Author: Thomas J. Ryan

Barneys New York Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection with a plans to close 15 of its 22 stores. The luxury chain plans to seek a buyer for the slimmed-down business and negotiate rent reductions with landlords. Moncler and Canada Goose were among vendors landing on the top-30 unsecured creditors list that read like a who’s who of fashion.

Johnson Outdoors Inc. reported Q3 sales improved 3 percent due to strength in its Fishing segment. Earnings declined modestly due to investments in online capabilities and the impact of tariffs.

While reporting Q2 earnings that missed estimates, Dorel industries’ officials described the U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made goods as the “most significant risk” to second-half results while indicating they’re causing “chaos” in the marketplace.

Asics North America sales inched up 0.8 percent but it was enough to mark its second straight quarter of growth. The gains were led by “strong sales of the Core Performance Sports category and steady sales of the Performance Running category.” Online sales jumped 39.9 percent.

Sturm, Ruger & Company Inc.’s sales in the second quarter plunged 25 percent and earnings fell even further. The results were hurt by the bankruptcy of the Ellett Brothers on top of continued stagnant demand for firearms.

Champion’s revenues, excluding the C9 brand being phased out at Target, jumped more than 50 percent in the second quarter despite facing tougher comparisons. HanesBrands, Champion’s parent, said the marked the eighth consecutive quarter that Champion’s growth globally has been at or above 30 percent.

Shares of Fitbit fell 21 percent on Thursday after the company slashed guidance for the full year and indicating it was changing its approach to pricing and promotions as sales of the Versa Lite smartwatch fell short of targets. Fitness tracker sales rebounded in the second quarter, but the company’s streak of quarterly revenue growth will end in the third quarter.

Boosted by booming sales in China, accelerated growth in the U.S. and Europe, and broad-based growth across categories, Puma reported second-quarter results that topped analysts’ targets and lifted its guidance for the year.

Shares of Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. jumped 48 cents, or 29.1 percent, to $2.13 Wednesday after the West-Coast sporting goods chain’s comps rose for the third-straight quarter, quarterly earnings topped guidance, and its balance sheet improved. Robust earnings gains were also forecast for the third quarter.

Under Armour’s second-quarter results were basically in line with expectations and officials indicated that the company’s strategic transformation program is progressing on plan. Shares of Under Armour, however, fell 12.2 percent on Tuesday as sales targets for North America for the year were reduced and Q3 results were guided below Wall Street expectations.

Shares in Sports Direct plunged to an eight-year low in Monday’s trading as the U.K.-based retailer detailed the troubled state of the recently-acquired House of Fraser department store chain and a surprise massive tax bill. But analysts were most concerned over the underperforming core Sports Direct chain and the company’s strained relationships with Nike, Adidas and other key sports brands.

Deckers Brands said Ugg continued to gain traction with spring offerings to help the company exceed guidance in the first quarter. But the star of the show was Hoka One One, where growth accelerated on the back of strong launches of the Carbon X and Clifton 6. Dave Powers, president and CEO, reiterated past comments that he sees Hoka on the path to becoming a $500 million brand while admitting “the real opportunity is probably bigger than that.”

Hyperice first disrupted the recovery space with the 2015 invention of the first vibrating roller, the Vyper, and did it again last year with the Hypervolt, the breakout handheld massage tool. SGB Executive talked to Jim Huether, CEO of Hyperice, about the company’s beginnings, the brands’ aggressive move into esports, and why the recovery opportunity is only getting started.