SGB Executive Outdoor
Dick’s Touts Strong Vendor Relationships
Despite aggressive shifts by many vendors to pursue growth in direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels and the widely-covered challenges the chain is facing with Under Armour, Ed Stack, Dick’s Sporting Goods’ CEO, told attendees at Goldman Sachs’ Annual Global Retailing Conference that the chain’s vendor relationship have “never really been better.”
SGB Exec Q&A: Decathlon USA’s COO Sophie O’Kelly De Gallagh
Sophie O’Kelly de Gallagh, COO of Decathlon USA, talked to SGB about Decathlon’s return to U.S.retailing with the company’s “lab” store in San Francisco, the retailer’s unique vertically-integrated model and expansion plans.
Aisle Talk Week of August 27
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. sending Walmart a cease and desist notice in response to the launch of a new outdoor website on Walmart.com curated by Moosejaw.
5 Takeaways From Paddlesports Retailer
Now that the sun has set on the second annual Paddlesports Retailer show, SGB is highlighting key takeaways from the event, including reaction to the new venue, the hottest trend in paddlesports and why the specialty channel remains a priority amid market changes.
Dick’s Blames Q2 Top-Line Shortfall On Under Armour
Dick’s Sporting Goods reported earnings that easily topped Wall Street’s targets but sales came in well below as weakness from Under Armour continued to place a drag on sales. On a conference call with analysts, Ed Stack, CEO, said the company is “repositioning” its Under Armour business, including gaining more exclusives from the brand while finding other product to fill traditional Under Armour space.
Superfeet: Taking Shape To New Realms
Superfeet has grown more than 40 percent in the last five years, moved into footwear and 3D-printing, become 100-percent employee owned and now has a new mission statement. John Rauvola, Superfeet’s CEO, discusses the new mission, emerging opportunities in new and old areas, and the company’s unique culture.
Moosejaw Brings Premium Outdoor To Walmart.com
In an interview with SGB Executive, Eoin Comerford, general manager of Outdoor, Walmart U.S. e-commerce and CEO of Moosejaw, said Wal-Mart’s “whole strategy” in acquiring several specialty e-tailers was to bring a “wider assortment” to the Walmart.com platform. A curated website distinct from the Moosejaw.com website was eventually seen as the best path for both businesses.
Aisle Talk Week of August 20
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including 5.11 opening a new store in Reno, NV, as part of a nationwide brick-and-mortar retail expansion.
Under Armour’s Collaboration with “The Rock” Tops List Of Best-Matched Celebrity Endorsements
Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson’s endorsement deal with Under Armour earned top ranking among best-matched celebrity-brand partnerships in the fashion and retail sectors, according to a study from Spotted. Also ranking high was Crocs’ partnership with Drew Barrymore, Under Armour and Steph Curry, Reebok and Gal Gadot, Adidas and Lionel Messi, Asics and Novak Djokovic and Marmot and Nick Offerman.
The Storyteller: Joe Prebich Outlines Vision For Mammut North America
Joe Prebich, who was appointed CEO and managing director of Mammut North America in April, spoke with SGB at length about the company’s ambitious plans to grow the 156-year-old, Switzerland-based apparel and gear brand’s presence on this side of the Atlantic.
SGB Executive Q&A: Progression Brands Group’s Ian Widmer
Ian Widmer, the founder of Progression Brands Group (PBG) talked to SGB about his company’s unique hybrid equity/management investment structure, the boutique’s investment criteria and the opportunities and challenges facing emering brands in today’s marketplace.
SGB Executive Q&A: Confluence Outdoor VP Of Marketing Todd King
Todd King, the vice president of marketing for Confluence Outdoor—parent of such renowned paddlesports brands as Perception, Dagger, Wilderness Systems and Mad River—spoke with SGB about what’s happening with the company and some of the issues facing the industry today.
Retail Reports Roundup
Studies arrived last week on consumers placing a higher priority on newness, online cart abandonment challenges, digital marketing’s effectiveness, strapped consumers and stores associate bonds helping deter shoplifting.
Aisle Talk Week of August 13
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including VF Corp.’s market-moving news that the company is spinning off its jeans division and relocating to Colorado along with The North Face, Smartwool and other brands.
SGB Executive Q&A: John Sears Of Gregory Mountain Products
John Sears, VP of design and development at Gregory Mountain Products, sat down with SGB at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver, CO, to discuss the latest backpack trends and also how the brand has flourished in the past four years under new ownership.
