SGB Executive Apparel

Asics U.S. Sales Drop 11.5 Percent In First Half
Asics America Group (AAG) reported that sales in the U.S. fell 11.5 percent in the first half year over year. The decline was largely attributed “to market forces and additional retail partner store closings.”

Black Diamond Sees Innovation Driving Robust Back Half
Black Diamond Inc. widened its losses in the second quarter due to stepped-up efforts to jumpstart growth. But its renewed focus on its flagship brand already helped drive top-line growth in the period and officials expect the momentum to continue in the back half of 2017.

Rapha Sold To Sam Walton’s Grandsons
Rapha, the London-based trendy cycling apparel brand, said that U.S.-based RZC Investments, led by Tom Walton with his older brother Steuart, has acquired a majority stake in the company.

West Marine Sees Fatter Margins Offset Lower Q2 Sales
West Marine Inc., which on June 29 agreed to be acquired by a private equity firm, reported basically flat earnings before charges in the second quarter as fewer markdowns offset a small sales decline.

North America Momentum Builds For Adidas
Helped by securing 400 new doors with Dick’s and Foot Locker so far this year, Adidas AG delivered 33 percent growth for the Adidas Brand in the North America region in the second quarter. On a conference call with analysts, Kasper Rorsted, Adidas AG’s CEO, said Adidas Brand has “not had the appropriate distribution” at places like Dick’s and Foot Locker and continues to benefit from greater allocations.

Is Reebok Making Progress?
Reebok is regaining traction in some key parts of the world but continues to see steep declines in North America due to an ongoing extensive reset in the region.

Aisle Talk, Week Of July 31
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.

Callaway Golf Q2 Boosted By Launches
Boosted by a strong response to the launch of its EPIC driver and Chrome Soft golf ball franchises, Callaway Golf Company reported operating earnings in the second quarter more than doubled as sales ran up 24 percent.

Newell Brands’ Play Segment Impacted By Fishing Destocking
Solid growth on Beverages, Coolers and Team Sports was more than offset by a decline in Fishing related to broad retail inventory destocking across specialty and mass retailers and the negative impact of the Gander Mountain bankruptcy.
Dorel Sports Fights Off Top-Line Challenges With Improved Profitability
Dorel Sports, which owns Cannondale, Schwinn and Sugoi, again saw a sharp decline in revenues due to continued challenges in the cycling space and inclement weather, but underlying earnings improved on fatter margins.

How Did Salt Lake’s Last Outdoor Retailer Show Go?
While traffic appeared light, as expected, at last week’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, hearts were heavy given the show’s exit from Salt Lake City for the first time in 22 years.

Gildan Activewear’s Q2 Boosted By Margin Gains
Gildan Activewear Inc. said it expects its earnings for the year to now come in at the high end of its guidance range after reporting strong margin improvement drove healthy second-quarter earnings.

Cabela’s Struggles Continue In Q2
In likely its last earnings report as a publicly traded company, Cabela’s blamed its poor performance on the slowdown in firearms sales since the presidential election, the Gander Mountain bankruptcy, and tough comparisons due to a number of shooting tragedies in the first half of 2016.

Champion’s Sales Expand 7 Percent In Q2
Hanesbrands Inc. said sales of Champion grew 7 percent globally in the second quarter, boosted by strength in Europe and online globally. Champion is also expected to grow at a high-single digit rate for the balance of the year.

Delta Apparel’s Manufacturing Realignment Paying Dividends
Delta Apparel Inc. reported another quarter of impressive earnings gains. A realignment of its manufacture structure continues to feed efficiencies and cost savings that’s offsetting weakness in its Soffe and Salt Life brands in traditional sporting goods channels.