Author: Thomas J. Ryan

The owners at Charm City Run, Big Peach Running, Brooklyn Running and Playmakers discussed their challenges and opportunities ahead in the face of COVID-19. Elevated inventories and following social-distancing guidelines were among their concerns. New digital tools, a localization push and running’s newfound popularity among home-bound Americans offer some hope.

Adidas on Monday reported a 19 percent drop in sales for the first quarter, as more than 70 percent of its stores worldwide remain closed as a result of Covid-19. For the second quarter, officials forecast a loss as currency-neutral sales are expected to sink more than 40 percent.

Describing it as the “most unusual earnings call in our 21 years of being a public company,” David Weinberg, COO at Skechers USA, stressed that the footwear giant has taken the necessary steps to weather the fallout from COVID-19 and believes the brand is well-positioned to benefit when stores re-open. The troubling question, he admitted, is when will stores re-open.

TRX, the maker of functional training equipment and training content, is paying it back to fitness trainers that have driven the company’s robust growth amid COVID-19 challenges while taking steps to it pay it forward to consumers stuck at home. Here, Founder Randy Hetrick talks about how COVID-19 is elevating the opportunity in home fitness, the potential shake out in fitness, and what he believes will be some personal growth opportunities created by the crisis.

Wolverine Worldwide reported first-quarter sales tumbled 16 percent as business in March evaporated due to COVID-19. But company officials said they have quickly embraced a six-point plan to accelerate online sales and help it generate $150 million to $200 million of operating cash flow in 2020.

Many members of Gen Z are struggling with adolescence and now have to deal with COVID-19. A number of surveys have detailed the challenges younger generations are facing handling social distancing restrictions and COVID-19’s potential fallout. 

Catic Wellness Group (CW Group) has taken draconian steps to open up its fitness clubs again in China, including mandating that members work out in masks and take temperature checks, installing disinfection stations throughout premises, and banning showers. But the fact that the clubs re-opened could provide a path and some hope for other fitness clubs struggling to envision re-opening.

Delta Apparel Inc. said COVID-19’s spread led to a sales decline in its second quarter ended March 28 and warned sales would be “dramatically lower” in the third quarter. On a conference call, the activewear company further said it furloughed 300 U.S. workers as part of steps to preserve liquidity. On a positive note, officials noted that 25 percent of its business isn’t being impacted by the virus.

“This is a humbling time given the uncertainty of the path the health crisis will take and its impact on the economy,” Jim Weber, the CEO of Brooks Running Company, said in an interview with SGB Executive. Weber talks about the many ways COVID-19 has impacted Brooks, the brand’s recovery plan and running’s fresh appeal amid shelter-at-home life.

With no signs of a coronavirus vaccine arriving anytime s soon, when it’s safe to play, many are uncertain and related concerns have been found in recent surveys. Even solo activities such as running and cycling are also facing challenges with social distancing guidelines and restrictions.

Tom Cove, SFIA’s president and CEO, believes the sporting goods industry is still scrambling to offset the fallout from the pandemic. But he also believes many have “settled in a little bit” into how to manage amid the crisis and have started to position themselves to be ready for better business conditions.

A number of surveys arriving in recent days have detailed the severe impact social distancing measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 has had on U.S. retail and prospects in the near term. Some cautious optimism, however, could be found.

According to Running USA’s “National Runner Survey 2020,” social media continues to play an increasing role in enabling runners to connect with running stores, running brands as well as the overall running community. Thirty-nine percent of runners now follow running stores and 32 percent follow running brands on social media. The favorite running shoe brand among survey respondents by far was Brooks, followed by Asics, New Balance, Nike and Saucony.

Officials from Monument Advocacy, a leading, bipartisan government and public affairs firm in Washington, D.C., Thursday, in a webinar held by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), provided a deep dive into what the $2 trillion stimulus package, called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, means for businesses and workers.