SGB Executive Outdoor
EXEC: OIA President Kent Ebersole Talks About Community
Kent Ebersole, president of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), spoke with SGB Executive about the organization’s mission-driven focus, the challenges facing the outdoor industry beyond tariffs and revitalizing a national industry tradeshow.
EXEC: DOJ Reviewing Eligibility of $5.4M in PPP Loans at New Age Group’s U.S. Subsidiary
The news came as the parent of Ahead, Craft, Cutter & Buck and Tenson reported its Sports & Leisure segment’s revenues amounted 5.1 percent y/y to ~$91 million in Q2 2025. Craft was said to be the primary driver of global sales growth, while Tenson also showed comparatively strong growth.
EXEC: Birkenstock Posts Solid DD Growth in Fiscal Q3 Period; EPS Jumps 75 Percent
The company reported fiscal third quarter revenue of €635 million, a 12 percent increase year-over-year on a reported basis and up 16 percent in constant-currency terms. Closed-toe shoes continue to outpace the growth of sandals, contributing to the higher ASP.
EXEC: Ombraz Sunglass Brand Exits Asia; Now 100-Percent Italy Sourced, Produced and Shipped
The company is reporting that it has relocated 100-percent of the manufacturing of its armless sunglasses from Asia to a family-owned workshop in Northern Italy, five miles from its Italian Zeiss lens facility.
EXEC: Giant’s DD Monthly Revenue Decline Trend Worsens Further in July 2025
The company may be able to take some solace in the fact the July 2025 cycled against a 16.6 percent increase in revenue in the July 2024 period, the first month this year that had to anniversary against a prior-year increase.
EXEC: UK’s SportsShoes.com Delivers 4 Percent Annual Growth
The UK-based company reported sales rose 4 percent to a record £93.3 million ($126 mm) in its fiscal year ended February 28 while EBITDA advanced 13.3 percent year-on-year to £6 million.
EXEC: Salomon Turns Heads and Makes Friends with New Concept Store on Shanghai’s Anfu Road
The company said the new location integrates Salomon’s French heritage and pioneering retail space with the local community, marking an upgrade of its retail experience in China. One retail advisor in attendance called the positioning and execution “a masterclass in brand evolution.”
EXEC: Yue Yuen Sees H1 Growth in Athletic & Outdoor FW Slow as Casual & Sandals Jump
Yue Yuen said it remains committed to its mid- to long-term capacity allocation strategy. This includes diversifying its manufacturing capacity into regions such as Indonesia and India where labor supply and infrastructure are supportive of sustainable growth
EXEC: Giant Group Q2 Revenues Fall Over 25 Percent as U.S. Market Softens Further
In the U.S., second-quarter consumer demand reportedly softened due to tariff policies and macroeconomic challenges. Europe showed signs of moderate recovery, with mixed performance across regions.
EXEC: Merrell Brand Looks to Modernize the Trail, Execs Tout Q2 Wins
In trail running, CEO Chris Hufnagel said the Agility Peak 5 franchise was up double digits at U.S. retail, and the brand launched the new ProMorph, an all-terrain hybrid runner. He said Merrell’s continued progress in modernizing the trail helped strengthen its ability to advance in lifestyle as well.
EXEC: Shimano North America Agrees to Settlement in 2023 Crank Set Class Action Suit
Plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, claiming damages from separation issues with some bonded 11-speed Hollowtech II road cranksets manufactured before 2019.
EXEC: Yeti Ups FY GM and Profit Guide; C-Suite Talk Drag from U.S. Drinkware Challenges
Yeti now expects Adjusted earnings per diluted share of between $2.34 and $2.48 [for the year] as compared to $1.96 to $2.02 in the company’s prior outlook. Full year sales to be flat to up 2 percent, compared to fiscal 2024 Adjusted net sales, due to weakness in the U.S. Drinkware business.
EXEC: Havaianas Parent Sees Profits Soar on 8 Percent Sales Growth in Q2
Brazil-based Alpargatas reported sales grew 8.3 percent in the second quarter to Brazil Real $1.1 billion ($203 mm), boosted by strong double-digit gains in Europe and the U.S. and an improved channel and product mix in Brazil. Earnings improved significantly, with the year-ago quarter impacted by inventory write-offs.
EXEC: Canada’s SportChek Sees Q2 Comps Climb 4 Percent
Canadian Tire reported its SportChek segment delivered its fourth consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth, up 3.9 percent, driven by sales of sandals and athletic footwear as well as hardgoods categories, such as golf. Hockey, and other team sports, as well as athletic clothing also contributed to the gains.
EXEC: Crocs Inc. CEO Sees Consumer Shift to Athletic a Major Headwind; Cuts Loom
CEO Andrew Rees focused on key headwinds ahead, notably a consumer shift to athletic footwear and the company’s pull back in discounting in the U.S. market. That pull back is also seen as a tailwind for gross margin, and ultimately EBIT.
