In a televised interview with Bloomberg in Milan at the Winter Olympics, Nike President and CEO Elliott Hill hyped Nike’s rediscovered potential in the outdoor category through the relaunch of ACG (All Conditions Gear), eyeing major growth opportunities beyond the brand’s focus on trail running.
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699
EXEC: HydraPak’s CEO Talks Up Hydration’s OEM and Brand Opportunities
Matt Lyon, president and CEO of HydraPak LLC, spoke with SGB Executive about the ever-evolving and trendy hydration opportunity, including his company’s two-pronged approach to the category as both an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supporting over 120 brands and a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand with HydraPak.
EXEC: Eddie Bauer Retail Stores Commence GOB Sales After Sales Fall 19 Percent Since 2022
Eddie Bauer, LLC, the entity operating Eddie Bauer’s stores in the U.S. and Canada, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a plan to close its 175 stores in North America while seeking a sale. In court papers, the company said a post-pandemic slowdown in outdoor-related sales, inflation, and U.S. tariffs had caused annual losses over the last four years and a 19 percent drop in sales since 2022.
EXEC: BNP Paribas Calls Out Shift Back to “Dressy Offerings” and Away from Athleisure
Analysts at BNP Paribas became the latest Wall Street firm to call out a “return to dress” following a long trend toward athleisure and more casual offerings. The shift is expected to be beneficial to Levi Strauss, Steve Madden and Zara-parent Inditex while presenting headwinds for Lululemon, Nike, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Wolverine Worldwide.
EXEC: VF Corp. Earnings Look Ahead Notes Possible Q3 Upside from Weather, Debate on Vans Turnaround
VF Corp. is expected by several analysts to deliver third-quarter earnings in line or potentially ahead of guidance when it reports on Wednesday, January 28,, as cold weather likely helped fuel a strong holiday quarter for The North Face and Timberland. However, skepticism remains high on whether Vans’ recovery is gaining traction.
EXEC: Nester Hosiery CEO Talks Fox River Acquisition, Socks Opportunity
Kelly Nester, CEO of Nester Hosiery, spoke with SGB Executive about last year’s acquisition of Fox River Socks; opportunities in private label, licensed properties, and Farm to Feet; and Nester Hosiery’s 33 years in socks innovation.
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Outdoor Market Leaders (Part 2)
Vendors, retailers and trade association leaders in the outdoor space expect cautious buying stances from outdoor retailers to continue in 2026 amid trade and economic uncertainty, but still see outdoor enthusiasts prioritizing innovation, durability and sustainability as well as outdoor adventures. Insights from industry leaders at Grassroots, Gregory, Merry People, Sun & Ski Sports, SIA, Nemo Equipment, Tersus Solutions and more…
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Outdoor Market Leaders (Part 1)
Vendors, retailers, and trade association leaders in the outdoor space expect cautious buying from outdoor retailers to continue in 2026 amid trade and economic uncertainty; however, they see outdoor enthusiasts prioritizing innovation, durability, sustainability, and outdoor adventures. Insights from industry leaders at ASA, Coulée Coffee, OIA, Ocean Bottle, RVIA, Gordini, Nite Ize, Ketl Mtn., NBDA, NMMA, Zamberlan, and more…
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Sports & Fitness Market Leaders
Despite ongoing uncertainty about tariffs, executives in the sports and fitness space remain generally upbeat about prospects for 2026, encouraged by strong interest in activities ranging from running to golf, flag football, and strength training. Insights from industry leaders at Academy Sports, BSN Sports, Bauer, Rawlings, Life Fitness, SFIA, NSGA, CEP Americas, Game One and more…
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Active Lifestyle Footwear Leaders
Footwear leaders in the active lifestyle space are hopeful that product differentiation and enhanced online engagement can help soften the sting of higher footwear prices in 2026. Forecasts for 2026 from industry leaders at AAFA, Altra Running, Brooks Running, Circana, Charm City Run, Diadora, FDRA, Fleet Feet, Gazelle Sports, Lowa, Playmakers, and RG Barry Brands.
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead – Active Lifestyle Industry Analysts and Advisors
This is the first installment in a series of articles from SGB Media exploring the industry’s outlook for 2026, with future reporting to include the viewpoints of vendors, retailers, component companies, and trade organizations in the active and outdoor lifestyle space. Insights from executives at Houlihan Lokey, RW Baird, Lincoln International, Karnan Associates, Wells Fargo, Stifel, BCE Consulting, and Outsize Consulting.
TRE Session: Hoka Sales Fall at Run Specialty as Nike Rebounds and Topo Surges
Karnan Associates’ data, presented at The Running Event (TRE), showed that five of this year’s top-selling footwear brands in the run specialty channel were Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, Asics, and Saucony, respectively, down a collective 7.4 percent in the 12 months through September.
Backcountry’s Kevin Lenau Discusses AI-Driven Transformation, Outdoor Opportunity
Lenau discusses the AI-driven transformation the company is undergoing since it was acquired by CSC Generation Enterprise (CSC), its recent acquisitions of Velotech and Level Nine Sports, its newer store and wholesale pushes, trends in the outdoor space, and the company’s website’s recently improved performance.
EXEC: Berghaus Parent Outlines British Outdoor Brand’s Expansion to North America
Shane Wallace, Pentland Brands’ North American VP of Portfolio Brands, recently talked with SGB Executive about the Berghaus brand’s North America retail debut through REI, Canada’s Altitude Sports, JD Sports, Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co., and other limited distribution points.
EXEC: Ames Watson’s Lawrence Berger Talks the Lids Turnaround
Lawrence Berger, co-founder of Ames Watson, explains how the private-equity firm has helped reinvent and revive the Lids fan chain with a focus on exclusivity, customization, and cultural relevance.
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