SGB Executive Footwear
EXEC: RG Barry Parent Marubeni Acquires Jacobson Group and Its Brand Portfolio
The Japanese conglomerate has acquired Jacobson Group, the owner of the British retro sneaker brand Gola. Jacobson’s portfolio of footwear brands also includes Lotus, Ravel and Frank Wright, along with licensed brands Dunlop and Lonsdale.
EXEC: Market Shrugs Off Adidas Downgrade; Analyst Sees Weaker Europe SG Space
It appears that BofA may see the Sportsyle trend slowing and the performance bump from the World Cup and the Winter Olympics may only result in a short-term bump – at least in Europe.
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead — Active Lifestyle Footwear Leaders
Footwear leaders in the active lifestyle space are hopeful that product differentiation and enhanced online engagement can help soften the sting of higher footwear prices in 2026. Forecasts for 2026 from industry leaders at AAFA, Altra Running, Brooks Running, Circana, Charm City Run, Diadora, FDRA, Fleet Feet, Gazelle Sports, Lowa, Playmakers, and RG Barry Brands.
EXEC: SGB 2026 Look Ahead – Active Lifestyle Industry Analysts and Advisors
This is the first installment in a series of articles from SGB Media exploring the industry’s outlook for 2026, with future reporting to include the viewpoints of vendors, retailers, component companies, and trade organizations in the active and outdoor lifestyle space. Insights from executives at Houlihan Lokey, RW Baird, Lincoln International, Karnan Associates, Wells Fargo, Stifel, BCE Consulting, and Outsize Consulting.
SGB 2025 Year in Review: Active Lifestyle Stocks Take It On the Chin Again
The wide majority of stocks trading in the active lifestyle space in 2025 sharply underperformed broader market gains for the fourth straight year. The lackluster performance was in large part due to disruptions from tariffs, as well as stalled turnaround efforts in several major stocks, including Nike, VF Corp. and Lululemon.
EXEC: Arklyz Completes Acquisition of Gabor Shoes
Arklyz, the Swiss parent of The Athlete’s Foot, has completed its acquisition of Gabor Shoes, a German brand known for its women’s shoes designed in Germany and handcrafted in Europe.
EXEC: Apple CEO Doubles Stake in Nike, Inc.; NKE Shares Move Higher
NKE shares rose in low single-digits overnight on news that Apple CEO Tim Cook took advantage of the lower share price and jumped in with a ~$3 million purchase of NKE shares on Monday, December 22.
SGB 2025 Year In Review: Active Lifestyle M&A — Part Two
SGB Media presents a roundup of M&A action in the industry for the second half of 2025, including new deals struck or closed in the final days of 2025..
SGB 2025 Year In Review: Active Lifestyle M&A — Part One
While M&A activity in the active lifestyle space in 2025 was again dominated by smaller tuck-ins and medium-size acquisitions, Skechers, Foot Locker, Hanesbrands, OrthoLite, and Helly Hansen were among the major deals that were completed during the year. Here is a roundup of the industry’s M&A action for the first half of 2025.
EXEC: Textiss To Take Over Umbro France Footwear and Apparel License
Textiss, which has served as Umbro’s underwear and socks licensee in France for the past decade, will assume responsibility for the brand’s licence from the Royer Group, which has held the rights for the past 10 years.
Golden Goose Acquired by Chinese Fund HSG at €2.5 Valuation
Italian luxury sneaker maker Golden Goose reported that the Chinese private equity firm HSG, formerly Sequoia Capital China, has become a majority shareholder after buying a stake from current owner Permira.
EXEC: European Workwear Giant Strauss to Open U.S. HQ in Ohio
Engelbert Strauss Inc., the German workwear brand known as Strauss, plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Columbus, OH. Founded over 75 years ago, Strauss’ line ranges from high-visibility jackets to protective gloves, work shoes, and safety caps.
EXEC: Nike Shares Fall Double Digits Overnight as Cautious Q3 Guide Spooks Investors
Nike, Inc. reported second-quarter results that ended November 30 and handily topped analyst targets, but the company also issued third-quarter guidance that was weaker than expected, as strength in North America is expected to be offset by weakness in China and Converse, as well as ongoing tariff headwinds.
EXEC: Compass Diversified Calls Out Primaloft and BOA Strength in Late Fiscal Q1 Report
Compass Diversified, which earlier this year suspended reporting its financial results due to major accounting irregularities and fraud discovered at its Lugano Diamonds subsidiary, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 and plans to file reports for the second and third quarters of 2025 in the coming weeks.
EXEC: Birkenstock’s Shares Drop 10 Percent on Tariff Warning, Soft Guidance
Birkenstock Holding plc reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended September 30 that easily exceeded analyst targets, but shares fell 11 percent on Thursday, December 18, after the company warned that trade tariffs would weigh on profit margins in its new fiscal year and that revenue growth would slow due to production constraints.
