Glasses on the run Newsletter #62
Hi,
I hope you are all well and enjoying a well deserved holiday break. Here is the last edition of the Glasses on the run newsletter for 2024 with a few videos and looks at what we can expect from some of the major running brands in 2025.
What was interesting in the business of running
Nike reported its results for Q2, which ended on 30th November 2024. Overall revenues were $12.4 billion, down 8% compared to the same period last year. Nike Direct (Nike's DTC business), which Nike invested heavily in under CEO John Donahoe over the last five years or so, was down 13% overall. That was mostly driven by Nike Digital, which was down 22% globally, but in EMEA it dropped as low as 32%. Footwear, which is Nike's largest business line, dropped 11% year on year. (SGB Online). However, under new CEO Elliott Hill and as announced earlier, Nike is already starting to change its strategy, trying to rebuild its position with wholesale partners. As an example, Academy Sports + Outdoors - a large US sporting good store chain, is starting to increase Nike's representation across more than 140 of its stores (SGB Online). And one final point on Nike - here is a glimpse of more than 20 of its forthcoming 2025 footwear styles (Nike).
Garmin has published its 2024 data report, based on data from its Garmin Connect platform. Interesting observations on a range of metrics like sleep, stress and the Garmin proprietary Body Battery score (Garmin). And here's the latest Garmin updated watch line up (FloTrack on YouTube).
Puma and Manchester City have launched a fan competition to design the official third kit for the 2026-2027 season. Fans are using a Puma AI Creator tool to design the kit. The competition is already underway with the 10 best designs to be presented for fan voting in January 2025 (Manchester City) and more in this podcast (Modern Retail).
Here is also a video showcase of New Balance's 2025 FuelCell running shoe line up (FloTrack on YouTube) and an interview with NewBalance's Chief Marketing Officer (Forbes on YouTube).
And finally, this is a list of the most exciting trail running shoes for 2025 (Believe in the run).
As always, thank you for reading. I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new 2025!
Momchil
