SGB Executive Apparel
Unifi Lowers Outlook Again
Unifi Inc. for the third quarter in a row lowered its outlook for the year due to competitive pressures in the polyester space, especially from low-cost imports heading into the U.S.
Big 5 Delivers Robust First Quarter But Weak Outlook
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. delivered a strong first quarter as cold weather boosted its winter business. But the California-based sporting goods chain also warned of a loss in the current quarter due to a later Easter this year and also warned that overall sales appear soft.
Modell’s Fight For Survival
In a comprehensive interview with SGB Executive, Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Good’s, discusses the retailer’s frantic outreach efforts to save the company following reports of a possible bankruptcy filing. Plans to further stabilize and improve the business were also detailed.
Puma’s Q1 Boosted By Promising Start To Basketball
With robust growth in China and the U.S. and a healthy reception to its return to performance basketball, Puma SE kicked off the year with its strongest quarter ever. Said Bjørn Gulden, “The growth in all regions and all product divisions shows that we continue to make progress.”
Cherokee Global Brands Sees Double-Digit Q4 Growth For Hi-Tec
Cherokee Global Brands reported sales declined 11 percent in the fourth quarter due to a shift from direct-to-retail (DTR) through a wholesale licensing model. A bright spot, however, was the Hi-Tec brand, which delivered a 12 percent gain in revenues year-over-year.
Rocky Brands Inc. Ramps Up Reinvestment After Strong Q1
Marketing efforts clearly paid off for Rocky Brands Inc. in the first quarter, with the company reporting a 9.1 percent earnings increase on a 7.4 percent revenue gain, both of which beat Wall Street’s estimates. Now the company plans to double down on that strategy by reinvesting some of the profits from last quarter into a revamped and rejuvenated marketing strategy aimed at taking more share across end markets.
Lululemon Looks To Double-Down on Men’s, Digital And International
Lululemon Athletica, at its first analyst day in five years and first under new CEO Calvin McDonald, unveiled a five-year growth plan to double its men’s and digital businesses and quadruple its international business. Surprises include its planned expansion of fitness accessories, including rollers and training gloves, and its entry into the footwear category.
Consumers Willing To Pay Up For Sustainability
According to CGS 2019 U.S. Consumer Sustainability Survey, more than two-thirds of Americans consider sustainability when making a purchase and are willing to pay more for sustainable products. Gen Z shoppers led the way, with 68 percent having made an eco-friendly purchase in the past year.
Nike Inc. Creating Separation In Athletic Apparel
Nike Inc.’s athletic apparel offering is gaining mindshare among consumers in four categories—innovation, fashion, style and value—mostly at the expense of Under Armour, according to a recent survey from Canaccord Genuity Capital Markets.
Columbia’s CEO Tim Boyle Speaks Up On Speaking Out
In an interview with the Portland Business Journal last December, Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle said one of his New Year’s resolutions was to get on President Donald Trump’s enemies list and he’s publicly taken on the Trump administration on issues ranging from immigration to the partial government shutdown and tariff dispute. Boyle said it’s a matter of principles.
NGF … Golf Seeing Signs Of A Recovery
With double-digit growth in off-course golf participation, improved TV ratings, and a more diverse group of beginners coming to the sport, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) delivered a bullish outlook for the golf industry in its annual study. One encouraging finding was that on-course participation in 2018 marked its first measured increase in 14 years
JD Sports Off To Strong Start In U.S.
So far so good for Finish Line under its new owner, JD Sports. JD Sports said Finish Line’s comps were up 7 percent in 2018 with sales trends improving as the year progressed. The first JD stores to land in the U.S. are also seeing encouraging initial results.
Will Tiger Wood’s Victory Lift The Golf Industry?
Tiger Woods’ first major win in 11 Years and first Masters win since 2005 earned quick attention to his best-known sponsor, Nike, but some see it possibly helping to boost the overall golf industry.
Academy’s Struggles Continued In 2018
In an update, Moody’s Investors Service confirmed the debt ratings and outlook of Academy, Ltd., the parent of Academy Sports & Outdoors, while also indicating that the retailer’s financial performance continues to erode. The report noted that Academy’s comps declined in the mid-single-digit range and EBITDA declined 12 percent in 2018.
Study Sees Strong Link Between Awards And Labels To Sporting Goods Purchases
A new survey of active consumers across Europe from ISPO finds 75 percent indicating they pay special attention to awards and technical labels such as Gore-Tex, Vibram or bluesign when buying new sporting goods.
