High-teen sales growth from footwear brand Merrell was the clear standout found in Wolverine World Wide Inc.’s solid second quarter ended June 30. Merrell, which Wolverine has owned since 1997, was the first beneficiary of the parent company’s “global growth agenda.”
Author: SGB Media

Gaiam, And1 & Avia Boost Sequential Brands Group’s Q2
Sequential Brands Group Inc.’s active brands of Gaiam, And1 and Avia again drove growth for the parent company in the second quarter, and their performance in brick-and-mortar stores highlighted not only growing market share but resiliency in the channel.

Crocs Shares Slide Amid CFO Departure
Crocs Inc.’s otherwise solid second-quarter earnings report was dampened by the announcement that CFO Carrie Teffner will resign next April. The news broke before the market opened Tuesday, and while trading was up early in the day, shares of the Niwot, CO-based footwear maker had dipped nearly 3 percent at market close.

Black Diamond’s Global Brand Momentum Fuels Clarus In Q2
The growing strength of the Black Diamond Equipment brand around the world was a primary driver behind the solid second quarter that Salt Lake City, UT-based parent company Clarus Corp. reported on Monday.

SGB Executive Q&A: Velocity Outdoor CEO Bob Beckwith
A new chapter is underway at Crosman Corp.—now known as Velocity Outdoor—the holding company of such well-known sportsman’s brands as Crosman, Benjamin, CenterPoint Archery, CenterPoint Optics, LaserMax and Game Face Airsoft. CEO Bob Beckwith spoke with SGB about the rebrand.

Tariffs Only Creating Indirect Headwind For Sturm Ruger
Although Sturm, Ruger & Company Inc. sources steel domestically, meaning the new tariffs on Chinese products aren’t directly impacting the gun manufacturer, the rising demand for U.S. steel is causing some indirect headwinds for the company.

GoPro Weathering Global Component Shortage
A global shortage of the passive components that GoPro Inc. integrates into the company’s action cameras has created a significant supply chain challenge, yet the company remains confident in being able to weather the disruption and meet increased product demand beginning in the first quarter of 2019.

Gildan Activewear Adeptly Navigates Q2 Supply Chain Disruption
Labor strikes and political unrest have hindered the movement of goods across and out of Nicaragua, where Gildan Activewear operates three of the company’s 13 sewing facilities, but not even these disruptions could dampen the apparel manufacturer’s second quarter.

Fitbit CEO: Versa Gives Retailers ‘Counterbalance To Apple’
For the second consecutive quarter, Fitbit Inc.’s Versa delivered a significant revenue boost for the wearables company. The Versa, which sold out in the quarter ended June 30, helped Fitbit lift smartwatch sales to 55 percent of the company’s 2.7 million total of devices sold in Q2, up from 30 percent in Q1.

Garmin Raises Wearable Stakes With Expanded Sensor Technology
Garmin Ltd.’s ability to meet growing customer demands for better technology in wearables was on display in the company’s Q2 earnings report. Garmin reported better-than-expected quarterly profit in the second quarter ended June 30 and raised its full-year forecast in the process.

Weakness In Camping, Water Sports Sinks Big 5 Sporting Goods’ Q2
Poor weather around the country stymied the sales of camping and water sports products at Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. stores in the back half of the second quarter, driving down income and revenue for the company during the period.

July M&A Roundup: Where Will Perry Ellis Ownership Saga End?
July was quiet for M&A activity in the outdoor and active lifestyle space, but the ownership saga surrounding Perry Ellis International made plenty of noise as it took more twists and turns.

Beyond Product: Industry Trends, Brand Stories Take Center Stage At OR
New product releases tend to garner most of the headlines at trade shows, but at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, SGB’s editorial team also wanted to discover what’s happening with brands beyond the latest and greatest gear and apparel. Here are some of the stories and industry trends we found and hints of what’s to come.

VF Corp. CEO Steve Rendle Talks Company’s ‘Purpose-Led Journey’
VF Corp. CEO Steve Rendle spoke at last week’s Camber Outdoors keynote breakfast—held in conjunction with Outdoor Retailer Summer Market—where he shared his company’s vision for becoming more inclusive and diverse.

Arc’teryx Sales, China Growth Boost Amer Sports In Q2
Double-digit improvement with the Arc’teryx brand and a 21 percent sales growth in China were the primary drivers behind Finland-based Amer Sports’ performance in the second quarter.