Author: Thomas J. Ryan

Brooks Sports Inc. filed a lawsuit against Skechers U.S.A. Inc., alleging the company is infringing on the “BEAST” trademark used on Brooks running shoes since 1992.

Fenix Outdoor International AG reported sales climbed 9 percent in the first quarter on strength in the Americas and German regions as well as with the Fjällräven and Hanwag brands. Profits were down slightly, and Fenix Outdoor warned that results in upcoming quarters could be pressured by elevated inventories and promotions in the marketplace.

SGB Executive talked to Jim Duffy, veteran sell-side industry analyst at Stifel Financial Corp., about the headwinds and tailwinds facing the active lifestyle space, his favorite stocks, the DTC trend, his affinity for covering the active lifestyle space, and the company’s sponsorship of the U.S. ski team.

Recent surveys timed to Earth Day, April 22, indicate economic pressures are working against sustainability measures despite continued commitments and show that consumers are challenged by rising inflation in support of “green” products.

SFIA’s 2023 State of the Industry Report finds the outlook for the sports and fitness industry remains strong, although current macroeconomic headwinds and uncertainty have dimmed that optimism slightly from 2020 and 2021 levels.

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. is working with an adviser to explore selling the Mirror connected fitness business, which has underperformed since LULU acquired the company in 2020, sources told Bloomberg. The report comes as LULU, on March 29, said it absorbed after-tax impairment and other charges against fourth-quarter earnings totaling $442.7 million related to Mirror.

Goldman Sachs upgraded its stock rating on VF Corp. to “Buy” from “Sell” as the investment firm believes strategic actions, including overhauling Vans’ management team, have improved VF’s outlook for profitability.

Sportsman’s Warehouse’s shares fell Thursday on weak first-quarter guidance and the abrupt retirement of CEO John Barker. Analysts slashed price and earnings targets on the hunt & fish retailer while generally remaining cautious on the stock, given the low visibility into a return to positive same-store growth.

Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc., as expected, reported a sharp decline in sales and earnings in the fourth quarter as inflationary and recessionary pressures slowed sales of higher-ticket items. However, the hunt & fish retailer unexpectedly delivered dismal guidance for the first quarter as unseasonally snowy and rainy weather in the West stalled the start of the shooting, fishing and camping seasons.

Shares of Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. rallied on Monday and Tuesday following the Masters Tournament win by Jon Rahm this weekend as well as a bullish analyst note highlighting healthy tailwinds for the company and the golf industry.

Lululemon is the second most popular brand in resale, according to ThredUp’s 11th Annual Resale Report. Other activewear brands that made its Top 20 Most Popular Brands In Resale include Patagonia, at No. 6; Vuori, in 10th place; and The North Face, at 18.

The analyst community remained bullish on Academy Sports following its Investor Day presentation that saw the retailer deliver an ambitious plan to expand its store base by 50 percent by 2027.

Shoe City, a Baltimore-based sneaker and streetwear lifestyle retail chain operating 39 stores in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., and the online site, YCMC.com, filed for bankruptcy and will cease operations. Top unsecured creditors in the case include New Balance, Timberland, Puma, and Nike.

Converse, Crocs, Hoka, New Balance and On were among the brands in the active lifestyle space increasing their appeal with teens in Piper Sandler’s 45th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens survey. Nike dominated teen mindshare in both footwear and apparel but lost appeal in performance offerings while Adidas, Under Armour and Vans all lost ground with teens.