Wolverine World Wide reported earnings topped guidance in the first quarter and four of its major brands – Merrell, Saucony, Cat and Wolverine – exceeded internal sales expectations. Overall sales came in below expectations due to a downturn in the boat shoe market and weak re-orders that particularly impacted Sperry.
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699

Sequential Brands’ Active Portfolio Gains Further Traction In Q1
Sequential Brands Group Inc. reported first-quarter earnings on an adjusted basis came in below plan due to transition challenges of licensing agreements at its Fashion segment. The company’s Active brands, led by Gaiam, And1 and Avia, continue to see strong growth
Retail Imports Rising Ahead Of Expected Higher Tariffs
Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to see unusually high levels the remainder of this spring and through the summer, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released May 9 by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “Much of this is driven by consumer demand but retailers are likely […]

Sturm, Ruger Again Faces Activists At Annual Meeting
Sturm, Ruger & Company Inc. reported another quarter of double-digit declines with so signs of a pickup in the firearms market while yet again facing a number of gun-control activists at its annual meeting.
Crocs Shines In Q1
Crocs Inc. reported first-quarter earnings that handily topped Wall Street’s targets as sales topped expectations. Revenues benefited from its fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit DTC comp growth but growth accelerated overall with demand for Classic clogs in the Americas region exceeding supply.

Adidas Continues Hot Streak In Q1
Adidas AG reported first-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s targets as the company benefited from strong growth in China and online as well as significantly higher gross margins. More encouragingly, strong spring launches are expected to set the stage for accelerated growth in the second half and the supply-chain issues slowing growth in North America are expected to be resolved by the end of the year.

Under Armour Believes North America Has Stabilized
Under Armour’s earnings and sales that topped analysts’ expectations due to healthy overseas growth and efficiencies gained from its extensive restructuring efforts and stringent inventory controls. The most encouraging sign, however, was that the North America region is stabilizing.

Gildan Activewear Q1 Dragged Down By Lower Imprintables Restocking
Gildan Activewear reported a steep decline in earnings in the first quarter, as expected, as sales were impacted by lower levels of distributor restocking. Higher raw material and other input cost pressures also pressured margins.

Fitbit Tops Guidance On Robust Smartwatch Sales
FtbIit Inc.’s first-quarter results topped expectations, driven by a 117 percent hike in smartwatch sales. Another encouraging development was tracker device sales rising for the first time since the third quarter of 2016.

Unifi Lowers Outlook Again
Unifi Inc. for the third quarter in a row lowered its outlook for the year due to competitive pressures in the polyester space, especially from low-cost imports heading into the U.S.

Big 5 Delivers Robust First Quarter But Weak Outlook
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. delivered a strong first quarter as cold weather boosted its winter business. But the California-based sporting goods chain also warned of a loss in the current quarter due to a later Easter this year and also warned that overall sales appear soft.

Modell’s Fight For Survival
In a comprehensive interview with SGB Executive, Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Good’s, discusses the retailer’s frantic outreach efforts to save the company following reports of a possible bankruptcy filing. Plans to further stabilize and improve the business were also detailed.

Puma’s Q1 Boosted By Promising Start To Basketball
With robust growth in China and the U.S. and a healthy reception to its return to performance basketball, Puma SE kicked off the year with its strongest quarter ever. Said Bjørn Gulden, “The growth in all regions and all product divisions shows that we continue to make progress.”

Lululemon Looks To Double-Down on Men’s, Digital And International
Lululemon Athletica, at its first analyst day in five years and first under new CEO Calvin McDonald, unveiled a five-year growth plan to double its men’s and digital businesses and quadruple its international business. Surprises include its planned expansion of fitness accessories, including rollers and training gloves, and its entry into the footwear category.

DSW Wants To Be Best Buy Of The Footwear Space
At its Investor Meeting on Tuesday, DSW officials unveiled a new name change, Designer Brands, to herald their extensive efforts to reinvent the company’s business model with last November’s acquisition of Camuto Group. At the event, Roger Rawlins, CEO, cited competition from vendors going direct-to-consumer (DTC) as a main reason for the change, even bigger than any threat from Amazon.