates several traditional, local sports.

  • Netflix to launch Nike Training Hub on December 30

    Netflix to launch Nike Training Hub on December 30

    Netflix would like to help you stick to your fitness-related new year’s resolutions this year. Starting December 30, 30 hours of video content will become available on the platform, through a partnership with NIke.

    Reality check: in recent years, the number of new year’s resolutions related to losing weight are seeing a decline, but that isn’t a cause for celebration, as obesity rates are going up. However, it would be best if you remembere: there is no time like the present.

    While new year’s resolutions may not be the best method for losing weight, having access to content from Nike Training Club on your Netflix app certainly is. It will be released in two bahes, available in multiple languages and to users of all subscription plans, so all that is required of you is to get motivated and give it a shot.

    In case this is the first time you’ve heard about Nike’s training program, it is built around an app that wants you to stick to your decision and help you build healthy habits through fine-tuned training regimens and workout sessions.

    We still don’t know what the second series will include, but we know that it will become available some time in 2023. Until then, batch one will certainly give you enough to sink your sport shoes’ heels in to with:13 episodes of basics of Fitness

    • 7 episodes of core workouts
    • 6 episodes of yoga
    • 14 episodes of strength training
    • 5 episodes of feel-good fitness

    Considering that this is not your typical binge-worthy series, but content that you will actually revisit multiple times — or at least until you’ve gotten a steady workout routine down — it is certainly more than enough to help you get started on that new you.

    The program will also feature videos, suitable for people of all fitness levels, meaning that you will be able to tell the ones that aren’t for you yet, but they will still be available to you when you decide to push things further.

    The videos will be led by certified trainers from Nike’s Training Club solution. And if you like what you see on Netflix, you can also download Nike’s app too for a full experience. Oh, and by the way — the app is completely free, and offers tons more, like additional workouts, goal reminders and expert tips on nutrition and diet.

    As Netflix is stepping up their game regarding, um… well, games on the platform, we can definitely expect them to bring more fitness options too, especially if Nike’s series receives a warm welcome. And you know what? This year might be it, so you should definitely try going for Netflix and Treadmill instead of Netflix and Chill.

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