Latest news with #GlycerinMax
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Berkshire's Brooks Running committed to southeast Asia as tariffs take hold
By Jonathan Stempel OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) -Brooks Running, which is owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, is committed to keeping production in southeast Asia even if U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs mean consumers will pay more for its performance running shoes, its chief executive said. Dan Sheridan, a 27-year Brooks veteran and chief executive since April 2024, in an interview at Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting noted the risks of higher tariffs on Vietnam and Indonesia, where Brooks makes its shoes. For now, Sheridan said the Seattle-based company founded in 1914 is modeling that Trump's blanket 10% import tariff sticks. The outlook is less clear if Trump implements his threatened respective 46% and 32% tariffs on Vietnamese and Indonesian imports. Brooks produces 85% of its shoes in Vietnam and the remainder in Indonesia. "When the election happened, we were already assuming that tariffs were coming," Sheridan said. "But we are committed to those countries. Southeast Asia makes the best performance running shoes, and so we've spent 20-plus years with partners that we trust." Sheridan spoke with Reuters on May 2, one day before Warren Buffett announced his plan to step down as Berkshire's chief executive. Brooks said revenue including from apparel grew 9% last year to more than $1.3 billion, and believes revenue could rise to $1.5 billion this year. While 80% of revenue comes from North America, China is a particularly fast-growing market, where, according to Sheridan, almost 70% of sales come from the $200 Glycerin Max, its second most expensive shoe. PRICE HIKE COMING U.S. consumers will soon feel even the 10% tariff. Sheridan said Brooks told retailers the price of its top-selling Ghost will rise $10 this fall to $150, a level he said was appropriate for the shoes and wouldn't hurt demand. A 46% tariff would be something altogether. "Like most people and most business leaders, we were a bit shocked," he said. "We had been working on models of increasing tariffs, but we did not model a 46% or 32% tariff. The market wouldn't take a 46% price (increase)." Last week, Brooks was among 76 footwear brands that signed a letter from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America trade group that asked the White House for an exemption to reciprocal tariffs, saying it posed an "existential threat" to the U.S. footwear industry. Household names like Nike, Adidas and Skechers were among the signers. Another Berkshire-owned footwear company, Justin Brands, also signed. But Sheridan said earlier periods with heightened economic uncertainty showed that people will keep running. They may give up the gym, he said, but not the road. "It's something of a recession-proof category," he said. "There's a ton of uncertainty on the supply chain side, but we believe there is less uncertainty in participation." EXPANDING THE BRAND One area where Brooks is cutting back: hiring. "Where there is uncertainty on the outlook, the best businesses tighten their belt," Sheridan said. "We haven't stopped hiring, but we're being very strategic in the roles we hire." Brooks remains committed to expanding the brand, and may add additional partnerships after establishing marketing alliances in 2024 with Disney and the Seattle Kraken hockey team. And while Brooks eschews chasing fashion trends, its Max shoes incorporate the oversized midsoles now more widely found in shoes of rivals such as Hoka and Asics. But Sheridan said such shoes should offer biomechanical benefits to runners, not simply look good or different. Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
05-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Berkshire's Brooks Running committed to southeast Asia as tariffs take hold
OMAHA, Nebraska, May 5 (Reuters) - Brooks Running, which is owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRKa.N), opens new tab, is committed to keeping production in southeast Asia even if U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs mean consumers will pay more for its performance running shoes, its chief executive said. Dan Sheridan, a 27-year Brooks veteran and chief executive since April 2024, in an interview at Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting noted the risks of higher tariffs on Vietnam and Indonesia, where Brooks makes its shoes. For now, Sheridan said the Seattle-based company founded in 1914 is modeling that Trump's blanket 10% import tariff sticks. The outlook is less clear if Trump implements his threatened respective 46% and 32% tariffs on Vietnamese and Indonesian imports. Brooks produces 85% of its shoes in Vietnam and the remainder in Indonesia. "When the election happened, we were already assuming that tariffs were coming," Sheridan said. "But we are committed to those countries. Southeast Asia makes the best performance running shoes, and so we've spent 20-plus years with partners that we trust." Sheridan spoke with Reuters on May 2, one day before Warren Buffett announced his plan to step down as Berkshire's chief executive. Brooks said revenue including from apparel grew 9% last year to more than $1.3 billion, and believes revenue could rise to $1.5 billion this year. While 80% of revenue comes from North America, China is a particularly fast-growing market, where, according to Sheridan, almost 70% of sales come from the $200 Glycerin Max, its second most expensive shoe. PRICE HIKE COMING U.S. consumers will soon feel even the 10% tariff. Sheridan said Brooks told retailers the price of its top-selling Ghost will rise $10 this fall to $150, a level he said was appropriate for the shoes and wouldn't hurt demand. A 46% tariff would be something altogether. "Like most people and most business leaders, we were a bit shocked," he said. "We had been working on models of increasing tariffs, but we did not model a 46% or 32% tariff. The market wouldn't take a 46% price (increase)." Last week, Brooks was among 76 footwear brands that signed a letter from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America trade group that asked the White House for an exemption to reciprocal tariffs, saying it posed an "existential threat" to the U.S. footwear industry. Household names like Nike (NKE.N), opens new tab, Adidas ( opens new tab and Skechers (SKX.N), opens new tab were among the signers, opens new tab. Another Berkshire-owned footwear company, Justin Brands, also signed. But Sheridan said earlier periods with heightened economic uncertainty showed that people will keep running. They may give up the gym, he said, but not the road. "It's something of a recession-proof category," he said. "There's a ton of uncertainty on the supply chain side, but we believe there is less uncertainty in participation." EXPANDING THE BRAND One area where Brooks is cutting back: hiring. "Where there is uncertainty on the outlook, the best businesses tighten their belt," Sheridan said. "We haven't stopped hiring, but we're being very strategic in the roles we hire." Brooks remains committed to expanding the brand, and may add additional partnerships after establishing marketing alliances in 2024 with Disney (DIS.N), opens new tab and the Seattle Kraken hockey team. And while Brooks eschews chasing fashion trends, its Max shoes incorporate the oversized midsoles now more widely found in shoes of rivals such as Hoka and Asics (7936.T), opens new tab. But Sheridan said such shoes should offer biomechanical benefits to runners, not simply look good or different.
The Guardian
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Marathon essentials: everything you need to survive your first 26.2 – and what you can run without
The lure of the marathon – arguably running's most heralded achievement – has never been as strong. A record-breaking 840,000 people signed up for the London Marathon 2025 ballot. Big city marathons, such as Berlin and New York, keep setting benchmarks for the biggest crowds toeing the start line. If you're among the runners getting ready to answer the call of the 26.2 for the first time – and you're sweating over the kit you need to get you there – you're in the right place. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. I ran my first marathon in Paris in 2009 and have completed 58 marathons since. Some fast, plenty slow, and I've put together a few flat lays in my time. So I know how important it is to get marathon kit right. From the best marathon running shoes for speed and comfort to preventing the dreaded nipple chafe, kit choices can make or break your race-day dreams. Or, at the very least, they can be the difference between a happy day out and hours of torment on the tarmac. I can't guarantee you'll finish with a smile, but here's my shortlist of the mission-critical kit you need to stack the odds in your favour. Starting with the most important item – your running shoes. In recent years, marketing hype has suggested you have to run a marathon in a carbon-plate super-shoe. However, the best running shoe for first-time marathoners probably isn't a stripped-back race shoe that prioritises speed over protection. I always advise beginners to ask themselves: will I still want to be running in this shoe if the wheels come off at mile 18, when I'm in a world of pain and everything feels slow, heavy and ragged? The correct shoe is the one that'll work from mile one to mile 26.2. Those fall, roughly, into three camps. Brooks Glycerin Max The Glycerin Max has a truly giant stack of new DNA Tuned nitrogen-infused foam to provide softness, springiness and maximum cushioning with a more reliable stability. When you're running on tired, beaten-up legs, the cocooned, protective comfort will be kind to fatigued feet. Men's£180 at Brooks Running£179.95 at Runners Need Women's£180 at Brooks Running£179.95 at Runners Need Nike Vomero 18 With a giant stack of foam, plush-padded heel collars and tongues, and soft, cosy uppers, everything about the Vomero 18 is geared towards cruising comfort. The dual-foam midsole is soft and cushioned without being leg-sapping. It'll put some pep in your step when you're moving well, but it'll still look after you if you start to struggle. All that extra padding means it's quite heavy, but you're trading weight for comfort. Men's£134.99, Nike£134.99 at Pro Direct Women's£134.99 at Nike£134.99 at Pro Direct Asics Novablast 5 This non-plated, big-cushioned running shoe is primarily designed for everyday runs – and that's part of the appeal. You can use it for most of your marathon training and it'll perform on race day. The soft, bouncy, energetic midsole is versatile. It lacks the thrust of all-out race shoes, but the ride is still smooth, springy and controlled. When you're moving well, with good form and pushing your pace, it returns the energy you put in. There's plenty of road-impact protection at slower paces, too. It's a capable marathon cruiser and no matter how you feel at mile 20, it's got your back. Men's£134.99 at Sports Shoes£135 at Asics Women's£134.99 at Sports Shoes£135 at Asics If you've trained well, you're in great shape and you fancy giving it full beans, lacing up a carbon race shoe can provide leg-sparing efficiency gains. It can also just make you feel fast. However, choose your weapon wisely. Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB From the current crop of carbon race shoes, Brooks's latest racer would be my choice for beginners. It's light and airy, and so comfortable on the foot that you can forget you're wearing it. The 100% Peba superfoam midsole and plate are fast and smooth but, crucially, more natural and reliable than some wilder carbon race shoes. It delivers all the energy you want when you're hitting your splits, but offers enough backup comfort should race plan A unravel to plan C! Unisex£200 at Brooks Running£199.90 at Amazon Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 Springy and energetic but with a broader, nicely stable cushioned platform, this shoe offers some of that super-shoe energy and efficiency but with much more road protection to fall back on should things get tough deep into the race. If you need to slow down and rock back on your heels, the Endorphin Pro 4's high-cushion platform will help you wobble home in comfort. Men's£229.95 at Runners Need£230 at Saucony Women's£229.95 at Runners Need£230 at Saucony Clocking up indoor miles? Read our guide to the best treadmills for your home Men's CXP XP EnduranceFrom £37 at CXP Women's CXP XP EnduranceFrom £35 at CXP Don't underestimate the importance of a trusted pair of comfortable running undies. Much comes down to personal preference, but it's worth investing in run-specific underwear that uses soft fabric that wicks well, with minimal or flat seams to help avoid chafing. Runderwear is a popular choice. I also recommend the sports underwear specialist CXP. Its range of running and training briefs – for men and women – is incredibly light, comfortable and reliable against unwanted rubbing. There are a few different styles, but the CXP XP Endurance is ideal for longer training and events. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Men's Fujitraiil Elite shorts £85 at Asics Women's Fujitrail Elite shorts£85 at Asics Some runners love the fast, free and light feeling you get only from the shortest race shorts. Others prefer the second-skin, suit-of-armour coverage offered by longer-leg half-tights. For sheer practicality, I find the best option is the storage short. A good pair of storage shorts combine built-in belts, zippered pockets and leg pockets to provide all the stash space you need to carry gels, phone, headphones and your other marathon essentials. Often you need to look for trail shorts for maximum storage, and the Asics Fujitrail Elite shorts are a great example of a lightweight option with ample stash space. Stance Icon Sport crew£12.99 at Stance Those old cotton gym socks might work for the odd 5km, but they're a fast ticket to blisters when you start increasing your distances. Happy feet make for a happy runner, so you definitely want a few good pairs of comfortable, durable technical running socks in your kitbag. There are plenty of good brands to choose from, but Stance stands out. You can't go far wrong with a pair of Stance's run-technical socks, but these crew socks are an excellent mid-cushioned choice that are great for comfort on longer runs. They're quite thick but that generous padding in the reinforced heel, toes and all the way around the foot will be welcome in hour three of the marathon. Coros Pace 3£219.99 at Decathlon£219 at Amazon The light and compact Pace 3 is one of the best-value running watches you can buy. It offers an impressive 38 hours of battery, reliable dual-frequency GPS and a competitive suite of in-depth training, health and recovery features, including marathon training plans, fitness progress and recovery insights. Everything you need to train for a marathon is covered, along with handy tools for race day, such as a virtual pacer and race-time predictions. Garmin Forerunner 165 Music£289 at Argos £288.56 at Amazon It's pricier than the Coros, but the Forerunner 165 Music is a highly capable watch with enough training and race-tracking tools to conquer a marathon. The bright, smartwatch-style AMOLED display punches up the visibility of your vital stats, the 19-hour GPS battery life happily endures race day and there are reliable GPS and heart-rate trackers. If you want to run phone-free, it also offers offline Spotify. Garmin's PacePro tool can create a pacing strategy based on your marathon course with real-time feedback along the way. Amazfit Up£42.68 at Amazon An excellent open-ear alternative to bone-conduction headphones, the lightweight, clip-on Up is among the more affordable running headphones. Yet it has plenty of marathon-friendly features for the price. That includes an unshakeable fit that leaves your ears open, so you can soundtrack your run but stay tuned into the race-day atmosphere. If you struggle wearing in-ear buds for hours on end, this new style is more comfortable. It's a bit like clipping two tiny speakers in front of your ears, where they kick out surprisingly big, run-boosting sound. Throw in a marathon-taming six hours of playback on the buds – 18 more in the charging case – and you've got a cut-price rival for classic headphones. 2Toms Sport Shield£17.99 at Mountain Warehouse£18.99 at Amazon Stand at the finish line of any major marathon and you'll see countless runners crossing the line with big red circles around their nipples: the bloody aftermath of spending 26.2 miles with fabric rubbing your soft bits raw. I've been that runner. It's a painful mistake you make only once. 2Toms' Sport Shield roll-on oil has been my go-to for a decade to avoid that fate. It provides a trusty barrier against unwanted friction burns. It's easy to apply to all the at-risk areas – nipples, thighs, under arms – and even the hardest-to-reach nooks and crannies. It's relatively mess-free and covers easily, and one application lasts all day. The tube is portable, too – should you need to take it with you. There's also a Sport Shield Extra variety that offers more waterproofing and skin-soothing extras, such as aloe, green tea extract and shea butter. Riemann P20 SPF50+ spray, 200ml£19.99 at Boots£24 at Look Fantastic When you're training and racing, you'll spend long hours exposed to the sun's harmful rays, so it's smart to slather on sunscreen. However, traditional sun creams run when you sweat and often require reapplication. I've been putting on P20 SPF50+ ever since I used it to fend off the Saharan sun while running the Marathon des Sables in 2015. It's water- and sweat-resistant, so it doesn't leak into your eyes and partly blind you mid-run. The spray bottle also makes application about as mess-free as sun protection gets. And one liberal coating protects from all the sun's nasties for 10 hours. Get your post-run recovery sorted with our expert-approved guide to the best massage guns Hydration vest There are benefits to running with a hydration vest, and they're great for being self-sufficient on long training runs. Having water always at hand during a race breeds confidence and saves you grabbing cups from hectic water stations on the move. Vests also offer a convenient way to carry your energy gels. However, you'll feel less burdened if you leave it at home on race day. Most big-city marathons have aid stations at frequent points, so if you want to lighten your load you can safely leave the pack. Compression arm sleeves You'll see lots of runners slipping on compression arm sleeves in search of marginal gains. These elasticated accessories are designed to improve blood flow, help boost oxygen delivery and limit the movement that causes tiny muscle tears, affecting recovery times. Research suggests, though, there's no real performance benefit for runners. So unless you're using them for warmth, or you really love the way they look or make you feel, skip them.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brooks Running Clocks Another Year of Record-Breaking Revenue
2024 Marked by Strong Global Growth for the Leading Performance Run Brand SEATTLE, February 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brooks Running finished 2024 with record global revenue, up 9% year over year, fueled by growth in every region and channel. This outcome marked eight consecutive years of growth for the leading run brand, which delivered a 13% compound annual growth rate over that horizon. Global expansion efforts drove strong 2024 results in EMEA, where Brooks grew two and three times the pace of the performance running market growth rates in France and Germany, respectively.1 In APLA, Brooks grew 228% year over year in China, the second largest running market in the world. For the third consecutive year, Brooks maintained its position as the No. 1 adult performance running footwear brand in U.S. national retail.2 The brand also led the U.S. specialty retail channel throughout Q4, the most discerning channel in performance run, with a 19% year-over-year increase. Participation continues to rise around the world; in 2024, running event participants increased 8% in the U.S.,3 and on the global app Strava, running is considered the fastest-growing social sport.4 "The sun is shining on the performance running category, and we continue to welcome new people into the sport and our brand," said Dan Sheridan, Brooks CEO. "The Brooks team has never been better at crafting best-in-class running gear and experiences and then connecting with runners and active people in their health and wellness journeys." Core innovation and product introductions fuel growth All of Brooks' core footwear franchises introduced new versions in 2024 for the first time since 2021, driving active (full-price) sales up 12% as consumers reacted favorably to the robust pipeline of fresh product. The Ghost and Adrenaline GTS led sales for the brand and together commanded more than 10% market share in U.S. retail for performance running footwear sold in the year. Ghost Max global revenue increased 203% in the new style's first full year, helping to drive growth and add dimension to the popular Ghost franchise. In September, Brooks launched the all-new Glycerin Max with strong adoption from the market globally. On its launch day in China, it was the No. 1 shoe sold on Tmall, China's largest online retailer. In the U.S. specialty channel, the $200 shoe gained a full point of market share during launch week due to strong adoption by the channel and runners. Brooks' Hyperion speed franchise also performed well in all regions with strong adoption amongst competitive runners. In China specifically, where elite runners are highly influential to the broader market, Brooks' speed styles grew 41% year over year driven by the Hyperion Elite up 37% and Hyperion Max more than doubling, up 103%. Brooks brand engages new audiences around the world IRL and digitally In 2024, Brooks launched global brand platform "Let's Run There," building on its purpose to inspire people to run their path. The platform evolution reflects consumers' shifting relationships with running and celebrates a multi-dimensional view of health and wellness. In Q4, Brooks' "Let's Run There" video and partnership featuring actor Jeremy Renner won two Gold and two Silver Clio Awards, highly coveted recognition within the advertising space. The campaign also earned recognition in Fast Company's "2024 Brands That Matter Awards" honoring brands that most effectively and authentically connect with their target consumers. Fresh partnerships also landed the Brooks brand in front of new audiences in 2024. Brooks launched a collaboration with Extra Butter, the go-to streetwear destination in New York City's Lower East Side, featuring exclusive designs of the Brooks Cascadia 18 sneakers, and in Seattle where the brand is headquartered, Brooks became the Official Off-Ice Performance Partner of the National Hockey League's Seattle Kraken. In Q4, runDisney announced a multi-year sponsorship naming Brooks the official running shoe of its popular race series. In the digital space, Brooks Run Club, the brand's loyalty program, surpassed 1 million members in North America in 2024 and in Q4 extended to the EMEA region with a launch in the U.K. Brooks plans to expand the program to other countries in 2025, starting in Q1. On Strava, Brooks Running Clubs in the U.S. and Europe grew 165% and 346%, respectively, year over year ending August.5 Brooks invests in the sport, supporting elite athletes and the broader run community Brooks' commitment to the sport fueled major victories for both the brand and its team of athletes in 2024. In August, Brooks Beast Josh Kerr earned an Olympic silver medal in the men's 1500m followed by a win at the 5th Avenue Mile in New York City, breaking a 43-year-old course record. Brooks athlete Michael Roeger also earned silver in Paris this summer in the men's 1500m in the T46 category. In April, Brooks Beasts Brannon Kidder, Brandon Miller, Isaiah Harris, and Henry Wynne set a new world record in the distance medley relay at the Oregon Relays in Eugene. In 2024, Brooks invested more than $6 million in community impact programs supporting more than 800,000 runners globally. These efforts included $4 million in gear and funds to community partners like the global community running organization parkrun, as well as $2 million to young runners in the U.S. through Brooks' Future Run program, which aims to expand youth access to the sport. About Brooks Running Brooks Running creates market-leading performance running footwear, apparel, sports bras, and accessories distributed worldwide. Brooks exists to inspire everyone to run and be active, through innovative gear, tools, and experiences designed to take you to the place that makes you feel more alive. Since 1914, Brooks has been propelled by a never-ending curiosity with how humans move, pushing the limits of motion science, engineering, and technology to create gear that unlocks the power of energy and movement for everyone. Brooks is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Visit for more information or follow @brooksrunning. ___________________________1Source: Circana, Retail Tracking Service, France, Germany, Adult Running Footwear, Value Sales, January – December 20242Source: Circana, Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Adult Running Footwear, Dollar Sales Adjusted, January 2022 – December 20243Source: 2024 RunSignUp Year in Review4Source: Strava's Year In Sport: Trend Report – 20255Source: Strava View source version on Contacts Christine CarterCorporate PR Sign in to access your portfolio
