Brooks Running Races Through 2015 Reporting Continued Growth With Runners

January 7, 2016 | By Business Wire News

SEATTLE

With a clear focus on being the No. 1 choice for runners worldwide, Brooks Running Company is doubling down on its commitment to win with runners. In 2016, the company will build on its position as the leader in run with best-in-class footwear and apparel and the launch of Stride Signature, the company’s innovative new approach to creating and fitting product based on biomechanics and the experiences runners want. Brooks continues to remain at the forefront of the sport, reporting another year of continued growth with runners.

Despite headwinds within the performance running market, Brooks brought new runners to the brand in 2015. According to NPD, across all channels for specialty running account (SRA) and athletic specialty and sporting goods (ASSG) stores, non-sports-lifestyle performance running footwear is down eight percent in retail dollars but Brooks Running maintained its No. 1 market share position at SRAs nationwide with 28% running footwear retail dollar share and 68% sports bra retail dollar share for the last 12 months ending November 2015.

In 2015, total revenue for Brooks was driven by a five percent increase in global footwear units sold, which included a five percent increase in North America, a three percent increase in EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), and an eight percent increase in APLA (Asia Pacific and Latin America) footwear units sold year-over-year.

Brooks also received awards from industry experts across the globe, including:

Editor’s Choice award from Runner’s World for the Ghost 8
International Best Update from Runner’s World for the Glycerin 13
International Best Buy from Runner’s World for the Launch 2
Gear of the Year from Outside Magazine for the Launch 2
Best Update from Runner’s World for the Cascadia 10
Best Sneaker from Fitness magazine for the PureConnect 4 and Launch 2
2015 Vendor of the Year award from the Independent Running Retailers Association (IRRA) for the fourth year in a row.
Nominated for 2015 Vendor of the Year award from REI

“We believe a run can flat out change a day, a life, the world, and we are committed to bringing more runners into our brand and this sport,” said Jim Weber, CEO, Brooks Running Company. “As we launch into 2016, Brooks is perfectly positioned to lead the run with our best-in-class product, industry-leading Stride Signature initiative, and our ongoing support of runners.”

Also announced today, Weber signed the Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC) CEO Pledge to advance women’s leadership in the run, cycle, outdoor and snow industries. By signing the OIWC CEO Pledge, Brooks is joining a community of leaders committed to attracting, retaining, and elevating talented women with a similar passion for an active lifestyle. All leaders at Brooks will be encouraged to live the pledge by creating an environment where all team members, particularly women, are given opportunities to develop their skills and talents, ultimately driving greater engagement for employees and success for the company.

In 2016, Weber will help drive industry initiatives as a newly elected member of the OIWC and Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) boards of directors. He will contribute his business expertise and passion for the run to both organizations, which are known for inspiring others to live active lives through running, sport and fitness pursuits.

About Brooks Running Company

Brooks Running Company sells its performance footwear, apparel, sports bras and accessories in more than 50 countries worldwide. Brooks’ purpose is to inspire everyone to run and be active by creating innovative gear designed to keep runners running longer, farther and faster. This purpose is supported by Brooks’ Run Happy philosophy, a quest to celebrate and champion the sport of running and all runners everywhere. Founded 1914, Brooks is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and is headquartered in Seattle. Visit www.brooksrunning.com for more information or follow us on Twitter (@brooksrunning) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/brooksrunning).