EXEC: Inside the Jogology Launch with Co-Founder Tanya Pictor  

Tanya and Bert Pictor, the founders of Balega Socks, are partnering with Luke Rowe, the running industry veteran, to launch a new running sock brand, Jogology, that will be sold exclusively at run specialty stores. Tanya Pictor talked to SGB Executive about inspiration behind Jogology and how the brand plans to differentiate itself in the crowded sock market.

EXEC: Active Lifestyle Stocks Show Some Recovery In First Half

On Holding, Adidas, Deckers Outdoor, Amazon, Smith & Wesson and Skechers USA delivered share price gains of more than 30 percent in the first half of 2023 in an overall mixed performance for stocks in the active lifestyle space. Laggards included VF Corp., Hibbett, Under Armour and Foot Locker.

Smith x Aleck Integrate Crash Sensor Technology Into Smith Bike Helmets For S24

Aleck, the maker of wireless helmet audio systems for outdoor sports, and Smith, the manufacturer of snow goggles and helmets and innovator across bike helmets, sport, lifestyle, and prescription eyewear, announced a strategic partnership to integrate Aleck Crash Sensor technology (Aleck CS) into a selection of Smith’s cycling helmets for Spring 2024. Aleck CS is […]

EXEC: Jordan Brand Shines For Nike In FY23

On Nike’s fourth-quarter analyst call, John Donahoe, president and CEO, Nike, Inc. talked up progress and untapped opportunities for Nike Brand around global football (soccer), basketball and running categories, but Jordan Brand was by far the star performer for Nike’s fiscal year ended May 31.

EXEC: Nike Delivers Rare Quarterly EPS Miss, Cloudy Outlook

Nike missed on earnings for the first time in three years as compressed margins weighed on profits during its fiscal fourth quarter ended May 31. The sportswear giant also forecast first-quarter revenue below Wall Street targets as North America softness  overshadowed China’s recovery. On the positive side, Nike indicated demand remains healthy across regions and inventories have been rebalanced to position the company for profitable growth going forward.

EXEC: Signa Sports’ Q2 Results Waylaid By Bike Inventory Overhang

Signa Sports reported a steeper loss in its fiscal second quarter ended March 31 as sales fell 23.5 percent. The operator of niche sports e-commerce websites also warned of further sales declines and margin compression in coming quarters as it believes another 12-to-18 months is needed for elevated bike inventories to fully clear.

Report: Outdoor Recreation M&A Slower But Valuations Holding Up Amid Turmoil

A market report from Capstone Partners found that M&A activity has slowed in 2023 as sellers and buyers have approached transactions with increased caution amid economic headwinds. However, the company found that price multiples remained robust for making deals as the industry continues to benefit from elevated spending and participation rates since the pandemic.

EXEC: Wall Street Cautiously Optimistic On VF’s “Outsider” CEO Hire

Shares of VF Corp. were up slightly Tuesday despite the company’s surprising move to go outside the industry to hire Bracken Darrell, former CEO of computer accessories maker Logitech International, as its new CEO. Analysts were hopeful Darrell’s track record for driving growth, executing turnarounds and global expertise offsets his lack of experience in the apparel and footwear space.

EXEC: Outdoor Participation Holding Onto Pandemic Gains

The 2023 Outdoor Participation Report shows that the outdoor recreation participant base grew 2.3 percent in 2022 to 168.1 million people, or 55 percent of the U.S. population over age six, and is increasingly more diverse in ethnicity, race, age, sexual, and gender identity.