K-Swiss announced a multi-year apparel and footwear partnership with professional pickleball player, commentator and “Coach to the Stars” Matt Manasse as the brand continues to invest in pickleball. K-Swiss currently has three pickleball-specific shoes in its line, available online and at retail.

On Labor Day, Red Wing Shoes is launching a campaign called "Trades-Made" that aims to celebrate and support skilled trade workers, and honor the “true meaning” of Labor Day. The “Trades-Made” campaign is a call to action that invites other brands from various sectors to participate as well. Red Wing Shoes is incorporating a “Trades-Made” badge into its logo, and says over 15 other brands have committed to join in on the campaign. Red Wing hopes to welcome more into the fold over the next week. The brand has fully open sourced the campaign; any brand that opts to participate will receive custom “Trades-Made” ads, films, social posts and more created by the Red Wing team. Those interested in participating or learning more about the initiative can visit trades-made.com for additional information.

Retail chain Academy Sports + Outdoors recently opened its first store in the Indianapolis area, and its fifth in the state of Indiana, an approximately 75,000-square-foot store in Westfield, IN. It is the third store Academy has opened in 2023. Academy says it plans to open 13-15 stores this year, and a total of 120 to 140 new stores by the end of 2027.

Baozun Inc. has acquired a 51 percent stake in Hunter for Greater China and Southeast Asia via a newly formed Authentic Brands subsidiary. The two parties have signed an exclusive, long-term license agreement that will enable Baozun to design, manufacture, market and distribute Hunter brand products in Greater China.