Under Armour Inc.’s fourth quarter came in better than expected in the fourth quarter due to strong growth internationally and fewer promotions. But sales in North America dropped 6 percent and a return to growth isn’t expected in the region until at least the second quarter. Patrik Frisk, president and COO, “When you’ve lost space on the shelf you got to earn it back and it takes a little bit of time.”
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699
Transformation Efforts Pay Dividends For Amer Sports In 2018
Amer Sports, which is close to completing its mega-merger with China’s Anta Sports, reported a “solid” fourth quarter with slightly lower earnings but improving sales momentum. The gains were led by its Arc’teryx and Peak Performance apparel brands, strong DTC growth, and accelerated growth in China and the U.S.
Champion Soars Again In Q4
HanesBrands Inc. said its Champion business, excluding the C9 line being phased out at Target, catapulted 50 percent in the fourth quarter, reached $1.36 billion in the full year, and is well on track to hit $2 billion in annual sales by 2022.
Delta Apparel Sees Double-Digit Growth In Q1
Delta Apparel said robust growth for its Salt Life brand and digital print business, DTG2Go, drove a 12.5 percent climb in sales in the first quarter ended December 29, along with a spike in profitability excluding non-recurring items. Improving sales at Soffe and continued strength in fashion basics in its activewear business also supported the gains.
Ugg Powers Deckers Brands To Blowout Holiday Quarter
Tightened segmentation, success reaching men’s, and early cold weather in the U.S. helped drive robust sales for Ugg to help Deckers Brands handily exceed guidance in its holiday quarter. Hoka One One also remained on fire with sales now expected to reach $220 million in its fiscal year.
Fanatics And Nike Increase Domination of Sports Licensing
With deals with Wal-Mart and Major League Baseball (MLB) respectively, Fanatics and Nike continue to take bigger chunks of the fan apparel pie.
Nike And Under Armour Both Earn Stock Upgrades
Cowen on Tuesday raised its rating on Nike to “Outperform” in part because the brand’s strong innovation pipeline and quick-turnaround capabilities are expected to drive margins higher. Goldman Sachs lifted its rating on Under Armour to “Buy” due also to signs of margin improvement near-term along with healthier growth in the long term.
Fanatics Seeking To Expand On Online Marketplaces
At a session at the NRF Big Show in New York City, Michael Rubin, founder and executive chairman of Fanatics, said the company will generate a whopping $2.7 billion to $2.8 billion in revenue in 2019, and also indicated that the company’s next major revenue model will be selling on online marketplaces.
Dick’s Ed Stack Discusses Purposeful Leadership At NRF Big Show
At a session, “Company Conscience: Leading With Conviction,” at the NRF Big Show in New York City, Ed Stack, chairman and CEO at Dick’s Sporting Goods, discussed the retailer’s efforts to ensure a work/life balance for its employees and the retailer’s commitment to community that’s reflected both in its Sports Matter funding program and controversial decision to change its gun policy.
Oboz Footwear Named Official Footwear Of Mount Washington Observatory
Oboz Footwear has entered into a one-year sponsorship agreement with the Mount Washington Observatory (MWO) as its Official Footwear Provider.
CES Show: Data Tracking To Transform Sports
The buzz over wearables in the active space has cooled down with the challenges facing Fitbit, GoPro and others in recent years, but the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) and motion-sensing technology to create a new breed of data-informed athletes was again heard loudly at this week’s CES show in Las Vegas.
Wall Street Reacts: Nike Q219
With better-than-anticipated revenue and gross margins driven by a healthy innovation cycle, an acceleration of growth in North America and continued digital momentum, Nike reported second-quarter earnings and revenues that handily topped Wall Street targets and wowed many analysts. Here’s what some had to say.
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.”
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