Author: Thomas J. Ryan

Johnson Outdoors, Inc. said a strong bounce back in its Fishing segment, due to the easing of supply chain issues, drove an 18.1 percent sales increase and improved profitability in its fiscal fourth quarter ended September 30. Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairman and CEO, told analysts, “Managing the challenging supply chain environment remains a key priority, and we will continue to evaluate all avenues to mitigate cost pressures into the next fiscal year.”

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. raised its full-year outlook on robust third-quarter results that surpassed plans, but soft guidance for the fourth quarter sent the stock down about 12 percent Friday in mid-day trading. Speaking to analysts, CEO Calvin McDonald acknowledged a “challenging” environment for sales. The tempered guidance came despite Black Friday ranking as LULU’s most profitable for revenue and traffic, driven by worldwide sales.

Sportsman’s Warehouse, Inc. saw record results over Black Friday weekend but warned analysts that promotions have returned to pre-COVID levels. The hunt & fish chain also reported that same-store sales fell 15.0 percent in the third quarter due to inflationary pressures and difficult year-over-year comparisons, but the retailer met plan.

On its first quarterly call since acquiring Johnny Was in September, Oxford Industries Inc. said the California-based lifestyle apparel brand complements the company’s other brands and is well-positioned for continued double-digit growth.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Inc.’s shares jumped 15 percent on Wednesday after the retailer raised its EPS guidance as healthy merchandise margins elevated Q3 profits ahead of analyst targets. Sales missed plan due to weakness in the hunt category.

Shares of Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. lost about 17 percent of its value on Wednesday after the firearms maker reported a 47.5 percent drop in sales in the second quarter ended October 31 due to ongoing inventory rebalancing in the marketplace, combined with the impact of promotional activity by competitors and the trading down by consumers to a lower-priced product.

Speaking Tuesday at Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference, Lauren Hobart, president and CEO, Dick’s Sporting Goods, vowed that changes in its product mix and marketing approach would keep the retailer significantly less promotional than it has been in the past.

Shares of VF Corp. fell about 11 percent on Monday following the news of Steve Rendle’s retirement as CEO. His exit was a surprise but not a shock to Wall Street analysts, given VF’s underperformance, led by Vans, in recent years. More worrisome was VF’s third guidance reduction in the last three months.

Genesco, Inc.’s sales and margins topped expectations in the third quarter, but its full-year outlook was lowered as heightened promotional activity is now planned for the fourth quarter, particularly at the flagship Journeys chain. Mimi Vaughn, Genesco’s president and CEO, told analysts, “The consumer pressured by inflation is having to make harder choices on where they spend their money.”

Tilly’s, Inc. reported sales and earnings in the third quarter were down against record year-ago results but topped the action sports chain’s expectations and management predicted an improved comp sales trend for the fourth quarter relative to recent quarters.

Duluth Holdings, Inc., the parent of Duluth Trading, returned to growth in the third quarter on an encouraging response to its updated brand positioning. However, more value-conscious customers have led to a recent deceleration in sales, prompting the company to reduce its outlook for the year.

Designer Brands, Inc. delivered a solid third quarter against challenging year-ago comparisons. However, the parent of DSW lowered its EPS outlook for the year in part due to a significant uptick in promotional activity by athletic brands.

In 1990, Joe DeSimone founded Lacrosse Unlimited in Long Island at the age of 22. Since then, it’s grown to become the country’s largest lacrosse retailer with 48 stores across 14 states. DeSimone spoke with SGB about how the retailer got its start, its success and the evolution of the sport of lacrosse.

Hibbett, Inc. reported that third-quarter EPS came in below Wall Street estimates partly due to increased apparel promotional activity. However, the retailer reiterated guidance for the full year as it expects growth to accelerate in the fourth quarter on strong demand for athletic footwear.

The country’s two biggest off-pricers, TJX Cos. and Ross Stores, both lifted their outlook for the fourth quarter after reporting third-quarter earnings that exceeded guidance as apparel sales outpaced many of their full-priced competitors. Burlington Stores’ reported results that came in at the lower end of guidance and slightly reduced for the year, but is optimistic that a realigned sales mix emphasizing value will drive sales in the quarters ahead.