SGB Executive Outdoor
EXEC: Academy Sports Talks Push for Better Footwear Allocations
Steve Lawrence, CEO at Academy Sports, elaborated on the retailer’s efforts to improve access to better product from its footwear vendor partners and secure new brands, including Hoka and On.
Bob’s and EMS to Close Stores, Layoff Employees Amid Financial Struggles
Owned by Los Angeles-based GoDigital Media Group, Bob’s Stores and EMS are closing some stores and will layoff employees beginning June 14 as it company faces liquidity woes.
EXEC: Academy Sports CEO Remains Bullish on Sales Recovery
Academy Sports and Outdoors missed Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the second straight quarter on lower-than-expected sales but Steve Lawrence, CEO, told analysts he remains confident growth will improve in coming quarters as the chain benefits from a focus on newness and value while capitalizing on key selling occasions over the year.
EXEC: Vista Outdoor Receives New Bid For Ammo Business, JDH Capital Reported Bidder
Vista Outdoor reported it received an all-cash $2 billion takeover offer for its ammunition business from an unnamed private U.S. investment firm. JDH Capital, the investment group run by Texas oil billionaire Jeffrey Hildebrand, is behind a new bid, sources told the Financial Times.
EXEC: Zumiez Saw U.S. Business Return to Growth in Q1; Sees Global Growth for Year
Looking to Q2, net sales for the North America business for fiscal May increased 2.5 percent year-over-year, while the Other International business decreased 1.1 percent. Men’s was said to be the largest positive comparable sales growth category followed by Women’s.
EXEC: Sportsman’s Warehouse to Focus More on “Warehouse” and Value Moving Forward
The hunting, fishing, camping and shooting specialty retailer is embracing part of its name in a more profound way as 2024 progresses, promising to focus more on the “Warehouse” part of the name to provide more value for cash-strapped outdoor sports enthusiasts
EXEC: DBI Gets Q1 Lift from Topo and Keds While Dress and Seasonal Drag on Retail
DBI also acquired Rubino, a profitable Canadian footwear retailer operating nearly 30 stores, specifically serving the Province of Quebec. Quebec represents nearly one-quarter of Canada’s population, but DBI had no existing presence. Rubino did CN$47 million in 2023.
EXEC: Salomon Opens Two New Stores in Paris Ahead of the Olympics
The first Salomon Sportstyle brand store opened in Paris’ Le Marais neighborhood, joining its recently reported, newly opened Champs-Élysées flagship location.
EXEC: Birkenstock Holding Raises Full-Year Guidance After Strong Q2 Performance
Fiscal Q2 net revenue amounted to €481 million, an increase of 22 percent (+23 percent CC) year-over-year. Revenue growth reportedly benefitted from increased sales of closed-toe silhouettes, which increased to over 25 percent of total revenue compared to the high teens a year ago.
EXEC: Dick’s SG Leadership Details Q1 Comps, House of Sport, 50K Stores, Q2 View
First-quarter comps were reportedly driven by a 2.7 percent increase in transactions and a 2.6 percent increase in average ticket with strength across footwear, athletic apparel and hardlines. DKS will begin to anniversary the higher shrink rates from 2023 in the second quarter.
EXEC: The Nidecker Group Acquires Iconic Skate Brands from Sole Technology
The Nidecker Group, the Swiss-based snowboard company, has reportedly inked an agreement with Sole Technology to acquire its legendary portfolio of skate brands, including Etnies, éS, Emerica, and ThirtyTwo.
EXEC: TAF Parent Completes Acquisition of Germany-Based Lloyd Shoes
Arklyz owns The Athlete’s Foot, Asphaltgold, Intersocks, Arkrod, and several global licenses or wholesale distribution for Salomon, Head, Nordica, Mammut, Crocs, Adidas, HeyDude, and others.
EXEC: Kona Founders Talk Return to Brand in Open Letter
The founders wrote in a letter to industry friends that there are still many familiar faces specialty bike retailers should know from “epic dealer launches, My Kona videos and trail days who are dedicated to the cause.”
REI Chicago Union Workers Disrupt Anniversary Sale, Walk Off Job
REI Union Chicago workers walked off the job this on Saturday May 18, during the retailer’s annual Anniversary Sale, demanding the retailer reach a “fair contract” by the end of 2024.
EXEC: Tom Cove to Retire from SFIA Leadership Post in October
Always the gentleman, always understated and always a class act, Tom Cove let slip this week that he will retire from his leadership role at the SFIA, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, formerly SGMA, in the fall.
