The Running Specialty Group (RSG), an operating segment of The Finish
Line, Inc. (NASDAQ: FINL), announced today a strategic agreement with
PEAR Sports, a mobile fitness and training content platform, for the
launch of its RSG
training channel, available now at run.com.
This innovative collaboration brings to the market the first-ever
interactive training platform and tracking tool which will integrate
with and further enhance RSG’s industry-leading store based training
programs nationwide while continuously evolving the running experience
for its dedicated and passionate customer base.
“We strive to keep moving forward by reimagining the way our customers
interact with the retail store experience, focusing on the intersection
between technology and fitness and how this can directly impact each
individual engaged in an active lifestyle,” said Bill Kirkendall,
Running Specialty Group president. “Supported by the technology
developed by PEAR Sports, this strategy moves toward a dynamic and
personalized space that will allow our customers to better track their
goals to ensure they train smarter and achieve their desired results.”
Through the agreement, the specialty retailer will have an RSG channel
powered by PEAR Sports, hosted within its training
app. The RSG channel will consist of downloadable training content
and fitness programs that deliver interactive and personalized audio
coaching in real-time, along with robust results tracking tools so users
can meet individual fitness and performance goals. In support of this
agreement, RSG’s parent company, Finish Line, has made a strategic
investment in PEAR Sports.
“Together with PEAR Sports, we’ll offer a tremendous resource to the
running specialty community that keeps us on the forefront of delivering
premium products and services that support the active lifestyle of our
customers,” added Kirkendall.
When combined with PEAR’s Mobile Training Kit, runners will gain access
to personalized training, fitness level progress, heart rate
performance, calorie consumption, route maps, pace performance,
historical results and more – all through their personal account. In the
following months RSG will have in-store displays showcasing the channel
for customers to interact with the new technology in a demo environment.
“We’re thrilled to offer PEAR to the RSG community through our specialty
app,” states Christian Schauf, vice president of sales and marketing for
PEAR Sports. “Our platform allows RSG – who already provides the best
products, services and programs to the running community – to expand
their relationship to world-class coaches and cross fitness training
through a digital platform for 24/7 engagement.”
About Running Specialty Group
The Running Specialty Group (RSG) is an operating segment of The Finish
Line, Inc. (NASDAQ: FINL). This includes 76 specialty running stores in
17 states and the District of Columbia under The Running Company, Run
On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Roncker’s Running Spot, Running
Fit, VA Runner, Capital RunWalk, Richmond RoadRunner, Garry Gribble’s
Running Sports, Run Colorado, Raleigh Running Outfitters, Striders,
Indiana Running Company and JackRabbit Sports banners. More information
is available at www.run.com
or www.boulderrunningcompany.com.
Follow RSG on Twitter at twitter.com/Run_Dot_Com
and “like” RSG on Facebook at facebook.com/Run.com.
About PEAR Sports
With a vision to make the latest in training science accessible, PEAR
Sports introduces an intuitive technology that guides users through
every step of their fitness journey. With over 500 unique workout
programs, users can experience interactive audio workouts, personalized
trainings and have access to some of the world’s most talented athletes
and fitness experts. By handling all the measurements and data for the
user, PEAR keeps the user focused on the goal. The interactive software
empowers users to train smarter for better, faster results. Visit: www.pearsports.com
| @pearsports
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes statements that are or may be considered
“forward-looking” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use
of words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “future,” “anticipate,”
“intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “estimates,”
“outlook,” “potential,” “optimistic,” “confidence,” “continue,”
“evolve,” “expand,” “growth” or words and phrases of similar meaning.
Statements that describe objectives, plans or goals also are
forward-looking statements.
All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, management
assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking
statements. The principal risk factors that could cause actual
performance and future actions to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
company’s reliance on a few key vendors for a majority of its
merchandise purchases (including a significant portion from one key
vendor); the availability and timely receipt of products; the ability to
timely fulfill and ship products to customers; fluctuations in oil
prices causing changes in gasoline and energy prices, resulting in
changes in consumer spending as well as increases in utility, freight
and product costs; product demand and market acceptance risks;
deterioration of macro-economic and business conditions; the inability
to locate and obtain or retain acceptable lease terms for the company’s
stores; the effect of competitive products and pricing; loss of key
employees; execution of strategic growth initiatives (including actual
and potential mergers and acquisitions and other components of the
company’s capital allocation strategy); cybersecurity risks, including
breach of customer data; and the other risks detailed in the company’s
Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Readers are urged to
consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are made only
as of the date of this report and Finish Line undertakes no obligation
to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect
subsequent events or circumstances.
Copyright Business Wire 2015