Helped by vibrant sales at its higher-margin retail segment and steps to improve efficiencies at company-operated manufacturing facilities, Rocky Brands Inc. reported earnings on an adjutted basis rose 28.6 percent in the fourth quarter ended December 31.
Category: Outdoor

Rocky Brands Q4 Profitability Shows Further Improvement
Rocky Brands Inc. reported earnings rose 28.6 percent in the fourth quarter on an adjusted basis. The gains reflect improved gross margins due to segment mix, increased manufacturing efficiencies and improved full priced selling. Wholesale sales increased 3.4 percent.
Kathmandu Announces North American Sales Teams
Kathmandu, the New Zealand travel and adventure brand, announced new sales representation in the Pacific Northwest, Rockies, and Southwest by The Alta Group, Urban Outdoors, and Pacific Crest Trading accordingly.
Tariff Hike Postponed
On Sunday, President Donald Trump delayed the March 1 deadline to increase tariffs on Chinese goods, citing “substantial progress” during a week of trade talks in Washington, D.C. between U.S. and Chinese officials.
RECALL: SRAM Bicycle Gear Hubs
About 7,000 bicycle gear hubs from SRAM are being recalled. SRAM has received five reports of brake failure, resulting in one minor injury to a rider.
RECALL: Shearwater Diving Transmitters
About 900 yellow diving pressure transmitters from Shearwater are being recalled.

Retail Reports Roundup
Retail studies arrived over the last two weeks on the value of in-person customer service, in-app spending growth, mobile payments, virtual assistants, supply chain digitization and more…
Stio Names Noah Waterhouse President And Chief Marketing Officer
Stio, the mountain lifestyle brand based in Jackson Hole, WY, announced the promotion of Noah Waterhouse as its president and chief marketing officer.
Fitch Downgrades Newell Brands To Junk Status
Fitch Ratings downgraded Newell Brands Inc.’s long-term issuer default rating to BB-plus from BBB-minus, lowering it to speculative-grade, or “junk” status, from investment grade.
Arc’teryx’s Sales Grew 11 percent In 2018
Amer Sports issued its annual report review for 2018 that showed Arc’teryx’s sales grew 11 percent last year to drive growth across Softgoods, a strategic growth priority for the company.

Trade Talks Showing Some Positive Signals
Facing a March 1 deadline before tariffs on some $200 billion in Chinese imports rise, Chinese and U.S. negotiators held high level talks Thursday and Friday in Washington D.C. The discussions come amid signs of progress on resolving some issues in the seven-month trade dispute.
Report: U.S. And China Trade Talks Making Significant Progress
The U.S. and China have made the most significant progress to date in their trade talks, outlining commitments in areas such as intellectual property rights, services, currency and agriculture barriers to trade, Reuters reported.

Wolverine’s Shares Sink On Cautious Guidance
Wolverine World Wide reported sales came in slightly below Wall Street’s expectations but are expected to accelerate to mid-single digit growth in the back half of 2019 due to an expected turnaround at Saucony and accelerated growth at Merrell and Sperry. EPS guidance for 2019, however, came in below expectations as the company plans to ramp up brand-building efforts this year.
RECALL: Turkey Fryers Sold By Academy
About 3,000 Outdoor Gourmet Turkey Keg turkey fryers sold by Academy Sports + Outdoors store are being recalled.

Wolverine’s Q4 Boosted By Momentum At Merrell And Sperry
Wolverine World Wide reported earnings on an adjusted basis grew 27 percent in the fourth quarter, helped by improving margins and a sharp reduction in operating expenses. Revenues inched up 0.2 percent and benefited from accelerated revenue growth from Merrell and Sperry.