By Eric Smith
April was relatively quiet with fewer notable deals in the sporting goods, outdoor and lifestyle brand verticals, but some large companies such as Columbia and Nike acquired growth, while some brands such as Volcom were put on the market.
In case you missed SGB’s coverage of M&A activity from last month, here’s a recap of noteworthy deals.
Volcom Hits The Selling Block
The 411 – Volcom’s parent company, Kering, said it plans to sell the action sports brand, to focus purely on luxury goods. “… Volcom no longer constitutes a core asset and Kering has initiated a disposal process,” the group said in a statement. Kering acquired Volcom, which sells skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing apparel, for $608 million in 2011.
Reaction – “So, where does that leave us? In the long run, potentially with a Volcom that embodies a little more youth and a little less establishment.
–Stab Magazine, The Kering Group Is Looking To Set Volcom Free
What’s next? – This is just one of a few portfolio adjustments Kering is making in 2018. The company announced in January plans to spin off Puma. The company also announced plans to sell its 50 percent stake in Stella McCartney back to the U.K. designer.
Columbia Sportswear To Acquire Remaining Interest In China Joint Venture
The 411 – Columbia Sportswear Co. plans to acquire the remaining 40 percent interest in Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai) Co., the joint venture that the company currently operates in China with Swire Resources Limited, a subsidiary of Swire Pacific Limited.
Reaction – “We are very pleased with the performance of our joint venture since 2014. We have positioned the Columbia brand for long-term sustained growth in the crucial Chinese market. The acquisition is consistent with our strategy to accelerate investment as a brand-led, consumer-first business in the areas of highest growth potential for our existing brands.”
–Tim Boyle, president and CEO, Columbia
What’s next? – The joint venture’s 2017 sales in China totaled $168 million, generating low-teens operating margin. Sales are on pace to achieve high single-digit growth in 2018. Future plans include continued investments in building the Columbia brand in China, as well as expansion of direct and dealer-operated retail locations. The company also intends to maintain the existing management team, staff, dealers and distribution networks that have helped the Columbia brand flourish in China.
Nike Acquires Israeli Computer Company
The 411 – Nike Inc. acquired Invertex Ltd., an Israeli fashion-tech company providing scan-to-fit shopping platforms powered by 3D and deep-learning, to strengthen the company’s digital technology and talent as part of Nike’s Consumer Direct Offense. Terms were not disclosed.
Reaction – “Nike’s connection to and understanding of their consumer is unsurpassed, and we look forward to joining their team to help drive the Consumer Direct Offense.”
–David Bleicher, CEO, Invertex
What’s next? – As SGB wrote in a follow-up piece on the deal, Nike Continues Tech-Buying Binge, the acquisition promises to move Nike further down the road of being able to offer more personalization and customization to consumers and also helps resolve the complexities of finding the correct shoe size online.
Camping World Acquires Rock/Creek Outfitters
The 411 – Camping World acquired Rock/Creek Outfitters, based in Chattanooga, TN. Rock/Creek will become part of Uncle Dan’s Outfitters, a subsidiary of Camping World Holdings Inc. that was acquired in 2017. Uncle Dan’s is based in Chicago. Rock/Creek operates six stores in Chattanooga, Franklin and Cleveland, TN, and a seasonal outpost near Benton, TN.
Reaction – “By bringing our like-minded businesses together, we’ll find efficiencies in merchandising and back-end infrastructure, so we can focus more fully on serving our existing customers and reaching new markets. Ultimately, this transaction will help us successfully compete with corporate America’s major industry players, while maintaining our small business values and family feel.”
– Colin Moynihan, general manager, Uncle Dan’s and Erehwon
What’s next? – Rock/Creek’s co-owners, Chad Wykle and Jonathan Scott, will remain with the company. The two long-time employees acquired Rock/Creek from its founders, Dawson Wheeler and Marvin Webb, in 2017. Based on Camping World’s acquisitive streak, look for the company to remain active with more retail deals such as this one and Erehwon Mountain Outfitter, which Camping World acquired earlier this year.
Other deals from last month
Here are other notable deals that occurred in April (click the headline to read the full story on each):
Amer Sports Acquires Peak Performance
Implus Acquires Winter Traction Brand Stabil
Boardriders Completes Billabong Acquisition
Boot Barn Acquires Three-Store Boot Chain In Texas
SurfStitch Acquired By Alceon Group
Mainstream Holdings Buys Hawk Group
Unifi To Acquire National Spinning’s Dyed Yarn Unit
Camping World To Acquire Cullum & Maxey Camping Center
VF Corp. Completes Acquisition Of Icebreaker
Bon-Ton Stores Inc. In Discussions With Going-Concern Bidder
Look for more analysis on some of the market-shifting deals in future editions of SGB Executive.
Photo courtesy Volcom
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://s.gravatar.com/avatar/dec6c8d990a5a173d9ae43e334e44145?s=80[/author_image] [author_info]Eric Smith is Senior Business Editor at SGB Media. Reach him at eric@sgbonline.com or 303-578-7008. Follow on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn.[/author_info] [/author]
