EXEC: Titleist Parent Gains Q3 Boost from Healthy U.S. Golf Market

Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist and FootJoy, reported third-quarter earnings and sales topped Wall Street expectations on strength in the U.S. golf market. On an analyst call, David Maher, president and CEO, said the U.S. is outpacing markets overseas in both golf rounds played and consumer spend due to resilient golf enthusiasts.

EXEC: EMS and Bob’s Stores Look to Reignite Growth

In May 2022, GoDigital Media Group acquired Eastern Mountain Sportsand Bob’s Stores for $70 million in cash. SGB Executive talked with Jason Peterson, GoDigital’s CEO, and Dave Barton, president and CEO, Bob’s Stores and EMS, about how the companies is repositioning the banner for growth.

EXEC: Deckers Delivers Blowout Q2 as Hoka Takes Lead in U.S. Run Specialty

Deckers Brands hiked its annual guidance as results for its fiscal second quarter ended September 30 were boosted by an robust recovery at Ugg. However, Hoka’s momentum showed no signs of slowing down with Deckers’s officials telling analysts the brand has become the leading footwear seller in the U.S.-run specialty channel.

Skechers Enters the Basketball Arena

Skechers announced its entry into the technical basketball shoe category by launching two mid-top styles—SKX Resagrip and SKX Float—and signed endorsement deals with Julius Randle of the New York Knicks and Terance Mann of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Circana Delivers Muted Holiday Retail Outlook

Holiday spending is expected to come close to last year’s results but could fall short by as much as 2.5 percent during the traditional November and December shopping season, according to Circana’s annual Holiday Purchase Intentions study. The outlook was slightly improved when holiday sales falling in October are included.

Shimano’s YTD Sales Tumble 20 Percent on Cycling Weakness 

Shimano, Inc.’s sales tumbled 19.8 percent in the nine months as sales in its Bicycle Components segment dropped 24.8 percent with the decline tied to high inventories in the IBD channel. The Japanese-based company nonetheless slightly raised its outlook for the year as orders in the back half weren’t as soft as expected.

EXEC: Vista Outdoor’s Guidance Cut Surprises Wall Street

Analysts said Vista Outdoor’s agreement to sell its Sporting Products segment business to Czechoslovak Group (CSG) for $1.91 billion appeared largely in line with the businesses’ valuation. Vista’s 24 percent stock drop on Monday was attributed to Vista’s sharp guidance cut tied to the deteriorating Outdoor Products business.

EXEC: Volumental’s Brent Hollowell Talks Fit for Feet

Volumental, the Swedish footwear fit tech company, recently hired industry veteran Brent Hollowell as general manager for its North American operations, responsible for accelerating growth in the region. Hollowell talked with SGB Executive about his role, Volumental’s push into North America, the barriers to fit tech, and the potential of generative AI in the fit process.

EXEC: Report Sees Crocs, Hoka, New Balance, and On Increasing Teen Appeal

Crocs, Hoka, New Balance, and On were among the brands in the active lifestyle space that increased their appeal with teens in Piper Sandler’s 46th Semi-Annual Taking Stock With Teens Survey. Nike dominated teen mindshare in footwear and apparel but lost brand appeal in the performance category, while Adidas, Converse, Under Armour, and Vans ost ground with teens. Lululemon had a mixed performance.