SGB Executive Outdoor

EXEC: Black Diamond’s NA Sales Show Some Stabilization

Clarus Corp. reported that Black Diamond’s sales improved sequentially from the second quarter and were down modestly in the third quarter as the North American region showed signs of stabilization to offset softness in its European business.

Clif Bar Again Sees Double-Digit Growth In Third Quarter

Mondelez International reported that Clif Bar delivered another quarter of double-digit growth and improved profitability in the third quarter ended September 30. Its other snack bar brands, Grenade and Perfect Snacks, also delivered double-digit gains.

EXEC: Investor Doubts Follow Fox Factory’s Acquisition of Marucci Sports

Fox Factory’s plans to acquire Marucci Sports, the maker of baseball bats and gloves, for $572.0 million has drawn skepticism from Wall Street analysts concerned about the timing given the company’s struggles and how the acquisition fits alongside its core suspension components businesses.

Birkenstock Gets Lift from First Run of Post-IPO Analyst Reports

Wall Street brokerages largely initiated Birkenstock Holding with their top ratings, pointing to a likely boost from the German sandal maker’s loyalty with consumers, expansion into untapped categories, channels and geographies, and recent investments to increase capacity.

EXEC: Wrapping Up the Less-Than-Jolly Holiday Forecasts For Retail

Holiday forecasts arriving in recent weeks roundly forecast sales will slow this year versus pandemic stimulus-boosted gains in recent years. However, while many expect a “resilient” consumer will drive solid gains similar to pre-pandemic levels, some see inflationary and macroeconomic concerns weighing disproportionately on discretionary spending.

EXEC: Boot Barn Cuts Q3 and Full Year Outlook as Retail Turns Sour

Fiscal Q2 retail store same-store sales declined 3.8 percent and e-commerce same-store sales declined 11.7 percent year-over-year. Comps were said to be in line with expectations through August, but September experienced softer-than-expected results and that trend reportedly continued into October.

EXEC: Fenix Outdoor Had a Great Q3 – Then September Arrived

The parent company of the Fjällräven, Royal Robbins, Hanwag and Tierra brands said Q3 started well, with “nice growth” in its Retail businesses; the Brands and Wholesale businesses had recovered and direct orders increased in the period. Then September’s heat hit.

EXEC: VF’s Turnaround Plan to Focus on Vans, the Americas, Debt and Cost Structure

New company CEO Bracken Darrell said the U.S. is not working well. He noted that the company’s innovation engine has historically been strong but had drifted downward over the past few years. He said employees still love the brands and business, but morale was hurt by poor performance. He also said costs and debt were too high, and there were no sacred cows in the turnaround effort. Vans was the first to see change.

EXEC: EMS and Bob’s Stores Look to Reignite Growth

In May 2022, GoDigital Media Group acquired Eastern Mountain Sportsand Bob’s Stores for $70 million in cash. SGB Executive talked with Jason Peterson, GoDigital’s CEO, and Dave Barton, president and CEO, Bob’s Stores and EMS, about how the companies is repositioning the banner for growth.