EXEC: Giant Group May Bike Shipments Crater Nearly 30 Percent
May shipments declined 29.3 percent y/y to NT$5.06 billion, pushing the five-month year-to-date period to a decline of 8.3 percent y/y to NT$27.6 billion. The May decline builds on a 7.3 percent decline in May 2024.
EXEC: Switchback Spring 2025 Through the Eyes of the Industry
Sights and sounds from the inaugural Switchback Spring event in Nashville, Tennessee, featuring photos from show attendees, exhibitors and Outdoor Industry Association.
EXEC: Bain Study Sees Luxury Sector Facing Soft Second Half
Luxury consumption is expected to contract 2 percent to 5 percent for the year, according to a recent report from Bain & Company, across key luxury categories, as price fatigue and macroeconomic turbulence continue to weigh on consumers
EXEC: Switchback Spring Brings Energy Back to a National Outdoor Show
While energy was high and attitude was positive, the show, unfortunately, did not escape the usual backroom banter and aisle talk about the venue’s few shortcomings, particularly about timing. Diversified will need to be cautious about whom they listen to and the motives of those pushing in each direction, as the outdoor industry risks a déjà vu event with this new potential gem.
EXEC: Boulder’s Full Cycle Bikes & Colorado Multisport Acquired by Mike’s Bikes
Mike’s Bikes, the 18-store bike retail chain based out of California’s Marin County, has acquired Boulder’s Full Cycle Bikes & Colorado Multisport in an all-cash deal. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Report: Nike to Delay Launch of NikeSkims
Reuters is reporting that Nike’s launch of its planned NikeSkims activewear brand in the U.S. has been delayed as the two companies work to get the product right, according to a company spokesperson.
EXEC: Rip Curl Inches Up, Oboz Sinks for Parent KMD’s YTD Period
Rip Curl global direct-to-consumer sales continued to grow year-over-year (YOY) through the second half of fiscal 2025 to-date, with strong comparable sales results in North American flagship stores.
EXEC: Yakima to Transition DACH Region Distribution to Grofa Action Sports GmbH
Grofa Action Sports GmbH will serve as exclusive distributor in the Germany, Austria and Switzerland region, effective August 1, 2025. Phobos will transition to a distributor at that time for Czechia and Slovakia and as a Master Distributor for select developing markets in Europe.
EXEC: Nike Faces Needham Price Target Cut on Slow Recovery
Needham analysts trimmed their price target on Nike to $66 from $75 amid ongoing weakness in brand momentum and a slower-than-expected path to recovery. Needham’s Tom Nikic wrote, “NKE still faces headwinds from rationalizing over-supplied product franchises (Jordan, Dunk), brand heat still appears to be lukewarm, and they now have tariffs to contend with as well.”
EXEC: Koroyd, Smith, and Burton Settle U.S. Patent Dispute with Exclusive Patent License Agreements
Under the settlement terms, WaveCel technology is now restricted to use solely by Burton in those licensed, redesigned snow sports helmets, and may not be offered, supplied, or integrated with any other brands or partners in the snow sports helmet market.
EXEC: OIA Study Finds Outdoor Stores Still Missing Emerging Casual Consumers
At a session this week at Switchback Spring being held in Nashville, Kelly Davis, director of research at the Outdoor Industry Association, highlighted new consumer research that shows the outdoor space remains fixated on “Core” consumers at the expense of reaching the more “Active” and “Casual” participants.
EXEC: Bata Group Names Former Ecco CEO to Succeed Outgoing CEO Sandeep Kataria
Bata Group, the Swiss-based multinational footwear manufacturer and retailer, has appointed Panos Mytaros, formerly the CEO of Ecco, as its global CEO, effective September 15, 2025. He will succeed current CEO Sandeep Kataria as part of its succession plan.
EXEC: Havaianas Parent Inks North America Distribution Deal
The company stated that the Distribution Agreement does not foresee any initial cash outflow for either party and will have an initial length of four years commencing from the date of its execution. The agreement may be extended if certain previously agreed-upon metrics are met or by mutual agreement.
EXEC: Academy’s Chief Merchant Talks Jordan Launch, Nike Brand Success, Tariff Disruption
Following the retailer’s first-quarter results report, Academy’s EVP and Chief Merchant Matt McCabe added more highlights from the business, including the promise to introduce the Jordan brand, a strong response to expanding Nike product and market share gains among higher-income households.
EXEC: Trump Announces U.S. and China Have Reached Trade Deal With 55 percent Tariff
President Donald Trump declared the trade war with China “done” Wednesday, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariffs on Chinese goods will be locked in at the current 55 percent rate without additional increases.
