SGB Executive Footwear
Community Engagement Pays Off
Whether its coaches for BSN Sports, runners for Fleet Feet or the local Latino community for WSS, the benefits of engaging communities was spelled out loudly at a session featuring a number of retailers at the SFIA’s recent Industry Leaders Summit in Denver. The challenges in driving consistent engagement were also heard.
Aisle Talk Week of October 1
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including BSN Sports, a division of Varsity Brands and the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets, completing its acquisition of Port Jeff Sporting Goods (pictured).
VF Corp. To Say Bye To Reef
While acquiring Icebreaker and Altra this year amid stepped-up efforts to “reshape” the company’s portfolio, VF Corp. on Thursday reached an agreement to sell Reef, the surf-inspired sandal brand, to The Rockport Group. The divestiture will mark the first sell-off of a brand that had been part of the company’s Outdoor or Active coalitions that has driven the company’s growth for the last two decades.
College Basketball Scandal Spreads
In opening statements in the first trial tied to the FBI’s investigation into corruption throughout college basketball, a lawyer representing James Gatto, Adidas’ former director of global sports marketing, asserted that her client’s payments to the families of top high school basketball recruits were only made to compete with similar payments being made by Nike and Under Armour.
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.
