EXEC: Academy Sports CEO Remains Bullish on Sales Recovery

Academy Sports and Outdoors missed Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the second straight quarter on lower-than-expected sales but Steve Lawrence, CEO, told analysts he remains confident growth will improve in coming quarters as the chain benefits from a focus on newness and value while capitalizing on key selling occasions over the year.

Under Armour Partners With USA Football

As the official and exclusive uniform, apparel and footwear partner of USA Football, including the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams, UA will also outfit the first Olympic team for the 2028 Summer Games as flag football and USA Football’s U.S. National Teams make their Olympic debut.

Academy Sports’ Q1 Earnings Miss Wall Street Targets

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported first-quarter earnings on an adjusted basis slid 20.8 percent and came in lower than analyst expectations for the second straight quarter. Same-store sales were down 5.7 percent, and gross margins were off slightly. Steve Lawrence, CEO, said, “Our customers remain under pressure in the current economic environment.”

Le Coq Sportif Parent Posts Loss In 2023

Airesis, the Swiss holding company that owns the Le Coq Sportif French sports brand and Movement skis, recorded a negative EBITDA of CHF 20 million ($22 mm) and a net loss of CHF 36 million ($40 mm) in 2023.

April Golf Rounds Show Slight Gain

Golf Datatech, which has agreed to be acquired by Circana, reported that the national rounds of golf played were up 0.8 percent for the month of April year over year and are up 4.2 percent in the first four months of the year.

Pashley Cycles Appoints CEO

Pashley Group Limited, the parent of U.K.-based Pashley Cycles, named Andy Smallwood to the role of CEO. Most recently, Smallwood was the CEO of Ribble Cycles.