SGB Executive Apparel
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.
Four Questions: Matt Highby, President, Highby Outdoors
In early February, a number of former Cabela’s employees, led by Matt Highby, officially launched Highby Outdoors, an e-commerce site focusing on hunting and outdoor gear. SGB talked to Highby about what inspired the concept.
Foot Locker Scores Best Quarterly Comp Since 2014
With hot sellers ranging from Adidas Yeezy to Jordan, Nike’s Max Air, Fila and Champion, Foot Locker Inc. belted out a 9.7 percent same-store gain in the fourth quarter – its best quarterly gain since the fourth quarter of 2014. Fourth-quarter earnings and 2019 guidance also arrived well ahead of expectations. Some setbacks include the planned closing of its SIX:02 women’s chain and more impairment charges for Runners Point, but a bigger investment has been made into in Carbon38, the women’s activewear upstart.
5.11 And Velocity Outdoor Deliver Double-Digit Growth For CODI In 2018
Compass Diversified Holdings’ (CODI) reported 5.11’s 2018 revenues expanded 12.2 percent in 2018 while Velocity Outdoor’s revenue increased 10.3 percent. Liberty Safe saw a 10.1 percent decline last year.
Athleta Becomes Prime Growth Engine With Old Navy’s Exit
Gap Inc.’s move to spin off Old Navy is expected to accelerate growth opportunities for Athleta, the already fast-growing women’s activewear chain. The fourth quarter for Athleta marked a two-year comp hike of nearly 30 percent.
Big 5 Turns Bullish As Winter Kicks In
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. said its holiday quarter came out better than expected as chilly weather goosed sales. Continued seasonal weather into February also has the California-based chain upbeat for the first quarter.
Retail Reports Roundup
Retail studies arrived over the last two weeks on the value of in-person customer service, in-app spending growth, mobile payments, virtual assistants, supply chain digitization and more…
Trade Talks Showing Some Positive Signals
Facing a March 1 deadline before tariffs on some $200 billion in Chinese imports rise, Chinese and U.S. negotiators held high level talks Thursday and Friday in Washington D.C. The discussions come amid signs of progress on resolving some issues in the seven-month trade dispute.
Zion Williamson Injury Puts Spotlight On Nike And College Hoops
A shoe malfunction that injured college basketball’s biggest star in the most-hyped game of the year sent Nike into full damage control mode and drove more debates on the risks of college athletics.
SFIA: Sports Industry Facing Too Many Casual Participants
The annual SFIA Topline Participation Report found more Americans embracing healthy lifestyles in 2018, including notable gains in participation in a number of outdoor and fitness activities. But the study found tackle football participation taking another hit and overall gains being driven by casual rather than core participants.
SportChek Q4 Boosted By Owned-Brands Push
Canadian Tire Corp reported that its SportChek segment saw same-store sales climb 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, helped by a strong reception to its owned brands, Ripzone, Helly Hansen and Woods. Said Allan MacDonald, Canadia Tire’s EVP of retail, “I’m pleased that our owned brand strategy has now taken root at Sport Chek where we have to compete with some of the greatest brands in the world.”
Canada Goose Q3 Revenues Surge 50 Percent
Canada Goose again raised its guidance for the year after banging out significant gains in earnings and sales in the third quarter ended December 31. Results benefited from strong demand for expanded lightweight offerings, retailer requests for earlier shipments of merchandise, and a strong reception to new stores.
Asics Resets Americas Team After Another Challenging Year
Following a year of double-digit declines, Asics America Group (AAG) reported that Koichiro Kodama will replace Gene McCarthy as CEO of the region in a broad management overhaul.
