EXEC: Nike’s Stock Nets “Buy” Upgrade on Leadership Changes
Nike scored its first rating upgrade since news arrived of Elliot Hill’s appointment as CEO. Truist Securities’ Joe Civello believes Nike’s increasingly veteran-driven management team will be able to revive marketing and innovation, including better promoting Caitlin Clark, while further repairing wholesale relationships. Selling direct on Amazon was also cited as a “game-changer” opportunity.
EXEC: Anta Sports Sees Fila’s China Retail Sales Turn Negative in Q3
The company is the largest shareholder of Arc’teryx, Wilson and Salomon parent Amer Sports, and also runs retail stores in China for the Anta brand, Fila, Descente, Kolon Sport, and Amer Sports.
EXEC: Ten Takeaways from SFIA’s 2024 Team Sports Report
SFIA’s 2024 U.S. Trends in Team Sports Report included some concerning findings, including continued deterioration in Core participation, but overall had more positive findings than negative, including momentum behind girls’ participation, improving participation rates for lower-income households, and team sports overall recovering smartly from the pandemic. SGB Media highlights 10 takeaways from the report.
EXEC: Swedish Investment Firm Merges Five Companies into Single Sports/Active Entity
Storskogen companies Ullmax, JO Sport, Tennis fashion, Racketdoktorn and On Target have merged into the joint company ASHE, which now constitutes a leading Nordic distribution, sales and marketing partner within sports and active lifestyle.
EXEC: Giant Group Returns to a Sales Decline in September Versus Easy Comps
The Taiwan-based bike manufacturer reported a 4.8 percent year-over-year decrease in sales for the month to NT$6.03 billion. The decline comes after a 16.6 percent increase in July and a 2.0 percent increase in August shipments.
EXEC: September Footwear Factory Shipments Shine as Key Nike Factory Returns to Growth
Yue Yuen’s Manufacturing business boasted a 26.7 percent year-over-year increase in September, while Feng Tay reported Manufacturing revenues inched up 1.3 percent to NT$6.82 billion in September.
EXEC: Precor Partners with SPIA Cycling Stages Cycling Distribution
Under the terms of the agreement, Precor will serve as the North American distributor for Stages Cycling’s commercial product lines, with distribution rights expanding to additional regions worldwide
EXEC: Piper Sandler Survey Finds Adidas, Hoka, On, New Balance and Ugg Gaining Teen’s Attention
Piper Sandler’s 48th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens Survey for Fall 2024 latest teen survey found Nike, Lululemon, Converse and Crocs highly popular but losing mindshare. Adidas, Hoka, On, New Balance and Ugg have gained in popularity.
EXEC: Hydro Flask Grows as Osprey Shrinks in Fiscal Q2 Period
Hydro Flask successfully launched into Costco, a key retailer for an expanded target consumer. The brand also reportedly benefited from strong distribution internationally with sales up in all key markets. Hydro Flask reportedly successfully launched its photography accessories line.
EXEC: Amer Sports Shares Results of Golden Week in Greater China
The parent of Arx’teryx, Salomon and Wilson Sports said it continues to see an outsized growth opportunity in China, notably in the outdoor segment, which has been resilient despite the weak economy.
Survey: Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Want to Shop Local More
Lending Tree’s online survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, taken from August 12-14, 2024, found that 90 percent of respondents believe shopping locally positively impacts the quality of their life.
EXEC: Is The Vista Outdoor Bidding War Finally Over?
Vista’s Outdoor’s moves over the weekend to find a buyer for the Revelyst outdoor business and receive yet another higher offer for its Kinetic Group ammunition and firearms business should be enough to secure shareholder approval and avoid another hostile bid, according to several analysts following the stock.
EXEC: JD Sports Reports Fidelity Subsidiaries Fall Below 5 Percent Voting Rights
FMR LLC has seen its voting rights percentage fall below the 5 percent threshold for reporting purposes to 4.95 percent of JD voting rights. JD Sports is the parent of the JD, Hibbett, Finish Line, DTLR, and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S.
EXEC: Footwear Retailers Score Winning Fiscal Q2; BTS Had Solid Start
SGB Media wraps up the fiscal second quarter for footwear sales, as retailers generally delivered a healthy performance across the specialty, family footwear, and sporting goods space—with many helped by strength in athletic brands and a good start to back-to-school selling.
EXEC: Outdoor Industry Association Partners With Switchback Trade Show
OIA ended its 30-year partnership with Outdoor Retailer trade show this past July and will now support a twice-annual outdoor trade show. The year-round partnership will debut at the inaugural Switchback Spring in Nashville, TN from June 16 to 18, 2025.
