Puma’s growth accelerated in the third quarter to a 5 percent currency-adjusted (ca) gain from 2.1 percent in the second quarter, led by a recovery in footwear demand. Arne Freundt, CEO of Puma, said on a media call, “I’m very confident to say that we are leading the low-profile trend.”
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699
Study: Boys Participation Declines; Increased Specialization Tops Youth Sports Concerns
Kids have returned to pre-COVID sports participation levels. However, some worrisome trends in the Aspen Institute’s National State of Play 2024 report highlight that boys continue to play fewer sports and kids are specializing in one sport rather than multiple, even more so post-pandemic.
Study: Out-of-Stocks Drive 66 Percent of Consumers to Another Retailer
“‘Right product, right place, right time’ echoes in every retail conference room. Yet as retailers have expanded their online assortments and marketplaces to attract new customers and traffic, it’s become more challenging to avoid frustrating shoppers when they can’t find their size or their desired item in-store.”
EXEC: VF Corp. Sets Medium-Term Targets at Investor Day
At VF’s Investor Day, “Reinvent to Grow,” company President Bracken Darrell highlighted six areas that the company is focused on at the enterprise level to build a competitive advantage and revive profitability and growth.
EXEC: Shimano Returns to Growth in Third Quarter on Cycling Uptick
Shimano, Inc. reported its first sales increase in several quarters as a recovery at its bicycle components offset a slight decline in its fishing tackle business.
EXEC: VF Corp. CEO Sees Recovery Gaining Traction at TNF and Vans Parent
On VF’s quarterly analyst call, Bracken Darrell, CEO and president, said the second quarter delivered “another quarter of really good progress,” marking the third straight quarter of sequential top-line improvement in the decline rate and witnessing moderating sales declines at its two most challenged areas: Vans and the Americas region.
EXEC: AlixPartners Survey is Latest to Find Nike Losing Mind Share in Sneakers
An accompanying survey conducted by the financial advisory and global consulting firm is the latest to indicate that the brand has lost market share to competitors, including Adidas, New Balance, Hoka, and On.
EXEC: VF Corp Placed on Negative Catalyst Watch Due to TNF, Vans Pressures
JP Morgan trimmed its earnings estimates for VF Corp and placed the stock on “Negative Catalyst Watch” on concerns over ongoing wholesale pressures facing The North Face, Vans and TNF both fighting softer DTC traffic, and elevated inventory levels impact on margins.
EXEC: UK’s Shoe Zone Plc Saw FY Profits Impacted by Weather and Shipping Costs
The UK-based discount footwear retailer said it expects earnings before taxes to decline 40.7 percent in its fiscal year ended September 28 as revenues declined slightly and container prices increased.
Global Survey: Running Race Participation Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Running USA Global Runner Survey was based 7,400 runners and event participants, was conducted over June and July 2024. Brooks and Asics again ranked as the preferred running and training footwear brands by respondents.
Nike’s Mark Parker to Step Down from Walt Disney’s Board
Parker has been Chairman since April 3, 2023, and first elected to Disney’s Board in early 2016. The Executive Chairman of Morgan Stanley, James P. Gorman, will succeed Parker.
Report: M&A Activity in Active Lifestyle Sector Seeing Strong Recovery
Houlihan Lokey’s “Active Lifestyle Market Update” for the second quarter shows M&A activity in the active lifestyle space has rebounded strongly from a “muted” 2023, “supported by increasing confidence, renewed financing market activity, and a return of mega deals.”
EXEC: Nike Eyes Stronger Return to Outdoor Business with Renewed ACG Focus
Nike has tasked Angela Dong, Nike’s top executive in Greater China, with overseeing its outdoor sub-brand, All Conditions Gear (ACG), as Nike revisits its opportunity in the outdoor space to revive growth.
EXEC: Lululemon Touts International Growth Potential
At an investor event held in Shanghai, Lululemon Athletica officials did not provide any major updates on progress in reviving North America revenues, but analysts told SGB Media that officials laid out a convincing strategy to reach its goal of having international ultimately represent half of sales, fueled predominately by China Mainland.
EXEC: Nike’s Stock Nets “Buy” Upgrade on Leadership Changes
Nike scored its first rating upgrade since news arrived of Elliot Hill’s appointment as CEO. Truist Securities’ Joe Civello believes Nike’s increasingly veteran-driven management team can revive the brand’s marketing and innovation, including better promoting Caitlin Clark, while continuing to repair wholesale relationships. Civello also cited selling direct on Amazon as a “game-changer” opportunity.
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