SGB Update

Lululemon Founder Criticizes Retailer’s Succession Planning Steps

Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon and one of the company’s largest shareholders, in a press release again called for strategic changes at the retailer and criticized Lululemon’s board’s succession planning process following the announcement that CEO Calvin McDonald will step down at the close of the current fiscal year.

Johnson Outdoors Sees 28 Percent Sales Gain in Fiscal Q4, Flat Growth for Year

Johnson Outdoors, Inc. reported sales grew 28.2 percent in its fiscal fourth quarter ended October 3 with robust increases in its Fishing and Diving segments offsetting double-digit declines in its Camping & Watercraft Recreation segment. Sales were flat for the full fiscal year. Losses shrank in both periods due to improving gross margin and expense reductions.

Costco’s Fiscal Q1 Profits Climb 11 Percent

Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net profits grew 11.3 percent in its fiscal first quarter ended November 23, topping Wall Street targets. Sales increased 8.2 percent, to $65.98 billion.

Lululemon Shuffling Seats in the C-Suite as CEO Plans Departure

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. announced that Calvin McDonald plans to step down as CEO and member of the company’s Board of Directors, effective January 31, 2026.  The announcement comes as the retailer raised its full-year outlook after reporting third-quarter results that topped guidance, although comps in the Americas fell 5 percent, worsening from the 4 percent decline seen in the second quarter.

SGB Executive

EXEC: Lululemon Shares Jump as Management Details Strategy to Revive U.S. Growth

While the news of the day was CEO Calvin McDonald’s pending departure at the close of the current fiscal year, Lululemon’s management team on the company’s third quarter analyst call detailed a comprehensive action plan backed by three pillars — Product Creation, Product Activation and Enterprise Efficiency — to revive growth in the U.S. marketplace.

Report: Golden Goose on Brink of Sale

Private investment firm HSG, formerly Sequoia Capital China, is in advanced talks to acquire Italian luxury sneaker brand Golden Goose in a transaction that could value the company at over €2.5 billion ($2.9bn), according to reports.

EXEC: AlixPartners Sees Frugality Reigning in 2026

AlixPartners’ annual consumer outlook, study, based on a survey of over 13,000 consumers across nine countries, forecasts a sharp, accelerating pullback in global spending intentions in 2026, with the retrenchment highlighted by high-income consumers and China.

EXEC: Top Asia Footwear Factories Continue Declines in November

Feng Tay Enterprises, one of the longest-tenured producers of Nike footwear, saw Manufacturing revenues decline 11.8 percent year-over-year in November, while Outdoor and athletic footwear maker Yue Yuen factory output declined 2.4 percent y/y for the month.