SGB Executive Outdoor

CES 2018: Sports Tech’s Highlights

Artificial intelligence, sensors embedded in apparel, the quantified self and gamification were some underlying themes across the sports and fitness-related products that landed at CES 2018. Black Box VR, Garmin, Peloton, Myant, L’Oreal and Sony were among the brands earning some hype.

Buckingham Research Hikes Dick’s To Buy

Buckingham Research raised its rating due to the potential bottoming of domestic athletic cyclical pressures, an improving vendor product pipeline set to arrive in the second half of 2018, and an eventual payback from its strong partnerships with the industry’s key branded players: Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.

Macquarie Capital Downgrades Under Armour To Underperform

Macquarie Capital downgraded its rating on Under Armour to “Underperform” due to sales, margin and capital concerns. Sales In North America are expected to be pressured by the speculated exit out from tennis and some outdoor categories as well as continued challenges from Academy Sports & Outdoor.

Hydro Flask Sees Robust Sell-Throughs In Q3

Said Julien Mininberg, CEO of Helen of Troy on a conference call with analysts, “Hydro Flask, with its number one market share position in insulated beverage bottles, continues to enjoy excellent point of sale performance across channels we track; retailer inventory levels are largely in line with consumer takeaway.”

SGB Industry Outlook 2018

Nearly 40 active lifestyle industry executives share their thoughts on where we’re headed next. Comments from Brooks, Smartwool, PGA Tour Superstore, United Sports Brands, Fleet Feet, PrimaLoft, The North Face, Osprey Packs, TRX Training, Wilson, Saucony, SKLZ and others.

Lululemon Still Bullish On North American Expansion

While hiking its guidance for the fourth quarter, Lululemon officials at the ICR Conference Monday laid out some core catalysts expected to drive its North America segment in the years ahead.

Billabong And Quiksilver To Create Action Sports Giant

Two companies that have struggled in recent years –Billabong and Boardriders (formerly Quiksilver) – have agreed to merge in hopes of faring better together tackling the brutal action sports marketplace.

Wells Fargo Sees Dick’s As Long-Term “Survivor”

Wells Fargo upgraded its rating on Dick’s Sporting Goods to “Outperform” in part because it believes the company will ultimately benefit from the industry’s consolidation, much like Best Buy has done in the consumer electronics channel.

M&A Fever Continues In 2017

Cabela’s, Gander Mountain, Eastern Mountain Sports, Majestic Athletic, Icebreaker, Villa, JackRabbit, Ogio and SIA’s Snow Show were among the businesses sold in yet another busy year of M&A action in 2017.