While the news of the day was CEO Calvin McDonald’s pending departure at the close of the current fiscal year, Lululemon’s management team on the company’s third quarter analyst call detailed a comprehensive action plan backed by three pillars — Product Creation, Product Activation and Enterprise Efficiency — to revive growth in the U.S. marketplace.
Author: SGB Executive
EXEC: 2026 Color of the Year Debated as Pantone Goes White and Stitch Fix Says Bright
Stitch Fix named Chili Red, what they call a “vivid, optimistic and confident shade,” as the 2026 Color of the Year. Sales of red pieces are reportedly “up by over 50 percent as of October 2025,” and demand is expected to continue to grow in 2026.
EXEC: Top Asia Footwear Factories Continue Declines in November
Feng Tay Enterprises, one of the longest-tenured producers of Nike footwear, saw Manufacturing revenues decline 11.8 percent year-over-year in November, while Outdoor and athletic footwear maker Yue Yuen factory output declined 2.4 percent y/y for the month.
EXEC: Famous Footwear Comps Positive in Athletic in Q3 on Trend to Premium Brands
Jordan, Adidas, Birkenstock, New Balance, Brooks, DC Shoes and Timberland were top growth brands, while the Caleres, Inc. owned brands outperformed at Famous Footwear with sales up in mid-single digits.
EXEC: Roots Delivers 6.8 Percent Growth in Q3
Toronto-based Roots reported sales grew 6.8 percent in the third quarter as same-store sales climbed 6.3 percent and wholesale revenues expanded 15.3 percent. Earnings were about flat in the period as increased marketing and hiring expenses offset the sales growth and higher gross margins.
EXEC: DSW Turnaround News, Stronger Q3 Profits Drive Parent DBI Shares Higher
Parent of the DSW Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Co. and Rubino retail banners, and a brand portfolio business that includes Topo Athletic, among others, reported $752.4 million in net sales for the third quarter ended November 1 , a 3.2 percent year-over-year decrease versus Q3 2024.
EXEC: Academy Sports Gains Q3 Boost from Elevated Nike and Jordan Allocations
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc.’s earnings in the third quarter came in slightly ahead of analyst targets as improved allocations of Nike and Jordan products helped the nationwide retailer reach a greater number of high-income earners, offsetting continued pressure on lower-income customers.
EXEC: Outdoor Brands Chase Run Opportunity at The Running Event
The Running Event (TRE) held in San Antonio, TX, last week, drew an expanding crop of outdoor brands to the Switchback section of the trade show, with many seeking ways to drive growth in the hot run specialty channel. Executives at Salomon, The North Face, Keen, Teva, Lowa, Lems Shoes, La Sportiva and more shared their thoughts on the trade show and business conditions.
EXEC: Yélo Bike Club Ltd. Assumes Distribution of Tune Bike Components
Tune will move to a dealer-direct model in Switzerland starting January 1, 2026, strengthening its relationships with local dealers and ensuring its product line reaches more riders.
EXEC: The Running Event Showcases Running’s Growing Momentum; Comments from the Floor
The Running Event (TRE), which was held for the first time this week in San Antonio, TX, drew a record number of exhibitors, with crowded aisles and robust booth spaces, as the industry appears to have concluded another banner year.
EXEC: European Cycling Organizations Merge; Create Unified Voice for Bike Industry
The Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) have merged to form European Cycling Industries (ECI) to establish a new, unified voice for the cycling business in Europe.
EXEC: Zumiez, Inc. CEO Reports Strong Q3 and Early Q4 Growth on Higher AURs and Basket Value
Looking ahead, net sales for the fiscal fourth quarter ending January 31, 2026 are projected to be in the range of $291 million to $296 million, representing year-over-year sales growth of 4.0 percent to 6.0 percent. Total comparable sales are planned to be in the 2.5 percent to 4.0 percent range for the period.
EXEC: Fraser’s Chief Executive Says Ambitions Are High After Posting Solid H1 Results
In the UK, sales growth from Sports Direct and Flannels was said to be more than offset by planned declines in Game UK, Studio Retail, House of Fraser, and the businesses acquired from JD Sports. International revenue benefited from the acquisitions of Holdsport (May 2025) and XXL ASA (June 2025), partially offset by the disposal of the MySale business in May 2025.
EXEC: Giant Group Updates Market on Labor Actions to Address CBP Withhold Release Order
The latest moves come following CBP’s action on September 24, 2025to issue the Withhold Release Order on products manufactured at Giant Group’s Taiwan-based manufacturing factory, suspending the import of Giant-branded bikes, bike parts and components into the United States.
EXEC: Sportsman’s Warehouse CEO Outlines Solid Q3 Category Gains; Lowers Guide on Weaker Consumer
Given the pressure of consumer headwinds experienced in November, the company has increased its promotional efforts to maintain inventory efficiency while driving sales, which is putting pressures on margins. For the full fiscal year 2025, SPWH is adjusting its net sales range to be flat to up slightly.
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