Tony Post, founder and CEO of the Topo Athletic running brand, spoke with SGB Executive about the drivers behind the company’s 45 percent sales gain in the second quarter, following a sales hike of 84 percent in the first quarter and growth of nearly 80 percent in 2024.
Author: SGB Executive
EXEC: Designer Brands CEO Sees DSW on the Mend Despite Weak Adult Athletic Comps
Designer Brands reported sales at trends at DSW, its largest business, improved sequentially versus the first quarter, including in the athletics categories. However, the star performer again was Topo, where sales catapulted 45 percent year over year.
EXEC: Bültel Garment Works Co-CEO Sets Exit at Year-End
The owner of Hattric, Calamar, and licensee of the Camel Active brand, based in Salzbergen, Germany, said a search for Hoever’s has begun. Until then, CEO Thorsten Suska will oversee the tasks in conjunction with Frank Brüggemann, managing director of Bültel Worldwide Fashion GmbH & Co. KG,
EXEC: Questions Arise Over Foot Locker North America’s New Leadership
Dick’s Sporting Goods on Monday, September 9, closed on its Foot Locker acquisition while announcing that Ed Stack, Dick’s executive chairman, will oversee Foot Locker’s total business, along with a team of former Dick’s and Foot Locker senior managers and several external hires, leaves several unanswered questions.
EXEC: Woom Bikes Sees Sales Surge 41 Percent in 2025 First Half
The Austrian-based kids’ bike manufacturer reported sales increased 41 percent in the first six months of 2026, to €90.1 million ($106 mm), topping expectations. Woom said beyond growing ”rapidly” in the DACH region, “expansion in the UK, a stronger presence in the U.S., and big gains in Northern Europe and the Benelux regions highlight the brand’s global progress.”
EXEC: High Value/Low Price Gyms Pace Healthy M&A Activity in Fitness Space in Q2
Houlihan Lokey’s “Fitness Market Update” for the second quarter 2025 shows M&A activity remained “robust” in the fitness sector with notable transactions in the equipment and high-end gym sectors, including the sale of Reform RX and 425 Fitness, although high value/low price (HVLP) gyms continued to dominate the market. Changing fitness routines, including an increased interest in Pilates and a shift from cardio to strength training, are creating future growth opportunities.
EXEC: Lululemon CEO Blames “Stale” Lifestyle Offerings for U.S. Weakness
Lululemon is taking decisive actions to address declining U.S. performance by increasing the percentage of new styles, accelerating product updates and speeding up replenishment of popular items, according to CEO Calvin McDonald during the second-quarter analyst call.
EXEC: Dicks’ SG Sees “Newness” Driving Growth in Second Half
Speaking at Goldman Sachs’ 32nd Annual Global Retailing Conference, Ed Stack, Dick’s Sporting Goods’ executive chairman, said he was most excited about the abundance of “newness” coming from the chain’s vendor partners, which he expects will continue to drive sales growth in the back half.
EXEC: Sportsman’s Warehouse CEO Details Q2 Category Details as CFO Talks Guidance Raise
The retailer raised its sales guidance for fiscal year 2025 and now expects net sales to be in the range of flat to up 3.5 percent, compared to prior guidance issued in June for net sales to be in the range of down 1.0 percent to positive 3.5 percent for the year. Still, Wall Street has concerns that sent SPWH shares down overnight before recovering a bit on Friday morniing.
EXEC: Shoe Carnival Shares Jump 20 Percent as Rebanner Strategy Gains Momentum
Shares of Shoe Carnival leapt $4.36, or 20.3 percent, to $25.89 Thursday after the family shoe chain delivered its strongest Q2 margin in years, saw its rebanner strategy exceed targets, returned to positive comp growth in August, and raised its earnings guidance for the year.
EXEC: Golden Goose Q2 Sales Accelerate to Post Mid-Teens Growth
The Milan-based fashion sneaker brand reported sales grew 13 percent in the first half to €342.1 million ($399 mm), led by continued DTC expansion. Sales were up 14 percent in the second quarter, up from a 12 percent gain in the first quarter.
EXEC: PwC Forecasts First Holiday Spending Pullback Since 2020
PwC, fka PriceWaterhouseCoopers, 2025 Holiday Outlook survey signals a shift in consumer seasonal spending, with an average decline of 5 percent from 2024 — the first notable drop since 2020. More broadly, 84 percent of surveyed respondents expect to cut back spending over the next six months, citing rising prices, new tariffs and the higher cost of living.
EXEC: Does Tariff Ruling Create Upside Opportunities for U.S. Companies?
The conversation has now shifted once again to a new question: Will U.S. companies and consumers have to pay any additional tariffs at all, and how much of a rebate will U.S. companies be eligible to receive if a recent appeals court ruling stands? What about consumers that paid higher prices?
EXEC: Sailing Brand Henri-Lloyd Taps Henley Hansen Veteran as New CEO
The UK-based clothing brand, which specializes in sailing apparel and fashion for men and women, has named Chris Hammond as its new CEO, effective October 1. Hammond most recently held the position of chief digital officer at Helly Hansen and Musto.
EXEC: Academy Sports CEO Talks Nike/Jordan Allocations as AUR’s Rise and EPS Grow
Academy Sports + Outdoors’ second-quarter came below Wall Street targets, but same-store sales turned positive for the first time in 11 quarters, boosted by double-digit growth for both Nike and Jordan brands. With the sales strength and more confidence in its tariff-mitigation strategies, the retailer lifted its EPS guidance for the year.
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