SGB Executive Footwear

Puma Talks Rihanna Brand Benefits, Promotional Fears

On a media call following the report of above-plan third-quarter results, Bjørn Gulden, Puma’s CEO, detailed how Rihanna was boosting the brand’s women’s business while also indicating a promotional climate in both the U.S. and Europe may crimp fourth-quoter sales gains.

Vans, DTC Power VF Corp.’s Brawny Q3

On a currency-neutral basis, Vans jumped 26 in the third quarter as the Americas grew 22 percent, Europe increased 39 percent and Asia Pacific advanced 23 percent. On the same basis, global sales declined 3 percent at North Face and 2 percent at Timberland, in part due to some fall shipments shifting to the fourth quarter.

Jefferies Sees Curry 4 Becoming Top B-Ball Sneaker This Year

“Our calls, store visits, social media analysis and review of StockX pricing of Curry 4 soft launches (official launch 10/27) points to very strong buzz in the market,” Randal Konik, Jefferies’ lead analyst, wrote in a note to clients.

Goldman Sachs Downgrades Nike Due To Inventory Concerns

Lindsay Drucker Mann wrote in a note that wholesale growth for Nike will be “tougher to come by” with declining traffic and poor productivity at traditional brick and mortar retail partners “driving excess inventory in the system.”

Adidas Hit By Lawsuit By Rick Pitino

The suit claims Adidas has caused the legendary coach “grave damage to his public and private standing and reputation, causing him extreme embarrassment, humiliation, and emotional distress.”

SidelineSwap Looks To Bring Re-Seller Market To Sporting Goods

Brendan Candon, SidelineSwap’s CEO, said, “By building a platform that’s hyper targeted on the sporting goods category, and simplifying the selling process, we’ve been able to attract a ton of athletes who otherwise would have let their gear collect dust in a garage.”

PrimaLoft Finds New Investor To Support Growth

Said Mike Joyce, president and CEO of PrimaLoft, “Our new partnership with Victor Capital will provide the capital, commitment and operating support to drive our technological innovation and market development to new levels.”

IHRSA: Boutiques Continue To Lead Health Club Gains

Membership in U.S. health clubs reached an all-time high in 2016, thanks to 15 percent growth at boutique studios, according to the 2017 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report. Studio members tend to a decade younger than the overall average for all facilities and are more ethnically-diverse.

Adidas Winning, Nike And Under Armour Losing With Teens

According to Piper Jaffray’s Taking Stock With Teens research survey, Adidas, Vans, Birkenstock and Supreme are seeing some of the biggest gains in earning teens’ affection. The losers among the larger bands in the active space include Nike, Ugg and Under Armour.