Nike North America Bounces Back To Near Double Digit Growth In Q2

Led by a continued resurgence in North America, accelerated growth in China and continued gangbuster digital growth, Nike reported Q2 earnings and sales easily topped Wall Street’s targets and lifted its guidance for the year. Said Andy Campion, CFO, “As we’re beginning to gain greater insight into fiscal year ’20, we’re seeing continued strong demand.”

Holiday Reports Point To Merry Retail Haul

With a few days to go, reports continue to arrive indicating the retail industry is heading for record holiday sales. Here, the latest holiday insights around online selling, last-minute procrastinators, returns, BOPIS demand, millennial gifting and more.

SFIA: Experiences Driving Fitness

With health club memberships at an all-time high, increasing by more than 6 percent in the last year alone, opportunity in the fitness industry is looking bright. But it’s largely driven by experiences, according to a webinar covering SFIA’s “2018 Tracking the Fitness Movement Report.”

OIA Webinar: Tariff War Likely Driving Extensive Supply Chain Changes

In a seminar presented by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), trade experts at KPMG said the U.S./China tariff war may end but the underlying geo-political issues impacting overall trade won’t any time soon. As a result, a holistic “intelligent supply chain” approach that encompasses both customs and supply chain planning will be required in the future.

Tariff Talk: How Is The Industry Responding?

GoPro last week announced plans to move most of its U.S.-bound camera production out of China by the summer of 2019 to mitigate the potential impact of inclusion on any new tariff lists. With significant uncertainty continuing, here’s an update from a few industry execs from third-quarter conference calls on what they’re planning to do to mitigate the potential tariff impact.

Lids Finds New Turnaround Partner In Fanzz

While ending up with a skimpier price than hoped for, Genesco finally found a buyer for Lids to enable the company to re-focus on its footwear platforms. For its part, Lids hopefully found a new major partner, Fanzz-owner Ames Watson Capital, and minor partner, Fanatics, to help further stabilize the struggling business.

Wall Street Reacts: Under Armour’s Investor Day

Most analysts applauded the progress Under Armour is making instilling greater operational and financial disciplines under its transformation efforts. Some were also encouraged by the innovation on display Wednesday at the company’s Investor Day in Baltimore. But growth concerns, particularly in North America, and overall execution issues in the competitive landscape continued to worry many on Wall Street.

Under Armour Predicts Slow Recovery On Investor Day

At its Investor Day Wednesday in Baltimore, Under Armour officials touted early paybacks in its Transformation efforts and the brand’s ability tap into a Focused Performer consumer that globally represents $92 billion in revenue potential. But shares of Under Armour fell sharply on the day as Under Armour forecast only modest growth in the years ahead, including little pickup in North America.

DSW Eyes Highest Annual EPS Since 2013

Shares of DSW Inc. rose $1,88, or 8.1 percent, to $25.01 Tuesday after the off-price footwear chain posted its second consecutive quarter of strong comp and EPS growth. Earnings easily topped Wall Street’s targets and DSW lifted its annual guidance for second consecutive quarter and predicted it would rack up its highest annual EPS since 2013.

ACSM Survey: Wearable Technology Top Fitness Trend For 2019

According to the 13th annual Fitness Trends survey from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), wearable technology is forecast to stand out as next year’s most popular trend, climbing from 3 the prior year. Group Training and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) are expected to remain in high demand. Programs seeing notable expansion included Fitness Programs for Older Adults, Mobile Exercise Apps and Workplace Well-Being Programs

American Outdoor Brands Find Bundling Jumpstarts Firearms Growth

Despite ongoing weakness in firearms demand, American Outdoor Brands, the parent of Smith & Wesson, managed to post a 10.2 percent gain in revenues in its firearms segment in the second quarter ended October 31. The improvement stemmed from a successful ‘bundle’ promotions booked earlier in the year and shipped in the second quarter

Zumiez Boosted By Healthy Streetwear Trends

With a number of its streetwear labels riding strong popularity with teens, Zumiez Inc. reported earnings rose 16.0 percent in the third quarter ended November 3 to $13.8 million, or 55 cents per share, exceeding guidance calling for earnings in the range of 45 to 51 cents.

Run Specialty Re-Finds Its Stride

With a spurt of innovation, a healthy shake-out of stores, and a number of nimble adjustments to the changing retail landscape, run specialty is back in growth mode, according to participants at last week’s The Running Event in Austin.

Tariff War Far From Over

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Saturday to a temporary trade cease-fire to allow time for more negotiations but trade experts are doubtful that 90 days will be enough time to resolve the thorny and complicated issues that divide the two countries.