SGB Executive Footwear
EXEC: Fenix Outdoor Hopes for Better Times Ahead as Q3 Continues Downward Trend
The executive chairman of the Board for the parent of the Fjällräven, Royal Robbins, Hanwag, and Fenix Outdoor brands said the quiet part out loud in his letter to investors regarding the quarter when he said there was not much positive to say from a sales perspective.
EXEC: Hoka Drives Deckers Brands’ Fiscal Q2 Growth; Prompts Guidance Bump
DECK now expects Hoka to increase approximately 24 percent year over year, reflecting the continued strength of global demand. Ugg is still expected to grow mid-single digits, and diluted earnings per share expectations range from $5.15 to $5.25 for the year.
EXEC: Saucony Brand’s Q3 China Retail Sell-Through Growth Exceeds 50 Percent
The core Xtep Brand posted a mid-single-digit year-over-year growth for the offline and online channels in China, with a discount of ~25 percent for the three months ended September 30.
EXEC: Birkenstock Takes Over Direct Distribution in South Korea
The company will capitalize on the South Korean consumer’s buying potential selling DTC through its online shop. In spring 2025, it will open its own stores and expand with selected department stores.
EXEC: Hoka & Ugg Parent Gets October Surprise Downgrade; Others Say Not So Fast
BTIG Analyst Janine Stichter and her team cited concerns over slowing growth trends in the company’s Hoka and Ugg businesses. Williams Trading Analyst Sam Poser started his recent Deckers Brands note with, “Buy DECK.”
EXEC: Li Ning Posts Mid-Single-Digit Retail Sales Decline in Third Quarter
The offline channel, including retail and wholesale, posted a high-single-digit decline for the quarter, while the company’s e-commerce virtual stores business registered mid-single-digit growth for the period.
EXEC: Li Ning Forms Joint Venture to Manage Brand Outside of Mainland China
The joint venture (JV) will develop and operate the Li Ning Brand business outside of Mainland China, principally in an area that includes Hong Kong, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan, on an exclusive basis.
EXEC: VF Corp Placed on Negative Catalyst Watch Due to TNF, Vans Pressures
JP Morgan trimmed its earnings estimates for VF Corp and placed the stock on “Negative Catalyst Watch” on concerns over ongoing wholesale pressures facing The North Face, Vans and TNF both fighting softer DTC traffic, and elevated inventory levels impact on margins.
EXEC: UK’s Shoe Zone Plc Saw FY Profits Impacted by Weather and Shipping Costs
The UK-based discount footwear retailer said it expects earnings before taxes to decline 40.7 percent in its fiscal year ended September 28 as revenues declined slightly and container prices increased.
Global Survey: Running Race Participation Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Running USA Global Runner Survey was based 7,400 runners and event participants, was conducted over June and July 2024. Brooks and Asics again ranked as the preferred running and training footwear brands by respondents.
EXEC: Nike, Inc.’s Debt Ratings Outlook Lowered by S&P
S&P Global Ratings downgraded its debt ratings outlook on Nike, Inc. as the company pulled its financial guidance for the fiscal year ending May 2025 and postponed its investor day amid a strategy shift and CEO transition.
Report: M&A Activity in Active Lifestyle Sector Seeing Strong Recovery
Houlihan Lokey’s “Active Lifestyle Market Update” for the second quarter shows M&A activity in the active lifestyle space has rebounded strongly from a “muted” 2023, “supported by increasing confidence, renewed financing market activity, and a return of mega deals.”
EXEC: Adidas AG Appoints Mathieu Sidokpohou Head of Global Sales as Hoeld Departs
Sidokpohou joined the company in 2020 as general manager of Adidas France. In July 2021, he became Cluster South Europe’s general manager before taking over as managing director for Europe in 2023. He succeeds Arthur Hoeld, who will step down at the end of October.
Report: September Retail Sales Top Expectations, Led by Clothing and Footwear
U.S. retail sales increased a seasonally-adjusted 0.4 percent month-over-month in September, up from the unrevised 0.1 percent gain in August, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The performance was slightly ahead of the 0.3 percent the Dow Jones forecasted.
EXEC: Nike Eyes Stronger Return to Outdoor Business with Renewed ACG Focus
Nike has tasked Angela Dong, Nike’s top executive in Greater China, with overseeing its outdoor sub-brand, All Conditions Gear (ACG), as Nike revisits its opportunity in the outdoor space to revive growth.
