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Styled Athletics | playR’s Game-Changing Gymwear Launch: What Marketers Can Learn

Plus, Cole Haan is entering the performance market through golfwear.

Welcome to Styled Athletics, your essential newsletter for marketers and eCommerce professionals in the athleisure industry.

New Research 🧐

Google's YouTube and Demand Gen are soaring as the fastest-growing Google Ad channels year-over-year. Why are brands betting big on them in 2025?

Fospha's analysis of over $500M in ad spend across hundreds of brands reveals why. From accelerated revenue growth, to boosted Amazon sales and higher AOV - brands going full-funnel in Google are winning big.

For the full research and a step-by-step guide to maximizing these channels, download the free resource now!

Sector Spotlight 🎥

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Nike’s return to direct U.S. sales on Amazon signals a renewed push to optimize digital channels amid falling year-over-year revenue, offering marketers actionable insights on omnichannel strategies and brand control.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Cole Haan partners exclusively with Catapult Group to launch a global performance apparel division debuting golf apparel in Spring 2026, targeting active professionals. This move expands Cole Haan's performance footprint, strategically reinforcing its nearly century-old brand with versatile offerings that transition seamlessly from office to sport. Marketing professionals should note the opportunity to engage new consumer segments in the growing active lifestyle category.

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Old Navy’s new activewear campaign features high-profile personalities like Lindsay Lohan and leverages multi-channel advertising after gaining activewear market share in 2024. The StudioSmooth and Protrain collections target consumer demand for high-performance, affordable athletic wear, underscoring Old Navy’s increased category investment and competitive focus. Marketers should note Old Navy’s data-driven campaign timing, celebrity partnerships, and product differentiation as drivers of renewed brand relevance.

FITNESS APPAREL INNOVATION

passionateinmarketing.com

playR’s latest Gym Wear collection leverages advanced fabric technology, performance-focused design, and versatile style to address athletes’ evolving needs, offering functional differentiation in the competitive activewear market. This launch positions playR as a key player for marketers to watch, with relevance stemming from its direct alignment with consumer demand for breathable, durable, and stylish fitness apparel. For marketing professionals, playR’s approach demonstrates effective product positioning and trend alignment, presenting clear case-study value in sportswear branding.

Still at The Lead Summit? Don’t miss this 👇

The Lead Summit is underway—and our exclusive drinks reception is happening tomorrow.

We’re bringing together some of the smartest minds in commerce for one evening of sharp conversation and good wine in NYC’s FiDi district.

⏱ Thursday, 29 May | 4:30 PM (evening of Day 2)
📍 Wine Bar just 15 mins walk from TLS conference venue – exact location shared upon RSVP Confirmation

Have a look at some of the brands that joined us before:

Influencer Corner 📣

Performance Pulse 📈

AI-DRIVEN SHOPPING INNOVATION

Amazon’s rollout of AI-powered audio summaries on select product pages signals a new, data-driven approach to product discovery, leveraging synthesized customer reviews and web content. Marketers should note increasing consumer reliance on AI-derived insights, which underscores the importance of robust, positive eCommerce content and high-quality reviews.

ECOMMERCE OPTIMIZATION

Shopify Live View provides real-time analytics—including visitor counts, sales trends, and geolocation data—that enable marketers to optimize promotional strategies, inventory management, and staffing based on customer behavior. Its accessible dashboard integrates seamlessly for small businesses, while actionable insights help drive higher conversion rates and operational efficiency in a fast-paced eCommerce environment.

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