SGB Executive Apparel

EXEC: Saucony and Merrell Grow 57 Percent in China in 2024; Saucony Hits Benchmark
In 2024, revenue from the combined Merrell and Saucony brands segment realized a year-over-year growth of 57.2 percent, accounting for 9.2 percent of the Group’s total revenue.

EXEC: L.L.Bean Posts Flat Revenue in 2024; Employee Bonus Falls to 6.5 Percent
The company said it continued to navigate a challenging retail environment in 2024, in a year impacted by inflationary headwinds and a decrease in spending in the outdoor sector.

EXEC: Another Authentic Licensee Files Bankruptcy as Forever 21 to Close in U.S.
Authentic Brands Group continues to own the intellectual property associated with the Forever 21 brand and could license the brand to other operators. The non-U.S. Forever 21 store locations and international e-commerce sites are expected to continue operating as normal.

EXEC: Golden Goose Spikes 2024 Revenues with 24 Global Store Openings
Retail drove DTC performance with 23 percent growth, supported by 24 net new store openings and high single-digit comp sales growth and double-digit comp growth in Q4. Wholesale channel sales declined 4 percent year-over-year.

EXEC: Zumiez CEO Details Strong Q4 Progress Across Softgoods Categories
The Men’s category maintained its positive momentum through year-end, delivering growth for the fifth consecutive quarter. The women’s category, became the largest growth category for the quarter. Skate Hardgoods were a drag.

EXEC: Tilly’s, Inc. Expects Little Tariff Impact; Merchandising is Bigger Issue
Total foruth quarter comparable net sales, including both physical stores and e-commerce, decreased by 11.2 percent relative to the comparable 13-week period ended February 3, 2024, but have turned positive as weather improves.

EXEC: New Kohl’s CEO Kicks Off Turnaround Effort; Sees Private Label as Key
Asked about the balance between private label and national brands by an analyst, new CEO Ashley Buchanan emphasized that the customer will ultimately determine the mix, with a focus on delivering quality and value.

EXEC: Puma SE Expands Q4 Profits; Full Year Weakness Leads to Job Cuts Talk
Full year net income decreased 7.6 percent year-over-year to €281.6 million in 2024 and sales increased by 2.5 percent to €8.82 billion for the year.

EXEC: Puma SE Forecast Q1 Sales to Decline on Weak U.S. and China
For the first quarter, Puma said it anticipates currency-adjusted sales growth to be down in low-single-digits versus the 2024 Q1 level, primarily due to a soft performance in the U.S. and China.

EXEC: Dick’s SG Shares Decline as Street Worries About Weaker 2025 Outlook
Dick’s posted a 5.2 percent comp store sales increase for the 2024 fiscal year, cycling against a 2.6 percent comp sales gain in the 2023 fiscal year. The retailer expects full-year comp sales growth from 1.0 percent to 3.0 percent for fiscal 2025.

EXEC: February FW Factory Shipments Soar as Key Factories Post DD Growth
Yue Yuen’s manufacturing business, which boasts Adidas, Merrell, Asics and many others as key customers, posted a 14.9 percent increase in February, and Feng Tay, a major Nike supplier, returned to positive territory delivering 11.4 percent growth year-over-year after a decline in January.

EXEC: Sebago Parent BasicNet Gets DTC Lift for Positive 2024
The Turin, Italy-based parent of the Kappa, Robe di Kappa, K-Way, Superga, Briko Jesus Jeans, Sabelt, and Sebago brands said Direct sales grew 4.2 percent to €346.8 million in 2024, while Royalties fell 2.2 percent year-over-year.

EXEC: Liberated Brands Auction Process Approved
All bids are due Monday, March 10, at 5 p.m. ET. If there are two or more bids, an auction will be held on March 17, with a hearing to approve the buyer proposed for March 24.

Adidas Inks Liverpool Football Kit Deal Rumored at £300 Million
British media reports suggest the deal is a five-year agreement worth over £60 million ($77.4 million) per year. Adidas last provided the kit deal with the LFC from 2006 through 2012. Nike has held the deal since 2020.

EXEC: VF Corp. Shares Fall Following Investor Day Part 2
Presentations during the meeting were conducted by the brand presidents from The North Face, Timberland, Dickies, Altra, and Vans who outlined key strategic objectives for each brand as well as the Emerging Brands segment.