SGB Executive Footwear

EXEC: Skechers Notes Continued Pressure in U.S. Wholesale Business

Speaking at the Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference, John Vandemore, the CFO at Skechers USA, said the company continues to see strong demand for the brand across its DTC channels but is not seeing any indication that the elevated inventories affecting U.S. wholesale business to alleviate anytime soon.

EXEC: Active Lifestyle Retail Weathers Rough Second Quarter Waters

Although a few retailers outperformed in the second quarter, big names in the active lifestyle space fought through a challenging  quarter amid promotional pressures, retail theft and the consumer’s continued shift away from discretionary purchases.

EXEC: Zumiez Hopeful for Holiday Selling After Q2 Beat and BTS Momentum

Zumiez, Inc. reported better-than-expected Q2 results with sales declines lessening further into the third quarter, including men’s, its largest category, turning positive. The action sports chain predicted another high-single to low-double-digit decline for the third quarter but remains hopeful of continued improvement through holiday selling.

EXEC: Amer Sports Files Confidentially to Go Public

Amer Sports, the parent of Salomon, Wilson, Arc’teryx and other sports brands, filed confidentially for a U.S. initial public offering that could value the group as high as $10 billion. The offering would come as Amer Sports’ business has seen accelerated growth, driven by Arc’teryx and Salomon and growth in China.

Study: American Malls Making a Comeback Post-Pandemic

A study conducted by Coresight Research found that traffic at U.S. shopping malls has recovered and surpassed pre-COVID levels, supported by the “halo effect” created by a brand’s online and offline presence in a mall, brand synergy in malls and omnichannel retail investments.

EXEC: Caleres Sees Famous Footwear Gaining Share

Famous Footwear’s same-store sales declined 4.3 percent in the second quarter but showed sequential improvement from the first quarter and is estimated to be taking market share. Jay Schmidt, president and CEO of Caleres, the parent of Famous, told analysts on a call, “During the second quarter, Famous continued to navigate difficult spending trends among its target consumer and the challenging economic backdrop overall.”

EXEC: Academy Sports’ Shares Jump On Upbeat Outlook

Shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. closed up $4.63, or 9.3 percent, to $54.57 Thursday as second-quarter earnings topped analysts’ estimates and the retailer reiterated its guidance for the year. Academy officials said sales steadily improved throughout the second quarter as customers responded to its message around value and newness.

EXEC: Symphony Holdings Posts Solid H1 as Brand Division Jumps 24 Percent

The Branding segment, which is comprised of the Skins and Pony businesses, sourcing, manufacturing and trading of healthcare products in Hong Kong and distribution of Sunseeker swimwear, posted a 24.2 percent YoY increase for the first half period. Still, the majority of revenues come from its malls leasing segment.

EXEC: Shoe Carnival Sees Athletic Sales Trends Improve in Q2

Shoe Carnival, Inc. reported that same-store sales in the adult athletic category were down low single digits in the second quarter but improved sequentially from down low-teens in the first quarter. Company officials told analysts the category continues to benefit from “materially” improved inventory levels versus last year and a new campaign designed to “reactivate” former athletic footwear purchasers.

EXEC: Active Lifestyle Well Represented on 2023 Inc. 5000 List

Golftec, Xero Shoes, SylvanSport, Stinger Sports, Bases Loaded and GiantMouse are brands in the wide range of companies in the active lifestyle space to land in Inc’s 5000 for 2023 annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America—a snapshot of companies’ performance from 2019 to 2022.