SGB Executive Apparel

EXEC: Puma SE Names New CEO and Chair of Management Board; Freundt to Exit
Puma SE’s Supervisory Board has appointed Arthur Hoeld as chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Puma SE, effective July 1, 2025. Due to differing views on strategy execution, Arne Freundt, CEO of Puma SE, and the Supervisory Board have mutually agreed that he will step down as CEO on April 11, 2025.

EXEC: Decathlon’s 2024 Profit Falls as Sales Rise; New CEO Appointed
Javier López has been appointed as chief executive officer, replacing Barbara Martin Coppola who has served in the CEO role since March 2022.

EXEC: Trump Tariffs Hit Active Lifestyle Stocks Hard; Vietnam Hit a Big Surprise
At issue for many in the active lifestyle market, including sporting goods, footwear, apparel, and outdoor, is the impact on goods sourced in Vietnam after many companies invested considerable time and capital in moving production there from China.

EXEC: Intersport Posts Tepid 2024 Omni-Channel Sales Growth to €14.0 Bn
Despite a challenging business landscape, Intersport saw particularly positive 2024 growth in its French, Italian and Swiss markets, as well as an upward trend in several specific categories, including Sportstyle, Football and Running.

EXEC: Sportsman’s Warehouse Shares Surge as Analysts Buy into Progress
Fishing led all categories for Q4 comp growth, following by Camping. Hunting and Shooting Sports comped down, but outpaced NICS trends. The retailer is estimating fiscal 2025 net sales to be in the range of negative 1 percent to up 3.5 percent over 2024.

EXEC: On Holdings to Transition Leadership as Co-CEO Marc Mauer Plans Exit
The company is transitioning to a single CEO structure, with current Co-CEO and CFO Martin Hoffmann assuming the role of CEO. The company has also appointed four key senior leaders to further strengthen the existing team.

EXEC: Puma Set to Open First European Flagship Store in London in Fall 2025
The store opening is part of Puma’s brand elevation strategy to strengthen its presence globally, delivering “a shopping experience that reflects the brand’s innovation, sports performance and deep connection to global street culture.”

EXEC: Fila Holdings Officially Changes Name to Misto Holdings
Misto Holdings manages a portfolio of brands, including Fila, Titleist, FootJoy, Scotty Cameron, and others; however, the name Fila Holdings was closely associated with the Fila brand, leading to a limited perception of its broader portfolio and global brand management role.

EXEC: Lululemon Shares Fall as Analysts React Strongly to Weak 2025 Outlook
Analysts are keeping a keen eye on any hint of a consumer slowdown — the fuel for the U.S. economy. They were laser focused on a weaker-than-expected outlook for 2025, and another mention by a CEO of a “cautious consumer” and the effect of FX headwinds on EPS estimates.

Bogner Reports Solid Sales Growth, Retail Expansion in the Prior Fiscal Year
Bogner also expanded its Management Board during the 2024 calendar year with the addition of Daniel Hiendlmeier as chief brand officer in June 2024 and Frank Wiesner, appointed as CFO in December. Both were also named a managing director.

EXEC: Will Mexico Tariffs Stymie Mainland Headwear’s Plans South of the Border?
There was no mention of U.S./Mexico tariffs in the company’s Annual Report, even as more production moves south of the border for Mainland and New Era (presumably) that push to increase shipments in the second quarter and that could eat into company margins as tariffs are due in April after a 30-day delay.

EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz Parent KMD Posts Positive Fiscal H1 on Strong Online Sales
The parent of the Rip Curl, Oboz and Kathmandu brands said Group online sales performance has been a highlight, with all three brands achieving double-digit sales growth y/y. Online reportedly remains a key growth priority for the Group.

EXEC: EY M&A Outlook Signals Cautious U.S. Deal Market
EY expects U.S. deal volume will rise 10 percent in 2025, building on a robust 13 percent advance in 2024, driven by sustained economic activity, decreasing interest rates, pent-up demand & reduced valuation gaps.

EXEC: Sports Direct to Expand South Asia Presence with Map Active
This latest strategic partnership between Sports Direct parent Frasers Group and MAP Active will expand the sporting goods retailer further into Indonesia, with entry into India, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

EXEC: Spartoo Improves 2024 Cash Flows Through Improved Inventory Management
Spartoo is signaling that it will continue offering a wide range of footwear, ready-to-wear, bags, and accessories throughout 2024, even as it manages its online inventory more tightly.