Owned by Los Angeles-based GoDigital Media Group, Bob’s Stores and EMS are closing some stores and will layoff employees beginning June 14 as it company faces liquidity woes.
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699
EXEC: Academy Sports CEO Remains Bullish on Sales Recovery
Academy Sports and Outdoors missed Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the second straight quarter on lower-than-expected sales but Steve Lawrence, CEO, told analysts he remains confident growth will improve in coming quarters as the chain benefits from a focus on newness and value while capitalizing on key selling occasions over the year.
EXEC: Vista Outdoor Receives New Bid For Ammo Business, JDH Capital Reported Bidder
Vista Outdoor reported it received an all-cash $2 billion takeover offer for its ammunition business from an unnamed private U.S. investment firm. JDH Capital, the investment group run by Texas oil billionaire Jeffrey Hildebrand, is behind a new bid, sources told the Financial Times.
EXEC: Havaianas owner Alpargatas Shows Modest Growth In Q1
Alpargatas, the Brazilian parent of the Havaianas, Rothy’s and Ioasys brands, reported net revenue reached Brazil Real (R$)931.8 million in the first quarter, climbing 3.2 percent compared to the same period in 2022. For the flagship Havaianas brand, strength in Brazil offset declines in the U.S. and Europe.
EXEC: Solo Brands CEO Outlines Early Progress on Turnaround Plan
Solo Brands, Inc. reported first-quarter sales and adjusted EBITDA topped expectations and noted progress is being made in repositioning its brands for growth. On an analyst call, Chris Metz, CEO, said Solo Stove saw improving DTC trends while Chubbies benefited from the early arrival of a shorts campaign.
EXEC: Yeti Shares Jump as Q1 ProfIts and Revenue Fly Past Estimates
Shares of Yeti, Inc. jumped about 11 percent Thursday after the company reported that lower freight and product costs drove first-quarter earnings well above Wall Street targets, leading to raised EPS guidance for the year. Sales grew by double-digits for the second consecutive quarter.
EXEC: Vista Outdoor Sees Another Tough Year Ahead
Vista Outdoor, Inc.’s fourth-quarter results met expectations with sales at its Kinetic Group ammunition segment reaching the lower end of guidance while the Revelyst outdoor segment grew organically for the first time in nine quarters. However, conservative guidance was provided for the new fiscal year as market conditions in both the hunt and outdoor channel remain challenging.
EXEC: Topgolf Callaway CEO Eyes Sales Pickup for Golf Businesses in Back Half
Topgolf Callaway Brands reduced its sales outlook for the year due to weakness at Jack Wolfskin and currency headwinds seen in the first quarter, but officials on an analyst call said that overall profitability came in significantly better than expected and its Topgolf and Golf Equipment segments are both positioned to accelerate growth in the second half.
EXEC: Puma CEO Sees U.S. Returning to Growth in Second Half
Puma’s sales in the Americas region returned to growth in the first quarter due to gains in Latin America and overall strength in performance and retro footwear styles. North America delivered sequential improvement and remains on track to resume growth in the second half, Puma officials said on a media call.
Topgolf Callaway Lowers FY Sales Outlook on Wolfskin Softness, FX Headwinds
Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. reported sales were in line and earnings topped expectations in the first quarter as strength at Topgolf and in the Golf Equipment segment offset double-digit declines in its Active Lifestyle. Full-year guidance was maintained for adjusted earnings but lowered for sales due to currency headwinds and weakness at Jack Wolfskin.
EXEC: Active Lifestyle Stocks Miss Market Rally in 2023
The broader stock market saw a robust recovery in 2023 but the majority of stocks in the active lifestyle space underperformed, marked by declines by industry bellwethers including Nike, VF Corp. and Columbia Sportswear.
EXEC: Amer Sports Files for U.S. IPO
The parent of Wilson, Salomon, Arc-Teryx, and other sports and outdoor brands, filed for a long-expected U.S. initial public offering. In its prospectus, Amer touted the benefits of its “Transformation” program following its 2019 acquisition by an Anta Sports-led investor group that led to a brand-direct model, rapidly owned store expansion and accelerated growth in China.
EXEC: Outdoor Active Lifestyle Market Leaders Share 2024 Outlook
Feedback unique to this group versus the broader market was the focus on sustainability, responsible sourcing, new technologies focused on renewable and reusable components and textiles, and the looming impact of new rules governing the use of PFAS and its impact on the market.
EXEC: 2024 Look Ahead with Active Lifestyle Market Leaders
SGB Executive reached out to key leaders in the Active Lifestyle space to share their outlook for 2023. This first installment includes a cross-section of insights from Academy Sports + Outdoors, Baird, Fleet Feet, Gore, NSGA, Ortholite, Thermore, RIA, and more.
2023 Year in Review: Active Lifestyle M&A Activity Slows—Part II
Fewer major deals were executed across the active lifestyle space in 2023 amid rising interest rates and persistent economic uncertainty but several tuck-ins and smaller to medium-size acquisitions were inked. Still, SGB Media found a few key trends expected to continue into 2024.