SGB Executive Apparel
SGB 2023 Year In Review: Active Lifestyle M&A Activity Slows—Part I
Fewer major deals were executed across the active lifestyle space in 2023 amid rising interest rates and persistent economic uncertainty but several tuck-ins and smaller to medium-size acquisitions were inked. Still, SGB Media found a few key trends expected to continue into 2024.
SGB 2023 Year In Review: Executive Shuffle
New CEOs at Academy Sports, Adidas, Asics, Gap, Kohl’s, Levi’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse, VF Corp., Vista Outdoor, and Wolverine Worldwide headlined the C-suite moves that transformed leadership across the active lifestyle space in 2023.
In Memorium: Remembering the Active Lifestyle Leaders Lost In 2023
As the year closes, SGB Media remembers the active lifestyle industry business leaders who passed in 2023 and once again acknowledges their contributions to the market.
EXEC: Nike’s Reduced Outlook, Planned Cuts and Market View Takes Broader Market Down
Nike, Inc. announced a broad restructuring program while slashing revenue guidance for its fiscal year amid softening online sales, promotional pressures and heightened macro headwinds, particularly in China and the EMEA. For its fiscal year ended May 31, 2024, sales are now projected to increase only 1 percent against a prior outlook of up mid-single-digits.
EXEC: Report Finds Troubling Core Participation Trend in Team Sports
SFIA’s recently released U.S. Trends In Team Sports Report noted that participation in 16 of 23 team sports tracked by the Association has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, and only one sport, soccer, showed Core Participation gains in the 2019-2022 period. However, the SFIA report offered more encouraging findings in team sports trends.
Study: Gen Z and Boomers Most Likely to Shop In-Store
ICSC wrote that while Gen Z grew up with digital and mobile technology, their penchant for in-store shopping at times exceeds that of the generations that grew up shopping in physical stores.
Gildan Board Responds to CEO Ouster Backlash Coming from One-Third of Shareholders
The fiasco consuming the Gildan Activewear Board of Directors continues to worsen as the first large investor that cried foul last week after the Board ousted the CEO has increased its stake in the company and is now urging the company to take immediate action.
EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz See Trailing 4-Month Sales Down Despite Solid Black Friday
Group sales were reportedly down 12.5 percent year-over-year for the four-month fiscal year-to-date period, reflecting “ongoing weakness in consumer sentiment.” Wholesale sales were disappointing for Rip Curl and Oboz brands.
Study: Retailers See Big Online Sales Declines After Closing Brick & Mortar
ICSC found that closing a store reduced online sales in the trade area surrounding that store by 11.5 percent. For emerging retailers, there was reportedly less of an impact, as online sales for largely DTC brands that closed a store decreased by 5.2 percent.
Gildan Investor Wildfire Spreads as More Firms Join the Call to Reinstate CEO
Anson Funds and Anson Advisors is the latest to express disappointment with the Gildan Board and voiced concerns over the Board striking a backroom deal with an Individual shareholder in exchange for support rather than engaging with investors troubled by poor succession planning.
Study: The Retailers Getting the Most Online Benefit from New Stores
According to the analysis of the ICSC’s survey of 850 shoppers, department stores had a 50.6 percent increase in online spending, followed by apparel retailers with an 11.6 percent increase in e-commerce sales.
EXEC: Authentic’s Reebok Europe Partner Acquired by Korean Retailer
Coupang, Inc., a Korea-based global retailer, reported plans to acquire the business and assets of online luxury retailer Farfetch, Authentic’s partner chosen to manage Reebok in Europe.
Gildan’s Ousted CEO Denies Giving M&A Ultimatum to Directors
Glenn Chamandy, the former CEO of Gildan Activewear Inc., issued a statement denying media reports that he gave an ultimatum to the activewear company’s board regarding strategy or potential acquisitions. He also denied that he was involved in succession planning.
EXEC: Former Giants Star Carl Banks Plots Starter’s Comeback for G-III Sports
Starter, the U.S. apparel manufacturer whose satin jacket was once a fixture in the 1990s on pro team sidelines and music videos, is readying a large-scale comeback with the help of nostalgia, on-trend product and expanded rights with major league teams. Carl Banks, president of G-III Sports, talked with SGB Executive about the brand’s resurgence.
Gildan Board Hit With Strong Shareholder Blowback After CEO Ouster
Two large Gildan investors are pressing the company’s Board of Directors to reverse its decision to terminate company Founder and former CEO, Glenn Chamandy and reappoint him as CEO of the company.
