SGB Executive Footwear
EXEC: Amer Sports Continues to Lean Heavily on Asia Growth and DTC to Deliver the Big Numbers
The parent company of Arc’teryx, Peak Performance, Salomon, Atomic, and Wilson Sports, reported that strong momentum continued in the 2025 third quarter, led by exceptional Salomon footwear growth, a re-acceleration int the Arc’teryx omni-comp rate, and solid growth from Wilson Tennis 360. All trends were led by Asia growth.
EXEC: Analysts Generally Positive on Under Armour’s Split from Steph Curry
While some analysts view Under Armour as facing reputational risk from its decision to end its partnership with four-time NBA champion Steph Curry, most believe the move will favorably reduce its exposure to the flagging footwear category and help the brand refocus on its core apparel business.
EXEC: Nike Earns Stock Upgrade from Wells Fargo on Improving Visibility
Wells Fargo upgraded its rating on Nike to “Overweight” from “Equal weight” and its price target to $75 from $60. Wells Fargo analyst Ike Boruchow cited reduced headwinds from Classics footwear franchises (Air Force 1, Air Jordan and Dunk) and an uptick in growth in non-Classic footwear styles as part of the reason for the upgrade.
EXEC: Asia Footwear Factories See Larger Sequential Declines in October
Feng Tay Enterprises, one of the longest-tenured producers of Nike footwear, saw Manufacturing revenues decline 2.3 percent year-over-year in October, while Outdoor and athletic footwear maker Yue Yuen factory output declined 7.7 percent y/y for the month.
EXEC: Asics Lifts FY EPS Outlook After Robust Q3 Results; North America Profitability Jumps
Asics Corp. raised its earnings forecast for the year after reporting earnings in the third quarter jumped 44.0 percent on a 21.3 percent sales gain, driven by SportStyle and Onitsuka Tiger categories. Operating profits in the Americas region increased by 28.2 percent, driven by 5.7 percent sales growth.
EXEC: On Holding’s Shares Pop on Q3 Beat, Continued U.S. Sales Momentum
Profits at On Holding AG catapulted 182.9 percent on an adjusted basis in the third quarter as sales grew 24.9 percent year-over-year on a reported basis and 34.5 percent on a constant currency basis. On raised its outlook as both sales and profits far exceeded analyst targets. Currency-neutral sales in the Americas grew 21.0 percent, only slightly below the 23.6 percent pace seen in the second quarter.
EXEC: Resale Momentum Builds as Consumers Seek Value
Several recent reports from Boston Consulting Group, ThredUp and The RealReal show that the shift toward resale is accelerating as consumers prioritize affordability.
EXEC: Goldwin’s Q2 Boosted by The North Face Recovery
Goldwin, which owns the rights to The North Face in Japan and Korea, reported strong improvements in operating earnings for the second quarter and six months, boosted by a pickup in sales from The North Face. The North Face’s apparel sales grew 2.9 percent while gear sales advanced 8.1 percent.
EXEC: Havaianas Parent Sees Q3 Profits Soar As Sales Expand 7.5 Percent
Brazil-based Alpargatas reported that sales grew 7.5 percent in the third quarter to Brazil Real $1.1 billion ($210 mm), with sales up 6.9 percent in Brazil, 8 percent in Europe and 12 percent in the U.S. Earnings grew significantly, benefiting from lower manufacturing costs and reduced expenses.
EXEC: Mizuno’s Fiscal Q2 Sales Climb 7 Percent, Americas Sees Slight Decline Despite Golf Momentum
Japan-based sporting goods company Mizuno Corp. reported sales advanced 7.1 percent in the fiscal second quarter ended September 30 as gains in Japan, Europe and Asia offset a slight decline in the Americas region. The Americas region continued to show an uptick in profitability in the quarter, with sales expanding to reach record levels in the half, as robust golf sales offset softness in running and baseball.
EXEC: Black Diamond’s President Talks NA Wholesale Momentum, Full-Price Focus, Q4 Caution
Black Diamond delivered “solid results” in the third quarter, marked by 16 percent growth in its North American wholesale business, led by apparel, and an uptick in margins. Company President Neil Fiske sees a “more cautious” outlook for the fourth quarter with promotions ticking up and conservative buying in the outdoor channel.
EXEC: Under Armour Sees North American Wholesale Stabilizing in Fiscal 2027
During Under Armour’s second-quarter analyst call, Kevin Plank, chairman, president and CEO, stated the company’s North American business is finally showing signs of recovery with replenishment orders improving and the company now sees a path to bring U.S. wholesale back to growth, with stabilization arriving during fiscal 2027. The founder told analysts, ““I think probably the best way for me to qualify this is that we now have a stable order book.”
EXEC: New Wave Group Hurt by Currency Translation in Q3 but Acquisitions Add Gains
The Swedish-based owner of Ahead, Auclair, Craft, Cutter & Buck, and Tenson AB, reported that net sales increased 8.3 percent (+3.6 percent currency-neutral) to SEK 2.39 billion. The company in September acquired 100 percent of the shares in Austrian textile wholesaler Cotton Classics Handels GmbH.
EXEC: Merrell and Saucony Can Only Watch as Parent’s Stock Falls on Soft Outlook
Shares of Wolverine Worldwide fell $5.36, or 24.2 percent, to $16.72 after the company reported Q3 results that beat expectations, but provided fourth-quarter guidance that was below analyst targets. During an analyst call, Chris Hufnagel, President and CEO, remained bullish on the prospects for Saucony and Merrell, indicated that Sweaty Betty is starting to recover, and stated that footwear industry veteran Justin Cupps was hired to turn around the Wolverine brand and work on the group business.
EXEC: AlixPartners Calls Out “Booming” Athletic Footwear Sector, Sees Fickle Brand Loyalty
AlixPartners’ recently released Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) identifies that demand for athletic footwear is “booming” amid strong shifts toward casual, comfort and active lifestyles. However, the Index also found that brand loyalty within athletic footwear is “fleeting,” with several brands experiencing fluctuations in popularity among consumers over the last year.
