SGB Executive Footwear

Oppenheimer Upgrades Foot Locker
Oppenheimer upgraded Foot Locker to “Outperform” due to strong innovation arriving from Nike, ongoing momentum at Adidas and a pickup in mall traffic.

Academy Sports Faces Layoffs Again
Following a round of layoffs last summer, Academy Sports + Outdoors said it will be laying off approximately 140 corporate employees largely due to the outsourcing of certain IT functions at the retailer.

Hello Denver! (Take Two)
SGB reached out to a number of attendees of the inaugural Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show and heard largely positive feedback. Comments from Klean Kanteen, Vasque, Bogs, Pro-Tec, Massey Outfitters, OrthoLite, Croakies, Implus, Sweet Protection, Maine Outdoor Brands, Walls Outdoor Goods, Dare 2b, Craghopppers, Free Country, Kamik, MSR and Honey Stinger.

Hello Denver! (Take One)
With healthy traffic in the aisles extending into the last two days of the show for many exhibitors, the inaugural Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show was largely a hit. Comments from SCARPA, LEKI, OOFOS, SIA, Smartwool, Osprey Packs, Kari Traa, Oboz, Mountain Khakis, Downlite Outdoor, Stanley, Honeywell Retail and Seirus. More responses to come Thursday.

Should Boomer Women Fitness Enthusiasts Feel Ignored?
According to a study from JWT London Innovation Group, older Boomer women “feel invisible or ‘edited-out’ when it comes to the leisure and fitness category.”

Susquehanna Sees VF Benefiting from Entrepreneurial Spirit
Susquehanna lifted its estimates and price targets on VF Corp. in part due to a greater entrepreneurial push across brands being established by Steve Rendle, who became CEO at the start of 2017.

Aisle Talk, Week of January 22
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.

Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show off to Strong Start
“2017 was wild. 2018 is our new beginning,” said Marisa Nicholson, show director for Outdoor Retailer Thursday morning at the annual OIA Industry Breakfast. “The beginning of a more unified industry as we welcome our friends from the snow sports industry.”

Susquehanna Upgrades Dick’s SG To Positive On Weather Benefit
Believing the retailer’s fourth-quarter results should surprise on the upside given management’s conservative guidance and the benefits of cold weather, Susquehanna Financial Group raised its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods to “Positive” from “Neutral.”

Sheikh Shoes To Pursue Sale
Shiekh Shoes, in bankruptcy proceedings since November 29, is now exploring a sale of the chain as well as a reorganization with current owners.

Amazon Already Dominant Website For Buying Apparel
Amazon, which has ramped up its investments in the apparel space in only the last few years, appears to have quickly become the leading place consumers buy apparel online, according to a new survey from CPC Strategy.

Wedbush Lifts Rating On Nike On Potential NA Return To Growth
Wedbush upgraded Nike to “Outperform” from “Neutral” due to its expectation that margins should start improving by its spring (May 2018) quarter and greater confidence in a return to growth in North America in its fiscal year ended May 31, 2019.

Aisle Talk, Week Of January 15
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.

Telsey Advisory Group Upgrades Foot Locker
Telsey Advisory Group (TAG) upgraded Foot Locker to “Outperform” as the investment boutique expects the sneaker chain’s comps can turn positive as a strong lineup of product launches arrives.

CES 2018: Sports Tech’s Highlights
Artificial intelligence, sensors embedded in apparel, the quantified self and gamification were some underlying themes across the sports and fitness-related products that landed at CES 2018. Black Box VR, Garmin, Peloton, Myant, L’Oreal and Sony were among the brands earning some hype.