EXEC: Analysts Gaining Confidence in Adidas’ Turnaround
While some still see an uphill battle for Adidas to regain share in the competitive landscape, the majority of analysts covering the stock were encouraged by the progress the company made in the second quarter toward a turnaround, including building momentum in its underlying business on the back of the “terrace” trend.
Rally House Opens Seven Stores in Record-Breaking Weekend
Rally House opened seven stores in five states over the weekend, marking the first time in the retailer’s history to open that number of doors in one weekend.
NRF Launches Center for Digital Risk and Innovation
The Center is expected to serve as the focal point for NRF’s engagement on technology issues that have significant policy and risk management implications for the global retail industry.
BRC: British Retail Foot Traffic Recovers as Outlets Fuel Growth
The data shows that much of the footfall recovery in July was shored up by strong performance in outlet retail, as shoppers turn to discount formats to make spend go further.
EXEC: Solo Brands Sees Big Pay-Off at Retail as Q2 Wholesale Jumps
For a company identified by the symbol “DTC” on the NYSE, the conversation for the quarter was interesting as the growth in the wholesale business overshadowed, but did not offset, the decline in its direct-to-consumer business.
EXEC: Titleist Parent Sees Continued Benefit from Golf’s Pandemic Boost
Acushnet Holdings Corp.’s second-quarter results topped analyst estimates as the momentum in Titleist golf balls and golf clubs offset weakness at FootJoy. David Maher, president and CEO, told analysts, “Supporting the company’s first half results, we are enthused by the golf industry’s overall health and stability with participation remaining vibrant even as golfers return to many pre-COVID activities.”
Pentland Brands Simplifying Business Structure; Cutting 90 Jobs
Pentland Brands reported it initiated a new program to “simplify the way its business is organized” to focus on product, digital, consumer data, and analytics; however, it means laying off 90 employees. The second quarter of fiscal 2023 was $400.7 million, a decrease of 1.5 percent, compared to net sales of $406.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
EXEC: L.L.Bean Expands Wholesale to Dillard’s, Moosejaw and Select Independents
L.L.Bean is adding Dillard’s and Moosejaw to its roster of U.S. wholesale key accounts, as well as ten independent specialty retailers in the southeastern U.S. The Maine-based retailer also plans to open four stores, with two in Quebec.
Truewerk Hires Prana Vet as Chief Financial Officer
Truewerk, the direct-to-consumer performance workwear brand, hired Michael Pogue as chief financial officer. Pogue spent eleven years working for Prana and eight years with Guess?, Inc.
EXEC: Nike Declares Dividend; 22 Percent of Proceeds Go to Knight Family, Foundation
The Nike, Inc. Board of Directors, which is 75 percent controlled by the Knight family, has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 34 cents per share on the company’s outstanding Class A and Class B Common Stock.
Newell Brands Debt Ratings Downgraded
S&P Global Ratings lowered its debt ratings on Newell Brands, Inc. due to its expectations that the company’s debt leverage would remain higher for longer after a weak first half of 2023 and finish the year at well over 5.5x.
REI Co-op to Open Store in Beaverton, OR
REI Co-op reported it plans to open a store in Beaverton, OR in spring 2024. As the anchor tenant at Walker Center, the store’s footprint will be 39,512 square feet at 2780 SW Cedar Hills Boulevard.
Nike Partners with USA Gymnastics
For the first time, Nike will serve as the official apparel and footwear partner of USA Gymnastics and the USA Gymnastics National Team.
Delta Apparel Logs Q3 Loss As Sales Decline Double-Digits
Delta Apparel Inc. posted a loss in the fiscal third quarter ended July 1 due to efforts to reduce production levels to rebalance inventories in the marketplace as well as from inflationary pressures on cotton. Delta said the inventory and inflationary pressures are receding.
EXEC: Adidas Sees North America Struggles Continue
Adidas’ second quarter results included several encouraging signs, including securing an incremental profit of €150 million ($164 mm) from the first drop of leftover Yeezy, significantly improved margins due to better sell-throughs and less discounting, and a return to double-digit growth in China. However, the laggard continues to be North America, where sales on a currency-neutral basis tumbled 16.4 percent in the period.
