SGB Executive Footwear
EXEC: Top Dick’s SG Brass Make Case for Staying the Course Amidst Q2 Market Shift
The conversation that Executive Chairman Ed Stack, President & CEO Lauren Hobart, and CFO Navdeep Gupta had with analysts became more about staying the course, the company’s commitment to the acquired Foot Locker business, and how the trio expects to weather the storm that hit earlier in the morning when the company released its earnings for the most recent period.
Report: Key Footwear Brands Suffer from Lack of Freshness in Stifel’s 2026 BTS Survey
Asics was among the few brands showing notable ground in popularity with teens in Stifel’s Back-to-School 2026 Athletic Footwear Survey, with demand for many legacy brands seen being impacted by a lack of newness. Nike showed some recovery but it was led by Air Force 1. New Balance and Adidas held onto second and third popularity ranks, respectively, but share eroded year over year. The survey showed upstart brands On and Hoka gaining minimal traction in youth lifestyle footwear.
EXEC: Strong Saucony China Retail H1 Sales Growth Offset by Xtep Mass Market Decline
China’s Xtep International Holdings Ltd revenue in the 2026 first half declined 0.6 percent as a slight decline in its core Xtep brand offset double-digit gains at its licensed Saucony business. Xtep holds the licensing rights to Saucony and Merrell, both owned by Wolverine Worldwide, in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
EXEC: Tecnica Group Sees Modest H1 Growth on DD Winter Brands Growth
The company reported gains in its winter segment (Nordica, Tecnica, Blizzard) and Moon Boot offset a decline at Lowa.
EXEC: Reima’s Sales Grew 14 Percent On North American DTC Momentum
The Finnish maker of outerwear, activewear, footwear and accessories for children reported sales in the second quarter reached €11.1 million ($12.8 mm), up 14 percent year over year and led by continued strength in North American direct-to-consumer sales. The adjusted EBITDA loss was reduced slightly due in part to cost savings.
EXEC: China-Based Kailas Fuga Extreme Trail Brand Opens Chamonix Retail Store
Located in the heart of the Alps, a world-renowned center for outdoor sports, the Fuga Store in Chamonix is said to be a milestone for Kailas Fuga, offering a community hub for trail runners.
EXEC: West Marine Vendor Claims Nearly Wiped Out as Retailer Exits Chapter 11
The retailer has emerged from bankruptcy proceedings as part of a restructuring that reduced its debt by more than $265 million. Unsecured creditors, including vendors, are expected to secure minimal recovery for their claims.
EXEC: Tecnica Group Founders to Raise Stake to 69.09 Percent
The Zanatta family, founders of Italian outdoor footwear and ski equipment maker Tecnica Group, has agreed to buy back a 9.09 percent stake in the company from Italmobiliare for approximately €50 million ($58 mm).
EXEC: Dick’s Q2 Results Preview – Investor Focus on Foot Locker Turnaround
Shares of Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. have been trading near 52-week lows due to investor concerns over Foot Locker’s recovery that were reinforced by JD Sports’ subpar first-half results. However, most analysts remain positive on Dick’s shares and expect the retailer to meet or exceed estimates when it reports Q2 results next Tuesday, August 25.
EXEC: Stella Int’l Opening Three New Factories as Large PRC “Sports” Customer Ramps Up
A large Sports customer reportedly shifted its product mix from export-oriented footwear styles to styles targeted at the domestic PRC market, as well as by the costs associated with Stella’s current capacity expansion investments.
EXEC: Sierra Discount Outdoor Banner to Continue on Aggressive Expansion Track
On TJX Cos.’ second-quarter analyst call, Ernie Herrman, CEO, said TJX increased its long-term store-opening targets while indicating its Sierra outdoor-themed off-price concept will continue to contribute “disproportionately” to those expansion efforts.
EXEC: JD Sports Fashion Sees Tough Q2 Footwear Sales Trends Outside Running
The parent of Hibbett, JD, Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace in the U.S. and multiple other sports, outdoor and footwear banners across Europe and Asia Pacific, said the North America region saw the “most acute impact” in Q2, reflecting a slower quarter for high-“heat footwear product” and the timing of “back-to-school” demand.
EXEC: Ecco Moves Neal Taylor to Top Global Commercial Role, Hires Chief Product Officer
Ecco promoted Neal Taylor, its Americas CEO, to EVP, global chief commercial officer. Adam Meek, formerly at Dr. Martens, joined Ecco as EVP and chief product officer. Both will join the Danish footwear company’s executive board.
EXEC: Wilson Softgoods Investment Pays Off for Amer Sports
Amer Sports CFO Andrew Page cautioned that the Ball & Racquet segment’s growth in Q2 benefited from some big product launches and the related sell-in, and is not expected at the Q2 level of growth on an on-going basis. Still the company raised its full-year sales growth guidance.
EXEC: Puma’s Global Sports Marketing & Sports Licensing VP Departing
Johan Adamsson, a 25-year company veteran, is scheduled to depart the company on August 31, 2026.
