SGB Executive Footwear
EXEC: An Unvarnished Look Inside the ~$1.3 Trillion Outdoor Recreation Economy
Numbers from the U.S. Commerce Department indicate that the Real GDP of the outdoor recreation economy in 2024 grew at roughly HALF the rate year-over-year than it did in 2023 — and that sounds more like what the outdoor retail industry has been feeling, at least directionally.
EXEC: Journeys Stars Again in Genesco’s Q4 with Double-Digit Comp Encore
Genesco, Inc. reported fourth-quarter results that handily topped initial expectations as its flagship Journeys banner delivered a 12 percent same-store hike on top of 14 percent growth the prior year. The teen girls’ chain has benefited from a focus on adding more premium products, including new brands such as Nike, Hoka, and Saucony over the last year.
EXEC: Coats Group Execs Outline Product and Financial Upside from Ortholite Integration
The acquisition of OrthoLite has accelerated the company’s strategy to create a “leading Tier 2 supplier in footwear components by adding an exciting, high-growth and high-margin business to the Coats Group portfolio.” The CEO said, “OrthoLite brings with it compelling revenue and cost synergy opportunities.”
EXEC: Tecnica Group’s Revenues Climb 4.7 Percent in 2025
Tecnica Group, the Italian parent of Nordica, Blizzard, Tecnica, Lowa, Moon Boot, and Rollerblade, reported sales grew 4.7 percent in 2025, to €541.3 million ($628 mm). Profits were down due to cost pressures from factory wages and U.S. tariffs.
EXEC: Sports Direct Owner Frasers Group Acquires Near 6 Percent Stake In Puma SE
The parent of Sports Direct, Slazenger, Donnay, LA Gear, No Fear, and Antigua has acquired a nearly 6 percent stake in Puma, according to a filing on Thursday, March 5.
EXEC: Assessing Under Armour’s and Mizuno’s Q4 Business in South America
Vulcabras S.A., the Brazil-based company that manages, manufactures, and distributes footwear, apparel, and accessories in South America for the Under Armour and Mizuno brands, and owns and manages the Olympikus brand, said higher ASPs drove revenue growth for the year, as gross volume of pairs remained flat.
EXEC: The Footwear and Apparel Brands Bringing the Brand Heat in 2026
L.E.K. Consulting Group released its fifth annual 2026 U.S. Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories Brand Heat Index, identifying the brands that have gained popularity, or increasing brand “heat,” across major product categories across the generations in women’s and men’s footwear, apparel, as well as outdoor equipment and sporting goods.
EXEC: Stifel’s 2026 All-Star Sneaker Survey Sees Nike Recovery
Stifel’s 2026 All-Star Footwear survey, which ranks the most popular shoes at U.S. athletic specialty and sporting goods retailers, revealed a Nike resurgence toward historical popularity levels at the expense of New Balance and Adidas; however, the increase was driven by strength in the discounted Nike Dunk model. The survey also found several breakout styles selling well across major athletic brands.
EXEC: Adidas Extends CEO Bjørn Gulden Contract to 2030, Proposes New Chairman
Adidas AG has extended Bjorn Gulden’s CEO contract to the end of 2030. He has led the company since the start of 2023. The company also proposed board member Nassef Sawiris as its new chairman of the Supervisory Board, succeeding Thomas Rabe.
EXEC: Adidas Shares Sink After Strong 2025, Hurt by Weakness in 2026 Op Profit Guidance
The second-largest active lifestyle brand in the world posted double-digit revenue growth in the fourth quarter (despite external turbulence) and more than doubled operating profit in Q4, which provided a path for 2025 to end “much better than planned and expected” when the year started.
EXEC: Golden Goose Boasts Strong 2025 Growth Across All Regions as DTC Surges
Direct-to-consumer is seen as the engine of growth for the Golden Goose brand, with net revenues increasing 21 percent year-over-year in constant-currency terms and now representing 81 percent of total revenues, up from 77 percent in 2024.
EXEC: On Brand Co-Founder Sees Strong Path Ahead at Top of the Pyramid
The company said net sales for 2026 are expected to grow at least 23 percent year-over-year on a constant-currency basis, equating to sales of (CHF 3.44 billion ($4.39 bn) at the spot rates on March 3. Gross profit margin is expected to reach at least 63.0 percent of revenue for 2026 and Adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be in the range of 18.5 percent to 19.0 percent for the year ahead.
EXEC: Wolverine Brand Expects to See Transition Year, Flat Sales in 2026
Work Group revenue is expected to be approximately flat year-over-year in 2026. Wolverine brand revenue is also expected to be approximately flat year-over-year in 2026, with performance anticipated to improve in the second half of the year.
EXEC: China Retailer Pou Sheng Issues Profit Warning
Pou Sheng, the Chinese retail subsidiary of Yue Yuen Industrial Holding, warned that it expects profits to decline by 57.1 percent in 2025 due to weak spending in China and high inventory levels, which are driving promotions.
EXEC: Top Australian Outdoor and Sports Retail Group Sees Solid Start to Fiscal Year
Rebel reportedly delivered credible growth given variable consumer demand, elevated competitor activity and inventory availability challenges during the period, while outdoor retailer BCF sales were in line with a record prior year level and outdoor retailer Macpac was said to be a standout performer in the half, with strong comp store sales growth.
