SGB Executive Apparel

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.

Adidas’ Supply Chain Problems Stunt North America’s Momentum

Adidas warned investors it will miss its 2019 growth target because supply chain bottlenecks in the first half of the year are making it difficult to meet demand. The growth is particularly expected to slow in North America, where it has doubled its business in the last three years to take market share from rival Nike

Dick’s Traffic Doldrums Continue

Dick’s Sporting Goods reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and outlined a number of initiatives to jump-start comp growth, including replacing its hunt sections in another 120 stores with faster-turning categories and switching out its licensed Reebok brand for a new private-label athletic label. But shares of Dick’s fell as management predicted only minimal top-line recovery in the current year.

Patagonia, L.L. Bean Near Top Of Reputation Rankings

Patagonia ranked third and L.L. Bean fourth in this year’s Axios Harris Top-100 Poll’s survey ranking the public’s perception of the 100 most visible U.S. companies. Nike, Adidas, Under Armour and Dick’s Sporting Goods also landed on the list.

Active Offering Most Potential For Sequential Brands

Sequential Brands’ Active division – including Gaiam, AND1, and Avia – remains its largest and most profitable division and will continue to be a focus for investments, including potential acquisitions, in the years ahead, Sequential officials said on the company’s fourth-quarter conference call.

Kohl’s Seeing Share Gains In Active, Adding Nike Plus-Sizes

Kohl’s Corp said it continued to see strong momentum across its Active categories in the fourth quarter. The retailer also said that its test of expanded Active areas will be extended to 160 stores and Nike plus-size offerings will arrive this spring.