SGB Executive Footwear

Aisle Talk Week Of January 21

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including, Emerald Expositions saying that after canceling Interbike, it is considering two options that could bring a bike element to either the Outdoor Retailer Winter or Summer Market.

Canada Goose Slides On Downgrade

Shares of Canada Goose fell Canadian$4.73, or 7.1 percent, to C$46.05 Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange after Wells Fargo downgraded the stock. The analysts pointed to less search traffic on popular internet search engines looking for Canada Goose merchandise, and concerns about international trade.

RunnerClick Survey Finds Women, Seniors Pacing Marathon Growth

RunnerClick, the online community dedicated to running, has come out with what it describes as the “largest recreational marathon research study,” spanning 39 countries. Among the findings was that the U.S. has the highest proportion of female runners, making it the most gender equal country (45 percent female), followed by Canada (40 percent female). Greece is the worse in terms of female participation with 90 percent male and 10 percent female.

NRF Big Show: Retail’s Transformation On Display

While the trade show floor was packed with many new retail technologies driven by artificial intelligence, the seminars at the NRF Big Show 2019 explored how those digital advances are working their way to retail’s selling floors.

Nike And Under Armour Both Earn Stock Upgrades

Cowen on Tuesday raised its rating on Nike to “Outperform” in part because the brand’s strong innovation pipeline and quick-turnaround capabilities are expected to drive margins higher. Goldman Sachs lifted its rating on Under Armour to “Buy” due also to signs of margin improvement near-term along with healthier growth in the long term.

Retail Reports Roundup – January 21

A stack of retail surveys and studies arrived just in time for last week’s NRF Big Show in New York City. Research included the arrival of the “Emerging Male ‘Power Shopper” as well as retail developments with artificial intelligence, mobile apps, smart speakers, fulfillment technologies, personalization, card-not-present fraud and more.

VF Corp.’s Shares Pop On Blowout Q3

With another blockbuster performance for Vans and an acceleration of growth at The North Face, VF Corp scored its best quarter in two years in its third quarter ended December 31 and again raised its full-year guidance. Shares of VF rose $9.08, or 12.4 percent, to $82.34 Friday on the New York Stock Exchange.

Aisle Talk Week Of January 14

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Foot Locker making a strategic investment in Pensole Footwear Design Academy.

Shopko Becomes Latest Casualty Of Online Disruption

Shopko, already weighed down by a heavy debt load due to a leveraged buyout, said competition against the national big box chains and consolidation in the pharmacy industry both played a role in its trip to bankruptcy court. But in an affidavit in Nebraska’s bankruptcy court, Russell Steinhorst, CEO,  blamed the retailer’s eroding operating performance largely on the dramatic shifts across retailer in recent years to online selling.

ICR Recap: Which Brands Won Over Investors?

The ICR Conference in Orlando, FL, gave brands across the consumer and retail industries a chance to present their current financial profile and plans for 2019 and beyond. Some companies, like Lululemon (whose presentation wasn’t public), have seen values surge post-conference.

Crocs Pivots To Growth Mode After Successful Repositioning

The transformation that Crocs Inc. began a few years ago has included everything from shuttering stores to adjusting its channel strategy to closing its company-owned manufacturing facilities. Those efforts to slash costs have paid off for the Niwot, CO-based footwear maker. After shedding $80 million in SG&A expenses in that timeframe, the company can now focus on the next leg of its journey—growth.

Dick’s Ed Stack Discusses Purposeful Leadership At NRF Big Show

At a session, “Company Conscience: Leading With Conviction,” at the NRF Big Show in New York City, Ed Stack, chairman and CEO at Dick’s Sporting Goods, discussed the retailer’s efforts to ensure a work/life balance for its employees and the retailer’s commitment to community that’s reflected both in its Sports Matter funding program and controversial decision to change its gun policy.

Companies Update Guidance In Advance Of ICR Conference

Late Friday afternoon and early Monday morning saw a host of preliminary sales and updated guidance releases from companies presenting at the ICR Conference, being held in Orlando, FL. Here’s a roundup of what retail and consumer brands announced over the last couple of days.

CES Show: Data Tracking To Transform Sports

The buzz over wearables in the active space has cooled down with the challenges facing Fitbit, GoPro and others in recent years, but the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) and motion-sensing technology to create a new breed of data-informed athletes was again heard loudly at this week’s CES show in Las Vegas.

SGB Industry Outlook 2019, Part 3

Here is our final installment of the 2019 industry outlook. Thank you to all the industry executives and business owners who shared expectations, hopes and concerns for the new year. This was the biggest response we’ve ever gotten, with almost 60 participants, prompting three parts instead of the usual one or two.