Author: Thomas J. Ryan

SGB Executive reached out to industry executives to get their perspectives on the supply chain’s ongoing recovery efforts. Responses surveyed from Case And Zippo, Cascade Designs, Hot Chillys, Land Energy, Lowa, NetVirta, Reima, The Woolmark Company, Tread Labs, TRE US, and Vibram are outlined.

Rocky Brands reported fourth-quarter results easily topped expectations due to outperformance by its Retail segment. However, Rocky officials on an analyst call provided a cautious outlook for 2023, expecting sales to decline between 7 and 9 percent, due to low visibility into wholesale orders and uncertain consumer demand.

On a call with analysts, Matt Reintjes, Yeti’s president and CEO, said he remained confident that the drinkware and cooler maker would return to its long-term revenue target of 10 percent to 15 percent growth despite sales growth expected to fall well below that rate in the current year due to a massive recall and a slowdown at wholesale.

Led by a hike in pickleball participation, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Topline Participation Report found that physical activity rates increased in the U.S. for a fifth consecutive year. The report also indicates that activities ranging from golf to tennis, basketball, kayaking and surfing continue to build on pandemic-related gains.

Escalade, Inc. reported lower earnings in the fourth quarter and year as demand for many of its sporting goods gear normalized and it warned of continued challenges in 2023. However, pickleball, led by its Onix and Dura brands, was a bright spot, landing among the few categories managing growth in the fourth quarter.

Wolverine Worldwide reported fourth-quarter results that were in line with guidance but officials on a call with analysts gave a bullish outlook for profit improvement in the back half of 2023 as inventory and expense reduction efforts are already starting to pay off. For the current year, mid-single digit growth is expected for both Merrell and Saucony and low-single digits gains for Sweaty Betty.

Walmart comfortably topped holiday-quarter earnings and sales targets, but the retail giant delivered weak guidance for the current year due to high prices and the potential for further macro pressures, foreshadowing a tough year for the retail sector.

SportChek’s same-store sales declined slightly in the fourth quarter against challenging year-ago comparisons but were also impacted by a lack of snowy weather and a pickup in promotional activity in the marketplace. Helly Hansen delivered growth of over 20 percent for the second straight year.

Crocs, Inc’s results for the fourth quarter and year came in even better than a favorable pre-announcement issued in early January. On an analyst call, Andrew Rees, CEO, called out sandals and international as key growth drivers for the Crocs brand in the current year while also expecting Heydude to build on its ramped-up wholesale partner expansion in the U.S.

Founded in 1980, Sun & Ski Sports has become one the leading sports specialty chains in the U.S., with 33 stores across 13 states. Karl Salz, president, discusses with SGB what’s unique about the Sun & Ski Sports concept, the chain’s recent performance, expansion, and other key growth initiatives.

Ammo Inc. reported a loss in its fiscal third quarter ended December 31 on a 40 percent sales plunge while slashing its outlook for the second straight quarter.

Shimano reported that net income rose 10.6 percent on a 15.1 percent revenue gain in its year ended December 31. Both earnings and sales easily topped the company’s guidance. Sales are expected to decline 20 percent in the current year.

Adidas’ surprise profit warning for 2023 last week signaled to analysts that the fallout from the Yeezy break-up would be worse than expected and the sales recovery under new CEO Bjorn Gulden would take longer than forecast.

Asics Corp reported sales in its North American region grew 22 percent in 2022 with a big foreign-exchange boost. Currency-neutral sales rose 3.1 percent on top of a 27.2 percent jump in 2021. The region was profitable for the second straight year although profits were down due to e-commerce expenses.

Nautilus, Inc. reported a steep decline in sales in the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, slashed its full0-year outlook for the second straight quarter and said it would reduce its workforce by approximately 15 percent as part of further cost-reduction actions.