SGB Executive Apparel

Ten Active-Lifestyle Takeaways From Piper Jaffray’s Teen Survey

Vans and Lululemon are crushing it with teens. Nike and Adidas are plateauing while Under Armour and Supreme appear to be losing ground. But athletic apparel and footwear categories overall continue to grow in appeal with teens, according to Piper Jaffray’s 37th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens survey.

Duluth Trading Warns Of Sales Slowdown

Shares of Duluth Trading fell $5.94, or 25.2 percent, to $17.60 Friday after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that came in well short of Wall Street’s targets because of delivery challenges and a poor response to newer offerings. Guidance for the current year was also significantly cut with a sales recovery not expected until the second half.

IMF Study Finds Tariffs Can’t Fix Trade Problems

New research from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finds that if the U.S. and China raise tariffs to 25 percent on all goods traded between the two countries, the U.S. economy would lose between 0.3 and 0.6 percent in growth, the Chinese economy would lose between 0.5 and 1.5 percent, and global growth would slow by 0.1 and 0.2 percent.

Sports Participation Roundup

Extensive research from Women In Adventure touting the strong connection between women in the outdoors and their mental well-being highlighted the latest round of sports participation surveys and studies. Research also arrived on running-race sign-ups, tennis participation, gym memberships, tackle football and more.

Foot Locker Finding New Paths To Growth

At its Investor Day, Foot Locker Inc. didn’t alter its long-term growth goals but officials detailed how new store concepts, fresh engagement approaches and other digitally-savvy concepts would significantly reshape the retailer in the years ahead.

Lululemon Crushes It In Q4

Firing on all cylinders, Lululemon Athletica reported a blow-out fourth quarter marked by a 17 percent comp gain while predicting comps would surge in the low-double digits for the current year. Growth is expected to be driven by stepped-up store openings and category expansions as well as by further building on the recent momentum seen in digital, international and men’s.

Tariffs Less Worrisome For Some, Not Others

While no trade deal has been reached between the U.S. and China, the news around tariffs has been more favorable than unfavorable since the start of the year. But some industry players still have been raising prices, purchasing early to avoid hits and taking other steps to mitigate their potential impact.

Amazon Reports Roundup

A number of retail studies arrived over the last few weeks on retail’s disruptor, Amazon, including the e-commerce giant’s break-through in apparel, expanding dominance in product search, private-label shortfalls, trust credibility, digital advertising pushes and more.

Nike Sees No Slowdown In Momentum

Shares of Nike Inc. closed down nearly 7 percent on Friday after the company reported North America sales in the third quarter and fourth-quarter guidance that both missed Wall Street’s targets. But sales in the third quarter still more than doubled the growth rates of its closest rivals, Adidas and Under Armour, as Nike officials insisted its Consumer Direct Offense initiative is only getting started.

G-III Apparel’s Q4 Boosted By Double-Digit Wholesale Growth

G-III Apparel Group Ltd. reported fourth-quarter earnings that came in well ahead of Wall Street’s consensus target due to stringent cost controls and double-digit growth across wholesale operations. G-III officials revealed that its recently-acquired DKNY label had introduced its first women’s apparel collection tied the major sports leagues.

Delta Apparel Eyes Fast Growth At DTG2Go

Speaking at the 31st Annual ROTH Conference, officials at Delta Apparel Inc. said DTG2Go, its digital print and fulfillment business, is poised to expand at a 20 percent CAGR (compound annual growth rate) in the years ahead with digital screen-printing just starting to take off.

Esports Set To Take Off

EMarketer became the latest research firm to come out with the bullish forecast on the growth potential of esports as well as the related advertising opportunity to reach a hard-to-reach and coveted millennial demographic. The reports come as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Fanatics, Champion and others have all recently inked sponsorship deals.

Zumiez Sees Localized Assortments Driving Momentum

Wrapping up its third year of merry holiday results, Zumiez Inc.’s earnings and same-store sales came in well above guidance in the fourth quarter. On a conference call with analysts, Rick Brooks, CEO, credited the chain’s focus on localized merchandise assortments for its recent hot streak.

Tilly’s Finds Booming Online Sales Offsetting Weak Mall Traffic

Tilly’s reported same-store sales leapt 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter, its strongest comp gain since Q311. The run-up was carried by a 49.6 percent hike in online sales, representing the action-sports chain’s strongest e-commerce comp result since Q410.

Aisle Talk Week Of March 11

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Brooks Running Company’s promotion of Dan Sheridan to a newly configured role of EVP and chief operating officer.