SGB Executive Outdoor

TJX Shares Slip On Q3 Gross Margin Dip, Earnings Miss

Shares of The TJX Cos. fell $2.14, or 4.4 percent, Tuesday as increased freight costs and supply chain expenses offset the company’s strong expense leverage in the third quarter, dropping gross margin 90 bps to 28.9 percent.

Nordstrom, Macy’s Stand Out In Disparate Q3 For Department Stores

Department stores are a mixed bag heading into Black Friday and the 2018 Holiday Season, as companies like Nordstrom Inc. and Macy’s raised guidance with hopes of closing out the year on strong footing while J.C. Penney and Dillard’s continued looking for ways to keep from stumbling.

Aisle Talk Week of November 12

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Tony Hawk announcing the launch of D/CAL, a hybrid brand consultancy and creative agency, with Adam Wilson, Jared Prindle and Ryan Maconochie.

SGB Executive Q&A: G3 Founder & CEO Oliver Steffen

Oliver Steffen, founder and CEO of British Columbia-based backcountry ski brand G3, spoke with SGB recently about a wide range of topics, including an in-depth look at the company’s G3 University that he and his team designed to help backcountry enthusiasts improve their skills and get the most out of their adventures.

4 Hot Topics From Outdoor Retailer Winter Market

Exhibitors and retailers offered mixed reviews of last week’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market—the first in November and first in Denver—with the majority of companies that SGB interviewed saying they lamented the show’s lack of attendees and overall dearth of energy but lauded the show’s new date.

Bogs Impacted By Later Fall Shipments In Q3

Bogs’ sales were down 5.3 percent on a wholesale basis for the third quarter as shipments shifted later into the fall season. But parent Weyco Group still expects the outdoor shoe brand to deliver an increase in revenue for the year.

Crocs’ Stock Jumps As Turnaround Gains Further Traction

Shares of Crocs Inc. jumped $5.91, or 27.6 percent, to $27.35 on Thursday after the company reported earnings that flew past Wall Street’s targets on 13.7-percent growth in the Americas region and meatier gross margins. Guidance was sharply lifted for the year.

Canadian Tire Touts Growth Potential For Helly Hansen, Looks To Reset Sport Chek

On its third-quarter conference call, Canadian Tire officials indicated that Helly Hansen, acquired in early July, is off to a “good start” with its integration process and should find a bigger presence across the company’s Canadian stores by mid-2019. They also laid out plans for Sport Chek to re-merchandise departments by categories instead of by brand, expand private labels, and improve inventory productivity.

‘Highly Fragmented’ Industry Keeps Camping World In Acquisition Mode

Camping World Holdings Inc. closed on just one acquisition in the third quarter, but the Lincolnshire, IL-based company announced two more deals and signed a purchase agreement for another in October (Q4) as it takes advantage of a marketplace that is ripe for active buyers. “In a highly fragmented industry … we continue to see a number of acquisition opportunities,” said President Brent Moody.

Black Diamond’s Strong Q3 Helps Clarus Reach New Heights

A stellar third quarter from Black Diamond propelled the brand’s parent Clarus Corp. to post record sales in the period and also prompted the company to lift revenue and EBITDA guidance for 2018. Black Diamond notched 12 percent growth, including 14 percent growth in climb and 40 percent growth in apparel.

Retail Reports Roundup

Retail studies arrived on increasing rates of discretionary spending online, online personalization disappointing consumers, disconnects around consumers pricing perceptions, unplanned absence creating selling floor shortages, and rewards members desire for cash.

October M&A Roundup: Implus Nets 20th Acquisition

Acquisitions made by a fitness accessories company, a sporting goods retailer and a bike components manufacturer—each with vastly different track records of making deals—highlighted a busy month for M&A across the sporting goods, outdoor and active lifestyle industries.

OR Winter Market Softness Leads To Emerald Expositions Reducing Organic Revenue Outlook

Smaller-than-anticipated numbers for Outdoor Retailer Winter Market—which makes its Denver and November debuts next week—contributed to Emerald Expositions Events Inc. reducing organic revenue growth expectations for 2018. But Marisa Nicholson, vice president of the outdoor group at Emerald and director of Outdoor Retailer, has a different take on the show, which will be held November 8-11 at Colorado Convention Center.

Newell Brands’ Turnaround Plans Gaining Traction

Shares of Newell Brands Inc. rose 14.5 percent Friday after the consumer-goods conglomerate reported adjusted earnings in the third quarter exceeded expectations as its turnaround efforts made some progress. The full-year EPS outlook was lifted for the year. Coleman’s sales were impacted by lost distribution at a key U.S. retailer. 

Aisle Talk Week of October 29

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including the outlook for U.S. apparel and footwear manufacturers being changed to positive from stable, according to Moody’s Investors. The agency cited the progress of companies like VF Corp. (pictured) in the report.