Author: Thomas J. Ryan

Mizuno Corp reported earnings slid 22 percent in the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, but sales grew 21 percent with double-digit gains in all regions.

Under Armour is making progress in its recent brand repositioning that includes better targeting teens and tapping lifestyle offerings. However, shares fell $1.01, or 8.2 percent, to $11.22 Wednesday as management warned on an analyst call that markdown pressures felt in its most recent quarter will continue in coming quarters.

At its Investor Day, Canada Goose Holdings revealed plans to nearly triple its growth in five years as it further double-downs on its direct-to-consumer push and ramps up expansion across geographies and enters categories, including eyewear, luggage, and home.

The big news coming out of Vista Outdoor’s earnings report last Thursday was the resignation of CEO Chris Metz, but analysts expressed more concerns about the eroding performance of the company’s organic businesses, particularly the Outdoor Products segment.

Hoka’s sales catapulted 90.8 percent in the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, helping Deckers Brands surpass Wall Street estimates and lift its guidance for the year. On an analysts’ call, Dave Powers, Deckers’ CEO, said Hoka “more than doubled its DTC business, while demonstrating momentum across the product line and significantly increased wholesale through both market share gains and select new strategic access points.”

Skechers USA reported sales and earnings topped guidance in the fourth quarter despite supply chain disruption that restricted inventory flow and softness in China.

In one of the first casualties of the rise and fall of the outdoor space over the pandemic, Vista Outdoor, Inc.’s Chris Metz, on Thursday, was ousted as CEO due to the “board’s loss of confidence in his leadership.”

Shares of Peloton jumped 26.57 percent on Wednesday as fiscal second-quarter results handily topped expectations. On an analyst call, Barry McCarthy, CEO and president, vowed the connected fitness leader was done cutting jobs as efforts to rejuvenate growth, including by selling on third-party platforms, were beginning to yield fruit.

According to recent studies, Generation Alpha, the youngest age group entering their teenage years, is poised to become the biggest disruptor at retail.

Late last week, REI Co-op and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) disagreed on a contract to hold an election at REI’s Beachwood, OH store. As a result, a hearing with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will be held on February 3 to determine the parameters of the election process.

A Bain & Co. recent study concluded that while spending on luxury goods is forecasted to slow in 2023 following two strong recovery years, the overall sector is “more resilient to recession” versus the recession in 2009. Drivers include a higher share of top customers, the benefits of digitization and luxury’s expanding appeal to younger consumers.

Cowen raised its rating on Skechers to “Outperform” from “Market Perform” as channel checks show the brand’s value proposition resonates with customers, and a survey shows Skechers has gained preference in the casual/lifestyle footwear category from Nike and Adidas.

At the 2023 NRF Big Show, Shawn Wilkinson, e-commerce program manager for personalization at Dick’s Sporting Goods, outlined how the pandemic accelerated the retailer’s push to leverage data to deliver relevant offers and communication to its “athletes,” a word Dick’s uses for its customers.

Baird lowered its stock ratings on Canada Goose, Peloton and VF Corp. as the investment firm noted concerns that an earnings recovery could take longer than investors have signaled.