The company did not provide growth trends or volume for U.S. national retailers although it did provide select market research data for the channel. That channel is heavily dominated by On and Hoka in the current environment. A push in lifestyle may give Brooks, like Asics last year, a solid re-positioning in the channel.
Author: SGB Executive

EXEC: Columbia Brand Set to Take Market Share Back in 2025; Q1 Exceeds Outlook
First-quarter net sales and earnings exceeded guidance, driven by late-season demand for winter products and strong early-spring shipments. International markets, which contributed 40 percent of annual sales, performed well, with double-digit growth in the LAAP region and high-single-digit growth in EMEA.

EXEC: Daiwa Parent Warns on FY Sales Results; Will Exceed Profit Forecast
The company reported that outdoor, sports, and leisure industry markets plateaued due to the diversification of consumption into other leisure activities and the impact of rising prices amid the normalization of economic activity.

EXEC: Authentic Inks New ANZ Licensing Partner for Former Boardriders Brands
Authentic said the move secures the future of over 200 branded retail stores, wholesale and e-commerce platforms, and ongoing success for Quiksilver, Billabong, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Element, VonZipper, Spyder, and Volcom.

EXEC: Gymshark to Restructure, Causing Hundreds of Position Cuts and Adds
After reporting that earnings in its latest year had declined due to omnichannel investments and is facing “intense macro-economic volatility” in the marketplace, Gymshark reported it is restructuring the company.

EXEC: Big 5 CEO Expects Little Near-Term Tariff Impact Due to Early Q2 Receipts
Second quarter-to-date sales are reportedly down in the high-single-digit range, in part reflecting an approximate negative 400 basis point impact from one less sales day in the period-to-date due to the Easter calendar shift.

EXEC: Rocky Brands CEO Sees Tariff-Based Price Increases Coming in June
The Xtratuf brand continues its recent momentum and delivered another exceptional quarter with double-digit growth in Q1, with the most popular new spring styles being the women’s duck camo and ivory colored ankle deck boots.

EXEC: Nordic SG Retailer XXL Returns to Growth in Q1 Despite Weather Issues
The general availability of products improved in the quarter, said to be driven by increased quantities of products on lower price points, especially within Private Label. The inventory was stable in value at quarter-end.

EXEC: Sebago Parent BasicNet Sees Slight Revenue Decline in Q1
The Turin, Italy-based parent of the Kappa, Robe di Kappa, K-Way, Superga, Briko Jesus Jeans, Sabelt, and Sebago brands reported Q1 consolidated revenues were €98.3 million, down 3.3 percent from €101.6 million a year ago.

EXEC: Li Ning Posts Low-Single-Digit Retail Sales Gain in First Quarter
Li Ning Company, Ltd. reported that retail sell-through for the first quarter for Li-Ning POS, excluding Li-Ning Young, increased in the low-single digits year over year.

EXEC: Thule Group’s Organic Sales Dip in Q1; Lays Out More U.S. Market Changes
Thule Group CEO Mattias Ankarberg announced that Thule is implementing price increases in North America to offset cost increases from the newly imposed tariffs, even though the company has two of its own factories in the U.S.

EXEC: William Blair Tackles Tariff Realties in Latest Management Survey
Blair said that for now, the best solution seems to be a well-diversified supply chain across multiple jurisdictions, potentially with built-in redundancies to allow for nimbleness.

Nike, Inc. Sued Over NFT Investor Losses Incurred After Closure of RTFKT Unit
The company is now being sued by purchasers of NFTs (non-funglible tokens) that originated with Nike’s December 2021 acquisition of the RTFKT, a virtual sneaker design company and studio for NFTs.

EXEC: Woom Boasts 40 Percent Premium Bike Sales Growth in Q1
Kasper Rørsted, the former Adidas CEO and chair of the Board at Woom, is now helming a growth company boasting double-digit growth in established countries and 50 percent growth in the Nordic countries, the UK and the Benelux.

EXEC: Mips AB Sees Strong Growth Continue in Q1; Sports Helmets Up 40 Percent
The helmet technology company delivered growth in the Bike sub-category, Mips’ largest sub-category, for the sixth quarter in a row. The company also saw continued growth in the Snow sub-category despite a relatively weak winter season in several geographies.