EXEC: Sports Direct’s Solid Full Year Performance Offset by Other Parent Company Factors
U.K.-based Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, Everlast, and Evans Cycles, among many others, reported a 7.4 percent decline in sales for its fiscal year ended April 27, as continued sales growth from Sports Direct was offset by moves to right-size other sports banners and weakness in its luxury segment.
KeyBanc Q2 Footwear Survey Finds Nike, Adidas and Hoka Trending Up
The survey of 1,001 U.S. adults conducted between June 25 and July 7, explored respondents footwear ownership, preferences, spending, and outlook. Among demographics, the Top 2 favorite brands for men and women, in order, were Nike and Adidas.
EXEC: Saucony Brand China Retail Growth Relaxes Further in Q2
MS (China) Sports Company Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Xtep International Holdings Limited, operates under licensing and royalty agreements for the Merrell and Saucony brands and subsidiaries in China.
EXEC: Stella Int’l Q2 Footwear Shipment Volume Accelerates, Driven Mainly by Sports Segment
The manufacturer of footwear for Nike, Saucony, Under Armour, Merrell, Timberland and Ugg said Footwear Manufacturing shipment volumes in the second quarter rose 4.1 percent year-over-year and increased 3.8 percent year-over-year for the first half period.
EXEC: Mips AB Saw U.S. Tariff Changes Put a Damper on Q2 Growth
The Sweden-based maker of helmet protection technologies reported net sales increased just 1 percent to SEK 135 million in the 2025 second quarter, due to currency fluctuations. Organic sales growth was 12 percent, far below the 42 percent organic growth posted in the first quarter.
EXEC: Coats Group to Acquire OrthoLite in Move to Reshape Footwear Components Market
The London-based thread manufacturer reached a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based footwear insole maker OrthoLite for $770 million, including debt. The acquisition is reportedly designed to “accelerate the London-based thread manufacturer’s ambition to become a leading supplier of materials to the footwear industry.”
EXEC: Rivian E-Bike Spin-Off Sees $1 Billion Valuation in Latest Funding Round
Also, Inc., led by company President Chris Yu, the former executive of Specialized bike components, has been leading the skunkworks team for the last few years after joining Rivian in January 2022.
EXEC: Giant Group June Bike Shipments Exhibit Worst Decline Since October 2023
June shipments declined 30.0 percent y/y to NT$4.97 billion, bringing the six-month first half period to a decline of 12.4 percent y/y to NT$32.6 billion. The June decline further builds on a 29.3 percent y/y decline in May 2024 and a 17.1 percent y/y decline in April 2025.
EXEC: Thule Group CEO Talks Q2 Upside, 2025 Opportunities and U.S. Gains After Weak Q1
Thule Group President and CEO Mattias Ankarberg said the company’s 16 percent currency-neutral growth in the second quarter was driven by new products and categories, providing clear confirmation to him that the company’s high launch pace during the year has paid off.
EXEC: Fila Brand Delivers MSD China Retail Growth in Q2 for Anta Sports
Retail sales, in retail value, for the Fila brand in China increased in mid-single digits year-over-year in the second quarter, a moderation from the high-single-digit trend in the first quarter.
EXEC: Li Ning Posts LSD Growth in China Retail Sales in Second Quarter
The Offline channel, which includes retail and wholesale, registered a low-single-digit increase. Retail (direct operation) declined by mid-single digits, while Wholesale (franchised distributors) increased by low-single digits. The E-commerce channel registered mid-single-digit growth.
EXEC: JD Sports Fashion Reports Exit of Non-Executive Board Director
Helen Ashton, a non-executive director of the company’s Board of Directors and chair of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee, has reportedly notified the company of her intention to step down to focus on other commitments.
EXEC: Ciele Athletics Partners with Topsports for China Retail Launch
Ciele will soon open its “official online flagship stores” in China and activate offline channels to reach the country’s fast-growing running community.”
EXEC: Beyond Yoga Revenues Climb 12 Percent in Q2 on DTC Momentum
The company’s sales rose 11.9 percent to $36.8 million in Levi Strauss & Co.’s fiscal Q2, ended June 1, boosted by a 30.1 percent growth in the DTC channel, thanks to new store openings.
EXEC: Eagle Creek Owner Travis Campbell Eyes Opportunities in Adventure Travel
In September 2021, Travis Campbell made a leap in acquiring Eagle Creek, a brand that its former owner and his former employer, VF Corp., had planned to discontinue. He talks to SGB Executive about the ongoing reset of Eagle Creek and the opportunities in the adventure travel consumer market.
