SGB Executive Footwear

EXEC: Big 5 Unable to Overcome Slow Start to Summer Selling

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. saw its core market in El Segundo, a city in Los Angeles County, CA, where it is headquartered, baking in extreme heat in recent weeks. Still, president and CEO Steve Miller told analysts that cool weather in the early months of the second quarter ended July 2, caused sales to fall below the retailer’s already low target.

EXEC: Sebago Parent BasicNet Sees Net Profit Drop in H1; Royalties Decline

Royalties from commercial and productive licensees declined 6.4 percent to €32.7 million. Direct sales grew versus the same period in 2022 partly due to the contribution of K-Way France S.a.s, acquired in April 2022, but corresponding royalties from the French subsidiary decreased.

EXEC: Footwear De-Stocking Hits Factory Sector as Yue Yuen Warns on H1

Call it a reverse trickle-down process as bad news looks to be moving up the supply chain with predictable results. As retailers de-stock inventories and brands follow suit, the backup and subsequent slow-down have hit the manufacturing sector with more ferocity.

EXEC: Skechers Finds Strength Overseas Offset America Wholesale Weakness

Skechers U.S.A., Inc. raised its outlook for the year as broad strength internationally and strength in the U.S. direct-to- channel offset a 25 percent decline in wholesale sales in the U.S. due to overall elevated inventories in the marketplace. CFO John Vandemore said, “We expected the inventory congestion at our domestic wholesale partners to impact us most significantly in the second quarter.”

EXEC: Puma CEO Talks Cautious Approach on U.S. Turnaround

Puma SE delivered second-quarter results that topped analyst targets and said it might be able to raise its outlook for the year should the recent momentum in China, Europe and Latin America continue in the third quarter. However, Arne Freundt, Puma’s CEO, was hesitant to forecast a return to growth in the U.S. market due to weak consumer spending.

EXEC: Saucony’s New President Looks to Lean Into Innovation

Saucony, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2023,  in June named Rob Griffiths president. Here, Griffiths talked with SGB Executive about the brand’s authenticity and commitment to innovation, opportunities away from the run business, and his message to the run specialty community.