SGB Executive Apparel

EXEC: Wrapping Up the Less-Than-Jolly Holiday Forecasts For Retail

Holiday forecasts arriving in recent weeks roundly forecast sales will slow this year versus pandemic stimulus-boosted gains in recent years. However, while many expect a “resilient” consumer will drive solid gains similar to pre-pandemic levels, some see inflationary and macroeconomic concerns weighing disproportionately on discretionary spending.

EXEC: Titleist Parent Gains Q3 Boost from Healthy U.S. Golf Market

Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist and FootJoy, reported third-quarter earnings and sales topped Wall Street expectations on strength in the U.S. golf market. On an analyst call, David Maher, president and CEO, said the U.S. is outpacing markets overseas in both golf rounds played and consumer spend due to resilient golf enthusiasts.

EXEC: Fenix Outdoor Had a Great Q3 – Then September Arrived

The parent company of the Fjällräven, Royal Robbins, Hanwag and Tierra brands said Q3 started well, with “nice growth” in its Retail businesses; the Brands and Wholesale businesses had recovered and direct orders increased in the period. Then September’s heat hit.

EXEC: VF’s Turnaround Plan to Focus on Vans, the Americas, Debt and Cost Structure

New company CEO Bracken Darrell said the U.S. is not working well. He noted that the company’s innovation engine has historically been strong but had drifted downward over the past few years. He said employees still love the brands and business, but morale was hurt by poor performance. He also said costs and debt were too high, and there were no sacred cows in the turnaround effort. Vans was the first to see change.

EXEC: EMS and Bob’s Stores Look to Reignite Growth

In May 2022, GoDigital Media Group acquired Eastern Mountain Sportsand Bob’s Stores for $70 million in cash. SGB Executive talked with Jason Peterson, GoDigital’s CEO, and Dave Barton, president and CEO, Bob’s Stores and EMS, about how the companies is repositioning the banner for growth.

EXEC: Deckers Delivers Blowout Q2 as Hoka Takes Lead in U.S. Run Specialty

Deckers Brands hiked its annual guidance as results for its fiscal second quarter ended September 30 were boosted by an robust recovery at Ugg. However, Hoka’s momentum showed no signs of slowing down with Deckers’s officials telling analysts the brand has become the leading footwear seller in the U.S.-run specialty channel.

EXEC: Moncler S.p.A’s Q3 Sales Climb 7 Percent

Moncler S.p.A reported sales reached €669.7 million ($706 mm in the third quarter, up 7 percent on a currency-neutral basis compared with the same period of 2022. On a currency-neutral basis, Moncler Brand sales were up 9 percent while Stone Island sales were flat.

EXEC: Li Ning Sees Q3 China Retail Sales Comp Down Mid-Singles

In terms of channels, the retail channel registered a mid-single-digit increase and the wholesale channel registered a low-teens decline; while its e-commerce virtual stores business registered a low-single-digit decline on a year-over-year basis.

Super Retail Group Comps Up 2 Percent for 16-Week YTD Period

The Australia-based parent of the Rebel Sports, BCF Outdoor and Macpac outdoor retail chains, provided an update on its year-to-date performance at its annual general meeting on October 25 as it cycles against big increases last year.

Report: Adidas Pauses Yeezy Releases

Adidas has now put a pause on its planned Yeezy releases, including a planned drop in November, a decision that was attributed to the company’s Board. No reason was given for the pause.

Circana Delivers Muted Holiday Retail Outlook

Holiday spending is expected to come close to last year’s results but could fall short by as much as 2.5 percent during the traditional November and December shopping season, according to Circana’s annual Holiday Purchase Intentions study. The outlook was slightly improved when holiday sales falling in October are included.

Shimano’s YTD Sales Tumble 20 Percent on Cycling Weakness 

Shimano, Inc.’s sales tumbled 19.8 percent in the nine months as sales in its Bicycle Components segment dropped 24.8 percent with the decline tied to high inventories in the IBD channel. The Japanese-based company nonetheless slightly raised its outlook for the year as orders in the back half weren’t as soft as expected.