SGB Executive Footwear
Vans, The North Face Fuel VF Corp.’s Sizzling First Quarter
Continued strength in VF Corp.’s biggest brands—Vans, The North Face and, to a lesser extent, Timberland—along with balanced geographic and channel sales, helped the company deliver a standout first quarter with earnings well above Wall Street’s expectations.
Aisle Talk Week of July 16
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Boa Technology Inc. opening the company’s new environmentally friendly headquarters in Denver, CO.
Skechers Shares Tumble On Q2 Miss And Poor Outlook
Skechers USA’s shares fell $6.95, or 20.9 percent, to $26.30 on Friday after the company reported second-quarter earnings that fell well short of guidance and provided a soft outlook for the third quarter. Investors were reportedly frustrated that Skechers’ focus on funding long-term expansion efforts is coming at the expense near-term earnings improvement.
Sports Direct Burned By Outside Investments
While underlying earnings are benefiting from its “Elevation” efforts to upgrade its stores, Sports Direct reported that its U.S. business, consisting of Bob’s Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports, showed loss in its fiscal year ended April 29 and a number of other investments aren’t paying off.
Adidas Downgraded On Heightened Competition
Wells Fargo Securities downgraded shares of Adidas due to renewed growth in North America at Nike, continuing explosive growth at Vans and some lackluster results from the launch of new Adidas platforms.
SFIA Webinar Stresses Urgency In Applying For Tariff Exclusions
On a webinar Wednesday, David Cohen, an international trade expert with Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg and Bill Sells, SVP government relations & public affairs at the SFIA, discussed the urgency for affected sporting goods companies to seek exclusions to avoid the latest round of tariffs on Chinese imports. The first deadline in the exclusion process is less than 10 days away.
Did Adidas Or Nike Win The World Cup?
Sponsoring the two finalists at the World Cup was a sign to some observers that Nike had outperformed Adidas in driving brand awareness, and likely sales, from summer’s biggest sporting event. But both brands appear to have benefited.
SGB Executive Q&A: ISA TanTec CEO Talks Expansion
In an SGB Q&A, Isa TanTec CEO Uwe Hutzler explains why business is booming for the Macau, China-based leather supplier whose tanneries produce material for brands such as Timberland, Wolverine, Deckers, Keen, Clarks, Danner/LaCrosse, Rockport, The North Face and more.
Retail Report Roundup
Studies arrived last week on BTS selling arriving early, stores dominating BTS selling, Amazon Prime Day launching BTS season, U.S. retail CEOs who are bullish on growth, Nordstrom’s high emotional intelligence ranking, Amazon’s broadening influence and loyalty-program inhibitors.
SGB Executive Q&A: Oofos’ Steve Gallo
Steve Gallo, president of Offos, discusses what’s behind the recovery-footwear leader’s explosive growth, the brand’s fanatical fans and the still-emerging recovering footwear opportunity.
Aisle Talk Week Of July 9
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Fabletic’s big hires and ambitious plans to reach 100 stores.
Does 2026 World Cup Present “Open Goal” For Adidas?
In a 26-page report, analysts at Macquarie Research said the 2026 World Cup, which is taking place in North America, represents a major opportunity for Adidas to increase the company’s lead in the sport of global football (soccer) and could significantly help narrow the company’s wide gap in U.S. market share against Nike.
Deutsche Bank Sees Momentum At Vans, Bounce Back For North Face
Deutsche Bank Research initiated coverage of VF Corp. with a “Buy” rating in part because the firm sees Vans continuing to benefit from healthy streetwear trends in the years ahead while The North Face appears ready to re-accelerate growth.
Jefferies Downgrades Genesco To Hold
Jefferies lowered its rating on Genesco Inc. to “hold” from “buy” due to expectations that Journeys’ sales will moderate in part due to expectations that Vans’ recently-robust gains will also show some moderation. The investment firm also cited risks around a Lids’ sale and the stock’s run up so far this year.
Adidas Files Objection To Rockport Bankruptcy Sale
Adidas and its subsidiary Reebok International LTD—the former parents of The Rockport Group LLC—have filed an objection to the forthcoming bankruptcy sale of Rockport due to outstanding debts stemming from the companies’ own sale of Rockport three years ago.
