EXEC: Columbia Using Temp Stores to Offload Excess Goods as it Fights to Right-Size
While the company is focused on improving the Columbia, Sorel and Prana businesses through investments in innovation and marketing, the company only has to look as far as its Mountain Hardwear brand and new leadership and direction to see early results of similar efforts.
EXEC: Mips Continues to Turn the Business Around in Q1 After Tough 2023
For the consecutive second quarter, Mips delivered growth in the Bike sub-category and has seen inventory levels of helmets with consumers and retailers returning to healthier levels.
EXEC: Ahead, Craft, Cutter & Buck Parent Sees Sales Decline Cut into Bottom Line
The Swedish-based owner of Ahead, Auclair, Craft, Cutter & Buck, and Tenson reported that first-quarter net sales decreased 7 percent to SEK 1.995 billion. Regionally, Central Europe, followed by the U.S., performed best in sales volume.
EXEC: Osprey and Hydro Flask Both Expanding Product Ranges and Distribution
Osprey should strengthen internationally with growth in the EMEA and APAC on demand for travel packs, while the U.S. will expand in sporting goods. For Hydro Flask, it’s all about color and configuration in the U.S. while expanding in tge EMEA through Osprey’s distribution footprint.
EXEC: Johnson Health Tech Retail Finalizes Bowflex Acquistion
Johnson Health Tech Retail intends to fold the existing BowFlex and Schwinn operations into its North American sporting goods/e-commerce group. The company reported that BowFlex will complement its team with experts from the BowFlex organization.
EXEC: Shimano Q1 Sales Down 20 Percent on Continued Bikes and Fishing Weakness
In this current macroeconomic environment, the company said demand for bikes and fishing tackle continued to be weak, and for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, net sales decreased 20.2 percent year-over-year to ¥100.5 billion.
Agilitas Sports Inks Lotto Brand License for India, Australia and South Africa
Agilitas Sports secured the rights to design, manufacture, promote, and distribute the Lotto brand in India, Australia and soon in South Africa.
Report: 17 Million Canadians Consider Themselves Fans of Women’s Sport
The first Canadian study highlights unique attributes of Canadian fans of women’s sport and the value fandom represents for sport business.
EXEC: Nike, Inc. Outlines Two-Phase Plan to Cut 740 Positions at Beaverton HQ
In a new WARN notice filing, Nike. Inc. said that a total of 740 positions would be permanently eliminated at the company’s Beaverton World Headquarters across two phases of layoffs, including the first phase in February of this year.
EXEC: Gildan Changes Up Board Structure, Offers Board Slate for May Vote
The new Board is expected to guide the company’s next phase of growth under the leadership of current President and CEO Vince Tyra and ensure the previously announced sale process is conducted in a manner that will benefit all shareholders of Gildan.
EXEC: Vista Outdoor Re-Engages with MNC Capital on Potential Buy-Out Interest
Given that the current deal with CSG has raised more than a few eyebrows in the U.S. Congress from those that see an issue with selling an American ammo maker to a foreign entity, it sounds like Vista may see it as more prudent to keep all options open.
EXEC: Sports Footwear Shipments Fuel Growth, Cut ASPs for Stella Int’l in Q1
Shipment volumes for the first quarter increased by approximately 21.9 percent year-over-year to 11.7 million pairs. Again the percentage increase in pairage shipped accelerated from the 2023 Q4 trend, nearly doubling the 10.9 increase in Q4.
EXEC: Saucony, Merrell and K-Swiss China Retail Partner Sees Slower Q1 Growth
Xtep International had 110 Saucony-brand stores and four Merrell-brand stores operational in Mainland China at the end of 2023. The company boasted 101 K-Swiss stores in the Asia Pacific region at the end of the year, with 94 Palladium brand stores to end 2023.
EXEC: Anta Sports Sees Fila Brand Q1 Retail Sales Trend Moderating from 2023
Retail sales, in retail value, for the Fila brand increased in high single digits year-over-year in the first quarter, a sharp moderation from the strong double-digit in the 2023 fourth quarter and the high-teens trend for the 2023 full year.
StockX: Fakes Were 19 Percent of Rejected Sneakers Over Last 12 Months
In 2023 the company rejected over 325,000 products, collectively valued at over $82 million, because they did not meet StockX’s verification standards, with 19 percent of that total tagged as suspected fakes. Used products totaled 29 percent of rejects.
