SGB Executive Footwear
EXEC: Asics’ President Warns of Price Hikes Should Iran Conflict Continue
Asics’ President Mitsuyuki Tominaga reported that the brand could raise prices on its products, as transportation costs are soaring amid higher oil prices driven by the war in the Middle East.
EXEC: Intersport Posts Modest Growth in 2025
Switzerland’s Intersport reported sales inched up 0.4 percent in 2025 to €14.1 billion ($16.3 mm), with an increase of 1.2 percent on a currency‑neutral basis. Gross margin also improved, boosting profitability. The privately held sporting goods chain did not disclose profitability figures.
EXEC: Map Active Expands to Over 2,200 Stores in 2025, with Retail Sales Jumping 18 Percent
Map Active operates over 40 exclusive brands in more than 2,200 stores and 30 online sites, with global brands across ASEAN. Its three principal business lines are Sports, Leisure and Kids, sold via mono-brand and multi-brand store formats, including PlanetSports.Asia, Sports Station, Foot Locker, Sports Direct, Golf House, and Kidz Station.
EXEC: Analysts Eye Potential Fiscal Q3 Beat for Nike, Focus Shifts to Margin Recovery
Performance-based running product is gaining traction. Jordan Retro, new Air Max offerings, the recovery of Air Force 1, and a promising start to sales of Jordan Jumpman product in the Academy and family channels are leading the improvements in North America, wrote one Wall Street analyst.
EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz Parent KMD Brands Requests Suspension of Trading in Shares
The owner of the Rip Curl, Oboz Footwear, and Kathmandu active lifestyle brands has made another request of the NZX and ASX to place a Trading Halt and Voluntary Suspension on KMD shares for an extended period of time following its initial request on March 25.
EXEC: Saucony and Merrell Business Grows 31 Percent in Greater China in 2025
Revenue of the core Xtep brand increased by 1.5 percent year-over-year (y/y) while the revenue of the Professional Sports segment, which includes Merrell and Saucony in Greater China, climbed by 30.8 percent y/y.
EXEC: Shoe Carnival Touts Air Jordan Launch, Reassesses Shoe Station Conversions
On his first quarterly since returning to lead Shoe Carnival as interim president and CEO, Cliff Sifford talked up the potential of the introduction of the Air Jordan brand but mostly delivered disappointing news, including that the chain is slowing down conversions of Shoe Carnivals to the more upscale Shoe Station concept because some conversions had underperformed.
EXEC: Topo Athletic Again Leads Q4 Growth at DBI Brand Portfolio as Retail Segment Comes in Flat
The parent company of the DSW, The Shoe Co., and Rubino retail brands, and owner of the Topo Athletic, Keds, Le Tigre, Hush Puppies, and other footwear brands, ended the 2025 fiscal year with flat Q4 net sales growth but strong impressive gross margin expansion.
EXEC: Wall Street Analysts React as On Holding’s Shares Fall After Surprise CEO Change
Shares of On Holding on Wednesday, March 25, fell $4.41, or 11.2 percent, to $35.17 after the Swiss running brand surprised investors by announcing that CEO Martin Hoffmann will step down on May 1 for personal reasons. Analysts said the move created more uncertainty for investors about On’s strategy.
EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz Parent KMD Halts Trading of Shares During Capital Raise
KMD also told the market that it is not presently in a position to release its results as intended on Wednesday, March 25. The company said it expects to release its fiscal 2026 first half (HY26) results on Thursday, March 26, 2026, and no later than Friday, March 27, 2026.
EXEC: 361 Degrees Delivers DD Growth in 2025
361 Degrees reported revenues rose 10.6 percent in 2025 to RMD11.1 billion ($1.62 bn) from a year ago. E-commerce revenues climbed 26 percent year-over-year to RMB3.3 billion.
EXEC: Anta Sports, Fila’s China Partner, Sees Revenues Climb in the Mid Teens in 2025
China’s Anta Sports Products Ltd. reported sales grew 13.6 percent in 2025, to a record RMB 80.22 billion (~$11.3 bn). The gains were led by strength at Fila, Descente and Kolon Sports, with more modest growth at the flagship Anta brand.
EXEC: On Brand Founders Taking Co-CEO Reins; Current CEO/CFO Hoffman to Exit
CEO Martin Hoffmann steps down on May 1, 20026. He will be replaced by the company’s co-founders, David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti. Additionally, Chief Innovation Officer and COO Scott Maguire has been promoted to president and COO, and Frank Sluis has been appointed CFO of the company.
EXEC: FDRA Sees Higher Oil Prices Pressuring Footwear Margins
Matt Priest, president and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), said on a media call Tuesday, March 24, the recent spike in oil prices is bound to put pressure on footwear margins, initially on logistics costs but eventually on components. Priest’s comments come as the FDRA’s industry survey for the first quarter of 2026, taken before the Iran conflict began, showed U.S. footwear executives more upbeat on business prospects.
EXEC: Kickers Brand Acquired by French Footwear Giant
The move comes as the brand’s former parent, the Royer Group, is moving to liquidate. According to the latest available data, Chaussea recorded revenue of €618 million ($841 mm) in 2024, with a network of 650 stores and 4,500 employees.
