Liberated Brands LLC, the former licensing arm for Authentic Brands Group’s collection of action sports lifestyle brands, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
Author: SGB Executive

EXEC: Descente, Ltd. De-Lists Common Shares from the Tokyo Stock Exchange
The company called an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting for December 25, 2024, and offered a proposal regarding a share consolidation that was approved as proposed by the company’s shareholders. As a result, the company’s shares were delisted.

EXEC: Hoka Growth Trend Concerns Sends Deckers Brands Shares Down Double Digits
Net sales increased 17.1 percent to $1.83 billion compared to $1.56 billion in the prior-year Q3 period. On a constant-currency (cc) basis, net sales increased 16.6 percent. Analysts were expecting growth of 11.6 percent, a clear beat.

EXEC:Beyond Yoga Parent Sees Active Athleisure Brand as Billion-Dollar Bet
Levi’s CEO said the company is excited to open its first Beyond Yoga East Coast store in Connecticut later this year and remain confident about the prospects for Beyond Yoga to one day become a billion-dollar brand.

EXEC: Inside the Improving Vans Performance and Turnaround Story
Sharp declines in Asia heavily impacted the 8 percent decline for the Vans brand in Q3 but also represented an improvement against the year-to-date period that saw reported sales down 13 percent in constant-currency terms.

EXEC: VF Corp. CEO Hints at More Cuts Ahead While Improving Processes
Bracken Darrell said the company is already working on process and organizational changes that will contribute to unlocking another $500 million to $600 million in operating income expansion, with half of that coming from SG&A expenses alone.

EXEC: VF Corp. Sees Global Strength From TNF and Timberland; Vans Improves
The parent of the Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Smartwool, Jansport and Dickies active lifestyle and street lifestyle brands, reported Wednesday that it beat third-quarter revenue and profit estimates.

EXEC: Dr. Martens Sees U.S. Focus Get Lift from DTC Efforts
Third quarter group revenue was reported at £260 million, a 3 percent decline year-over-year. Revenues declined 3 percent on a constant-currency (CC) basis to £267 million.

EXEC: Golden Goose Group Snags Minority Investment from Hong Kong Firm
The transaction with Blue Pool Capital, which was negotiated and agreed shortly after the Group’s decision to postpone its planned IPO in June 2024, was completed on January 28, 2025.

Bain & Co. Releases 2025 Retail Forecast, Outlines Key Initiatives for Retailers
Bain suggests in its report that retailers face a pivotal moment in 2025. The firm said that for retailers to thrive in 2025 it will require fresh strategies around emerging technologies, customer loyalty, operations, and adaptation.

EXEC: REI Greensboro Employees Unionize; SoHo Ski Workers Get PPE Agreement
RWDSU said in a statement that REI Greensboro workers first began organizing in the wake of REI’s October 2023 round of layoffs, which cut the jobs of 275 of “the most experienced workers.”

EXEC: Kappa Retail Stores in China Moderate Decline in Fiscal Q3
Same-store sales for the Kappa-branded stores, which have been in operation since the beginning of the same quarter last year, were down in high-single-digits on a year-over-year basis.

EXEC: Saucony Posts 60 Percent Retail Growth in China
MS (China) Sports Company Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Xtep International Holdings Limited, operates under licensing and royalty agreements for the Merrell and Saucony brands and subsidiaries in China.

EXEC: Megabass is Latest Outdoor Brand to Partner with L Catterton
The deal positions the Japan-headquartered fishing gear manufacturer for further expansion by leveraging L Catterton’s operating capabilities and industry network on the back of rising demand for its products.

EXEC: KMD Saw Holiday Turnaround for Rip Curl; DTC Gives Lift to All Brands
The company said in its preliminary report that the total sales result was driven by improving trends in the direct-to-consumer channel for all brands. Wholesale sales have taken longer to recover and continue to decline year-over-year.