SGB Executive Footwear

Golf Club Sales Drive Acushnet’s Q1 Performance

Strong demand for Titleist golf clubs–most notably the 718 irons, Vokey SM7 wedges and Cameron Select putters–helped drive parent company Acushnet Holdings Corp.’s strong first quarter.

Adidas AG’s North American Momentum Continues

Adidas AG said a slowdown in Western Europe and continued weakening the company’s key footwear franchises in the first quarter was more than matched by strong sales momentum overall in North America and Greater China, an accelerating apparel business and strong full-price selling.

Big 5 Wacked By Weather Woes In Q1

Big 5 Sporting Goods reported that a lack of cold weather crushed its winter business early in the first quarter while the arrival of chilly weather restrained its spring business later in the quarter.

Champion Shines Again For HanesBrands In Q1

HanesBrands Inc. said Champion’s sales outside of the mass channel in the U.S. catapulted over 50 percent in the first quarter, driven by strong consumer demand, space gains in the specialty channels and growth in the online channel.

SGB Executive: Q&A with Matt O’Toole, President, Reebok

SGB Executive talked to Matt O’Toole, Reebok’s president, about the fitness-first brand’s headquarter’s move to the heart of Boston, the Muscle Up turnaround strategy, and untapped growth opportunities.

Columbia’s Strong Q1 Sparks $10M Investment Plan

An impressive first-quarter performance not only increased Columbia Sportswear Co.’s sales expectations for 2018 but also bolstered plans for the company to invest $10 million in e-commerce and other capabilities in the second half of the year.

Amer Sports’ Q1 Boosted By DTC, China And Arc’teryx

Amer Sports’ operating earnings before charges rose 14 percent in the first quarter, boosted by robust growth across its DTC channels and in China as well as strong momentum for Arc’teryx, Precor and Sunto.

Keen CMO: ‘Better Takes Action’ Campaign Aims To Inspire Change

Tyler LaMotte, chief marketing officer at Keen Inc., spoke with SGB Executive about the footwear company’s new campaign, Better Takes Action, which was designed to follow the company’s longstanding philosophy of giving back, taking action and making an impact.

Running Participation Declines Expected To Level Off

With race participation slipping in recent years, a big American win and the gnarly conditions at the Boston Marathon shined a much-needed spotlight on the sport of running. Yet race organizers and running industry execs still believe a renewed focus on delivering unique experiences will be necessary to again drive up race finishers.

Balanced Portfolio, Channel Strategy Fuels Rocky Brands’ Q1

Though Rocky Brands Inc. narrowly missed Wall Street’s revenue estimates in the first quarter, the Nelsonville, OH-based company rode a healthy balance across portfolio and sales channels to more than double net income from the same quarter a year ago.

Shimano’s Q1 Boosted By Fishing Momentum, Cost Controls

Shimano’s earnings showed some recovery in the first quarter with the help of strong expense controls, a profit uptick in the company’s Fishing Tackle segment and a modest earnings gain in Bicycle Components.

Puma Prepares To Shift Production From China Over Tariff Concerns

While delivering robust first-quarter results and lifting its outlook for the year, Bjørn Gulden, CEO of Puma SE, spent the majority of the company’s quarterly conference call with journalists discussing the potential negative impact of tariffs on China.