SGB Executive Footwear
Relief Over Recast NAFTA Deal
With fears over the arrangement being scrapped entirely, relief arrived after the U.S., and Canada came to a last-minute agreement on a revised trade deal that could replace NAFTA. While the dairy and auto industries will face some changes, the impact on the apparel and footwear sectors appears negligible.
SGB Executive Q&A: Hibbett Execs Discuss Latest Digital Initiative
The leadership team at Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc. readily acknowledges that the Birmingham, AL-based retailer has been behind the curve on digital capabilities, but Monday’s launch of new online features—Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) and Reserve Online, Pick Up in Store (ROPIS)—is another step in Hibbett’s plan to close the gap on its competitors.
Aisle Talk Week of September 24
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Amazon opening Amazon 4-star, a new physical store where everything for sale is rated four stars and above, is a top seller or is new and trending on Amazon.com.
Active-Lifestyle Well Represented On The Inc. 5000
Peloton, Bombas, Klymit, Xero Shoes and Hyperice were among a number of companies in the active-lifestyle space landing on The Inc. 5000, the magazine’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
Wall Street Bullish On Nike Following Q1 Beat
While shares of Nike Inc. dipped slightly Wednesday after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings, bullish reports arrived from Wall Street touting Nike’s innovation platforms and accelerated growth in North America.
Innovation Fueling Broad-Based Momentum For Nike
While Nike Digital led the way with a 34 percent gain on a currency-neutral in the first quarter, Nike Brand’s amplified focus on innovation is “at the heart of our continued momentum right now,” Mark Parker, CEO, said on the company’s conference call with analysts.
North America Growth Accelerates For Nike
An acceleration of growth in North America, double-digit gains overseas, and continued over-sized online gains drove Nike Inc.’s earnings ahead 14.9 percent in the first quarter ended August 31–exceeding internal expectations and Wall Street’s targets. Revenues grew 9 percent on a currency-neutral basis.
Stifel’s Inaugural Athletic Survey Shows Positive Spending Intentions
Stifel’s inaugural Athletic Apparel and Footwear Consumer Survey points to higher spending intentions for both athletic apparel and footwear in the next six months. Nike not surprisingly ranked as the preferred athletic brand across footwear and apparel categories but Under Armour, Adidas, Champion, New Balance, Vans, The North Face and Skechers are all resonating with key constituencies.
Retail Reports Roundup
Studies arrived last week including Nike dominating apparel brands’ preferences, mixed views on social commerce, AI benefits to supply-chain efficiency, wide-ranging checkout opportunities and free delivery’s expanding appeal as well as another merry holiday forecast.
Aisle Talk Week of September 17
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including sales growth at Gregory Mountain Products and High Sierra helping Samsonite International S.A.’s financial performance in the six months ended June 30.
Wall Street Reacts Positively To Under Armour’s Job Cuts
Shares of Under Armour Inc. rose $1.24, or 6.6 percent, to $20 at market close Thursday following the company’s early morning announcement that the company would increase the number of job cuts as part of a broader restructuring plan.
Skechers Downgraded On Inventory, Foreign Exchange Concerns
Shares of Skechers USA sunk $1.26, or 4.5 percent, to $26.58 Thursday after Cowen & Co. lowered the company’s rating on the stock to “market perform” from “outperform” due to concerns over high inventories and foreign currency headwinds.
U.K. Analyst Bullish On JD Sports’ U.S. Entry
In reporting results last week for the first half, JD Sports indicated the company was moving full-steam ahead with plans to test the JD flagship concept in the U.S. while leveraging its merchandising talents on Finish Line locations. One U.K. analyst, Jonathan Pritchard at Peel Hunt, believes JD Sports has strong potential to shake up U.S. sneaker retailing.
Wall Street Sees Nike Boost From Colin Kaepernick Ad
Nike is increasingly seen getting a boost from the brand’s decision to include Colin Kaepernick in its “Just Do It” anniversary ad campaign, according to investor notes from Piper Jaffray and Canaccord Genuity. Canaccord conducted a poll that found consumers “overwhelmingly supportive” of the campaign.
Industry Voices Grow Louder In Opposition To Trade War
President Trump’s claim that increased tariffs on foreign goods have resulted in an improved business climate for U.S. companies has been widely rejected by representatives of the outdoor, sporting goods and active lifestyle industries, who are growing louder in their opposition to the administration’s escalating trade war.
