SGB Executive Footwear

Hibbett Remains Optimistic As Digital Initiatives Ramp Up

The leadership team at Hibbett Sports Inc. fully understands that the company is far behind competitors’ digital investments, but the company is making concerted efforts to catch up, and digital progress showed up in Hibbett’s first-quarter earnings.

All Brands Deliver For Deckers In Q4 But Ugg Stands Out

Revenue growth across the Deckers Brands portfolio—Ugg, Hoka One One, Teva and Sanuk—allowed the Goleta, CA-based footwear company to close fiscal 2018 on a “high note,” said President and CEO Dave Powers.

Nike Acknowledges Diversity Shortfalls In FY16/17 Sustainability Report

In the company’s just-released FY16/17 Sustainable Business Report, Nike Inc. stated that leadership representation for women globally and underrepresented minorities (URM) in the U.S. “have not evolved as fast as we would have liked” since the company’s last sustainability report arrived in 2016. The report also lists an extensive number of steps Nike is taking to improve diversity and inclusion efforts.

LL.Bean Chairman Urges UNH Grads To Lead ‘Adventure-Filled” Lives

In his commencement address for the University of New Hampshire’s 2018 graduating class, Shawn Gorman, L.L.Bean’s chairman, called the outdoors “a critical antidote to this hyper-competitive, hyper-stressed, tech-driven world we live in.” While technology powers the world in wonderful ways, “it will never fill your soul like a sunrise in the mountains,” he said.

Kohl’s Delivers Blow-Out Q1 On Active Strength

Led by 10 percent comp growth in its active assortments, Kohl’s Inc. reported first-quarter earnings that easily topped Wall Street’s targets and lifted its guidance for the year. Nike, Under Armour and Adidas led the active gains and the department-store operator is planning a 30-store test that will see square footage dedicated to active expand by 40 percent.

The Running Event Has A New Owner

Oakley Dyer, corporate vice president, strategy & corporate development, Diversified Communications, told SGB Executive, “We always look for industries that have a need for face-to-face interactions for buyers and sellers as well as a need for content and education. The Running Event and Running Insight fit this perfectly.”

Macy’s, Dillard’s Lead Department Store Performance In Q1

Department stores have seen diverging performances in the first quarter. Of the stores that reported earnings in the past week, Macy’s and Dillard’s exceeded Wall Street expectations on income and revenue, while Nordstrom improved income and revenue but missed on comparable sales and J.C. Penney stumbled.

Boot Barn Tops Guidance On Double-Digit Comp Growth

Boosted by significant improvement in the retailer’s ladies business and the roll out a new performance-boot platform, Boot Barn reported same-store sales grew 12.1 percent in the fourth quarter ended March 31 while earnings came in well ahead of guidance.

The Spring Of Nike’s Discontent

March, April and May should be a time for Nike Inc. to focus on promoting new products and growing North American revenue, but this spring the global footwear giant has instead been stumbling over accusations of workplace harassment, which has led to a host of high-profile executive departures

Adidas Gets Caught In Rockport Bankruptcy

The Rockport Group filed for bankruptcy and cited a complex and expensive two-year transition process separating from the company’s former parent, Adidas, as one of the reasons for the filing. Court filings also show Adidas holds unsecured claims amounting to more than $70 million.