SGB Executive Footwear
How Asics Plans To Regain Its Stride In Run
Following 13 consecutive quarters of declines, Asics returned to growth in North America in the first quarter, led by the Performance Running category’s return to positive growth. In an interview with SGB Executtive, Richard Sullivan, EVP of sales, categories and marketing, Asics North America, discusses the reason Asics returned as title sponsor of the Los Angeles Marathon and its strategies for regaining its leadership positioning in the run category.
Cause Marketing Platforms Not Breaking Through With Gen Z
Several brands in the active lifestyle space, including Patagonia, Nike and Toms, are being recognized for their purpose-driven ethos and related cause-marketing efforts according to an extensive study from DoSomething.org. But the study still found it’s not easy to break through and create belief among consumers.
Wolverine’s Q1 Sales Slowed By Weather, Conservative Re-Orders
Wolverine World Wide reported earnings topped guidance in the first quarter and four of its major brands – Merrell, Saucony, Cat and Wolverine – exceeded internal sales expectations. Overall sales came in below expectations due to a downturn in the boat shoe market and weak re-orders that particularly impacted Sperry.
Sequential Brands’ Active Portfolio Gains Further Traction In Q1
Sequential Brands Group Inc. reported first-quarter earnings on an adjusted basis came in below plan due to transition challenges of licensing agreements at its Fashion segment. The company’s Active brands, led by Gaiam, And1 and Avia, continue to see strong growth
Bogs’ Bounce Back Continues In Q1
Bogs, continuing on the recovery seen in 2018, saw revenues jump 23 percent in the first quarter. The gains were due primarily to higher sales to outdoor and online retailers.
Crocs Shines In Q1
Crocs Inc. reported first-quarter earnings that handily topped Wall Street’s targets as sales topped expectations. Revenues benefited from its fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit DTC comp growth but growth accelerated overall with demand for Classic clogs in the Americas region exceeding supply.
Adidas Continues Hot Streak In Q1
Adidas AG reported first-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s targets as the company benefited from strong growth in China and online as well as significantly higher gross margins. More encouragingly, strong spring launches are expected to set the stage for accelerated growth in the second half and the supply-chain issues slowing growth in North America are expected to be resolved by the end of the year.
Under Armour Believes North America Has Stabilized
Under Armour’s earnings and sales that topped analysts’ expectations due to healthy overseas growth and efficiencies gained from its extensive restructuring efforts and stringent inventory controls. The most encouraging sign, however, was that the North America region is stabilizing.
Gildan Activewear Q1 Dragged Down By Lower Imprintables Restocking
Gildan Activewear reported a steep decline in earnings in the first quarter, as expected, as sales were impacted by lower levels of distributor restocking. Higher raw material and other input cost pressures also pressured margins.
Big 5 Delivers Robust First Quarter But Weak Outlook
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. delivered a strong first quarter as cold weather boosted its winter business. But the California-based sporting goods chain also warned of a loss in the current quarter due to a later Easter this year and also warned that overall sales appear soft.
Modell’s Fight For Survival
In a comprehensive interview with SGB Executive, Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Good’s, discusses the retailer’s frantic outreach efforts to save the company following reports of a possible bankruptcy filing. Plans to further stabilize and improve the business were also detailed.
Puma’s Q1 Boosted By Promising Start To Basketball
With robust growth in China and the U.S. and a healthy reception to its return to performance basketball, Puma SE kicked off the year with its strongest quarter ever. Said Bjørn Gulden, “The growth in all regions and all product divisions shows that we continue to make progress.”
Sneakerheads Fueling Potential $6 Billion Resale Market
Sneakerheads—consumers who covet and purchase many different sneakers and are constantly searching for the latest, limited-edition pair of kicks—should help the already lucrative sneaker resale market hit $6 billion by 2025, according to a recent study from Cowen. “Sneakers As An Alternative Asset Class” estimates that the sneaker resale market in North America is about $2 billion and rapidly growing.
Cherokee Global Brands Sees Double-Digit Q4 Growth For Hi-Tec
Cherokee Global Brands reported sales declined 11 percent in the fourth quarter due to a shift from direct-to-retail (DTR) through a wholesale licensing model. A bright spot, however, was the Hi-Tec brand, which delivered a 12 percent gain in revenues year-over-year.
Rocky Brands Inc. Ramps Up Reinvestment After Strong Q1
Marketing efforts clearly paid off for Rocky Brands Inc. in the first quarter, with the company reporting a 9.1 percent earnings increase on a 7.4 percent revenue gain, both of which beat Wall Street’s estimates. Now the company plans to double down on that strategy by reinvesting some of the profits from last quarter into a revamped and rejuvenated marketing strategy aimed at taking more share across end markets.
