SGB Executive Q&A: Helly Hansen CEO Discusses Sale To Canadian Tire

Helly Hansen is being sold to Canadian Tire Corp. for about $771 million in a deal announced early Thursday, but don’t look for sweeping changes at the iconic Norwegian outdoor brand. Helly Hansen CEO Paul Stoneham (pictured, pointing) spoke with SGB about what’s in store for the company moving forward.

Wolverine’s ‘Consumer Obsession’ Kicks Into High Gear

Wolverine Worldwide Inc.’s first-quarter performance not only beat analysts’ expectations on both revenue and income, but it prompted the company to raise full-year earnings guidance as the next phase of an ambitious, multimillion-dollar global growth agenda kicks in.

Crocs’ Branding Campaign Paying Dividends

Crocs Inc.’s “Come As You Are” branding campaign is paying off for the company in measurable and impressive ways. Crocs reported first-quarter earnings of $12.5 million, up 73.6 percent, as sales of $283.1 million improved 5.7 percent while operating expenses declined.

Ammunition, Apparel Carry Clarus To Robust Q1

Even though Clarus Corp. missed analysts’ estimates on income in the first quarter, the parent company of Black Diamond, Sierra Bullets and Pieps exceeded revenue expectations behind the strength in ammunition and apparel.

Vans ‘Nothing Short Of Outstanding’ in Q1

Vans delivered another record quarter for VF Corp., which rode the footwear brand and the rest of its portfolio to an outstanding first quarter. VF reported earnings of $252.8 million, or 65 cents per share, for the quarter ended March 31, up 20.9 percent from the same quarter a year ago.

GoPro Ramps Up Marketing Spend

First-quarter success in international markets without the benefit of sustained marketing support has GoPro Inc. bullish on sales prospects in those regions, and really everywhere the company’s products are sold.

Ellett Brothers To Buy AcuSport In Asset Sale

The assets of AcuSport, a Bellefontaine, OH-based distributor of shooting and hunting products that filed Tuesday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, will be acquired by Ellett Brothers LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Sporting Cos., the parties have announced.

April M&A Roundup: What’s In Store For Volcom?

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.

Thule Overcomes Softness In U.S. Market With Upbeat Q1

Thule Group AB’s strength in Europe and the rest of the world helped overcame softness in the Americas, as the company saw first-quarter revenue improve 5.6 percent (5.5 percent with currency adjustment) to SEK 1.6 billion and net income jump 11.9 percent to SEK 220 million.