Author: SGB Executive

At its Investor Day event, Nautilus Inc. laid a long-term strategic plan to nearly double sales by 2026 as it looks to take advantage of the dramatic shift toward at home-fitness. Shares of Nautilus, however, remain under pressure due to a weak outlook for margins.

SFIA’s 2021 Manufacturers Sales By Category Report shows double-digit solid sales gains across golf, camping, firearms, and fleece, but the fitness equipment category saw the most significant gain boosted by the home-fitness craze.

Winnebago Industries reported earnings soared in the second quarter ended February 27, and backlogs are running ahead in triple-digits for both its Towable and Motorhome segments. Winnebago told analysts it does not see a slowdown even as other forms of travel slowly reopen to consumers.

Shares of Nike slid $5.68, or about 2 percent, Friday after it reported third-quarter sales missed Wall Street’s target due to port congestion in North America and store closures in the EMEA region—both tied to COVID-19. However, analysts generally believe the underlying demand for Nike’s products remains strong and see top-line momentum resuming in the quarters ahead.

Foot Locker, Bass Pro and REI all landed among the top-ten retailers on CI&T’s Connected Retail Report. Foot Locker stood out for its ‘fun and engaging” website while Bass Pro and REI ranked high for their overall shopping experience.

Nike’s sales in the third quarter ended February 28 came in below Wall Street’s targets as container shortages and port delays impeded the North America wholesale business. However, Nike said demand for its products remains strong and inventory flows are expected to improve, with much of third quarter’s miss expected to be made up in its fourth quarter.

With Americans thirsting to get outdoors during the pandemic, L.L.Bean recorded its best annual sales growth in nearly a decade. Annual net revenue totaling $1.59 billion, a 5 percent increase over 2019, its best showing since 2011.

Designer Brands, the parent of DSW, said athleisure and athletic styles again delivered double-digit growth due in part to ramped-up inventory investments over the last year. Weakness in dressier and formal styles due to pandemic led to a 20.1 percent overall comp decline for the company.

Speaking at the BofA Securities Consumer and Retail Technology Conference, officials at Dick’s Sporting Goods elaborated on the potential for its two new concepts, Public Lands and Dick’s House of Sport, while also addressing its relationship with Nike, its private-label success and sales outlook for the current year.

Dorel Industries Inc. reported sales at its Dorel Sports cycling segment rose 13.8 percent in the fourth quarter and expects cycling’s momentum to continue after the pandemic is over; however, supply chain constraints continue to curtail top-line growth. Martin Schwartz, president and CEO, Dorel Industries, said, “Demand for bicycles overall is clearly outpacing the ability to supply in both the IBD and mass channels.”

Vail Resorts, Inc. financial results continued to be heavily impacted by COVID-19 during its second fiscal quarter ended January 31 but total visitation across the company’s North American destination mountain resorts and regional ski areas were only down approximately 5 percent.

The hard goods category again led Zumiez Inc. to deliver strong results for the fourth quarter, and the chain is looking to convert new skateboarders who embraced the activity during the pandemic into loyal customers.

Tilly’s Inc. logged the strongest fourth-quarter EPS performance since its 2012 fourth quarter. The gains were helped by strong performances in women’s and footwear supported by introducing several new brands. The chain, however, warned that product arrival delays could curtail sales growth in the first half.

Journeys reported same-store sales rose 2 percent for its first positive comp since the pandemic emerged on strong appeal for casual footwear offerings, according to the fourth-quarter report of parent, Genesco Inc. Said Mimi Vaughn, Genesco’s CEO, “Comfort reigns as the fashion choice of the pandemic.”

Bogs saw North American revenues on a wholesale basis increase 5 percent in the fourth quarter to end with flat sales for the year, according to the outdoor footwear brand’s parent, Weyco Group. Bogs’ backlogs are “very strong” due to boot shortages in the marketplace.