SGB Executive Outdoor

EXEC: REI Co-Op Sales Ticked Lower in 2023; Loss Widens
REI reported that three factors largely drove the loss: its commitment to continue investing in hourly employee pay, its commitment to providing a member reward and a $169 million non-cash valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.

EXEC: Adidas Swings to Q1 Profit as DTC Drives Top-Line Growth
Footwear revenues grew 13 percent in Q1, said to be driven by the strong brand momentum, particularly in the Originals and Football categories, and Apparel sales were up 2 percent in the period. Accessories grew 1 percent.

EXEC: Velo Shuttering Colorado Cyclist and Planet Cyclery, Running Liquidation Sales
B. Riley is facilitating the total liquidation of Planet Cyclery and Colorado Cyclist’s inventory, in connection with the executed General Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC) of Velo.

EXEC: Thule Gets Shot in the Arm from Resurgent Bike Business in Q1
In the Americas, the recovery of the cycling market boosted bike-related products sales, but Packs, Bags & Luggage category sales declined due to “significantly lower” sales of legacy products that are phasing out gradually.

EXEC: Columbia Using Temp Stores to Offload Excess Goods as it Fights to Right-Size
While the company is focused on improving the Columbia, Sorel and Prana businesses through investments in innovation and marketing, the company only has to look as far as its Mountain Hardwear brand and new leadership and direction to see early results of similar efforts.

EXEC: Mips Continues to Turn the Business Around in Q1 After Tough 2023
For the consecutive second quarter, Mips delivered growth in the Bike sub-category and has seen inventory levels of helmets with consumers and retailers returning to healthier levels.

EXEC: Ahead, Craft, Cutter & Buck Parent Sees Sales Decline Cut into Bottom Line
The Swedish-based owner of Ahead, Auclair, Craft, Cutter & Buck, and Tenson reported that first-quarter net sales decreased 7 percent to SEK 1.995 billion. Regionally, Central Europe, followed by the U.S., performed best in sales volume.

EXEC: Osprey and Hydro Flask Both Expanding Product Ranges and Distribution
Osprey should strengthen internationally with growth in the EMEA and APAC on demand for travel packs, while the U.S. will expand in sporting goods. For Hydro Flask, it’s all about color and configuration in the U.S. while expanding in tge EMEA through Osprey’s distribution footprint.

EXEC: Shimano Q1 Sales Down 20 Percent on Continued Bikes and Fishing Weakness
In this current macroeconomic environment, the company said demand for bikes and fishing tackle continued to be weak, and for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, net sales decreased 20.2 percent year-over-year to ¥100.5 billion.

EXEC: Vista Outdoor Re-Engages with MNC Capital on Potential Buy-Out Interest
Given that the current deal with CSG has raised more than a few eyebrows in the U.S. Congress from those that see an issue with selling an American ammo maker to a foreign entity, it sounds like Vista may see it as more prudent to keep all options open.

EXEC: Saucony, Merrell and K-Swiss China Retail Partner Sees Slower Q1 Growth
Xtep International had 110 Saucony-brand stores and four Merrell-brand stores operational in Mainland China at the end of 2023. The company boasted 101 K-Swiss stores in the Asia Pacific region at the end of the year, with 94 Palladium brand stores to end 2023.

EXEC: Giant Group Posts 20 Percent Sales Decline in First Quarter
The Giant Group reported monthly revenues for March 2024 fell in double digits once again, declining 17.4 percent to NT$7.12 billion, representing a moderation from a sharp 27.2 percent crash in February.

EXEC: Under Armour’s HR Chief and DEI Leader to Exit Company
Tchernavia Rocker’s departure represents the second female senior executive planning to exit the company in the last two months. Rocker joined UA in February 2019 as chief people and culture officer.

EXEC: Adidas Gets Another Yeezy Lift in Q1; Increases 2024 Guidance
Adidas now expects full-year 2024 currency-neutral revenues to increase at a mid- to high-single-digit rate in 2024, up from its previous forecast for a mid-single-digit increase. The latest Yeezy drop added revenues of around €150 million and an operating profit of around €50 million in the first quarter.

BRC: UK Retail Sales See Good Recovery in March, Outpacing U.S. Trends
The British Retail Consortium said UK total March retail sales increased 3.5 percent year-over-year in March, cycling growth of 5.1 percent in March 2023. This was said to exceed the 3-month average growth of 2.1 percent and the 12-month average growth of 2.9 percent.