Author: SGB Executive

In an interview with SGB Executive, Steve Lawrence, EVP and chief merchandising officer, Academy Sports + Outdoors, discusses the chain’s first-quarter performance marked by a 38.9 percent same-store gain and a significant hike in its annual outlook. He also digs deep into the expected growth drivers for the rest of the year.

Vail Resorts Inc. wrapped up the 2020/21 North American ski season by reporting steadily improving visitation rates for the third quarter ended April 30 and healthy season pass sales so far for the upcoming 2021/22 North American ski season.

Academy Sports + Outdoors significantly lifted its sales and earnings guidance for 2021 after seeing the strong demand for many of its categories during the pandemic only accelerate further in the first quarter of 2021. Ken Hicks, chairman, president and CEO, said, “Our customers are coming back more often and shopping more areas of the store. Sports and outdoors remain a meaningful part of their lives.”

According to Kampgrounds of America’s (KOA) annual North American Camping Report, the proportion of first-time campers across the U.S. grew five-fold compared to 2019. COVID-19 proved a key driver behind the influx of many camping attributes, including the 10.1 million households who camped for the first-time in 2020.

G-III Apparel Group reported first-quarter results handily surpassed company guidance as demand for casual apparel remained strong and extended to include additional more categories. Morris Goldfarb, G-III’s chairman and CEO, said, “Demand for athleisure and casual sportswear across our power brands once again accelerated and continues to be strong.”

Lululemon Athletica raised its outlook for sales and earnings for 2021 as first-quarter results showed continued momentum in online sales, a strong resurgence in in-store traffic and strength across its men’s and women’s offerings. On a two-year CAGR basis, revenue increased 25 percent, representing an acceleration relative to its three-year CAGR of 19 percent leading up to the pandemic.

Tilly’s Inc. reported its best first-quarter net sales and EPS since becoming a public company in 2012 as the action-sport chain’s sales recovery coming out of the pandemic gains momentum. Tilly’s officials also said its expansion of hard goods is seeing a good response and the sustainability section on its website would expand to more than 1,000 products by the end of the third quarter.

In his first comments to the investment community since taking over as president and CEO of Duluth Holding, Sam Sato said he is seeking to better scale Duluth’s omnichannel assets and remains focused on building a multi-brand brand platform across Duluth Trading, Alaskan Hardgear, 40 Grit and Best Made.

A number of surveys arriving in recent weeks largely timed to Earth Day show concerns over climate change appear to have only heightened as a result of the pandemic. Many consumers, particularly younger ones, are increasingly highlighting sustainability as a key purchasing driver although some
admit to being confused over what sustainability means.

At Hanesbrands Inc.’s recent 2021 Investor Day, Jon Ram, group president, global activewear, highlighted four key “actions” designed to grow the Champion brand another $1 billion in sales globally over the next three years. Said Ram, “Champion competes in the land of giants, but we’re not trying to copy the competition. We’re forging a separate path.”

Famous Footwear achieved record quarterly earnings and sales in the first quarter, boosted by improving in-store traffic trends with strong demand across athletic, seasonal and kids categories.

Athleta sales growth accelerated in the first quarter with the benefit of a 113 percent hike in online sales and strong full-price selling, said Sonia Syngal, Gap Inc.’s CEO, on a conference call with analysts. “Athleta drove outsized digital growth while achieving record full-price sales through gains in performance lifestyle products, particularly warm weather short, dresses, swim, and tanks, and it really differentiates us from the competition.”

Boosted by strong demand for its casual offerings, Journeys saw a strong recovery in the first quarter and help its parent, Genesco Inc., deliver earnings and sales well above Wall Street’s targets in the first quarter. Mimi Vaughn, Genesco’s president and CEO, told analysts, “When fashion swings toward non-athletic or casual footwear, Journeys is especially well-positioned among its competition to deliver this assortment.”

Dick’s Sporting Goods significantly hiked its guidance for 2021 as stellar first-quarter results provided more confidence that the surge seen across many categories during the pandemic would continue to pay dividends in the future. On a conference call with analysts, Lauren Hobart, president and CEO, said team sports “came back with a vengeance” in the first quarter and pandemic-helped categories such as golf, home fitness and outdoor are “still really, really strong.”

A survey of U.S. consumers from Morgan Stanley found that while Nike remains the most dominant athletic shoe and apparel brand among U.S. consumers, Adidas and Puma may be gaining ground at Nike’s expense. The survey showed Adidas is now the favorite athletic shoe and apparel brand in the U.S.