SGB Executive

Bank of America slashed its rating on Kohl’s to “Underperform” from “Buy” due to supply chain constraints while reinstating its rating on Foot Locker at “Under Perform,” also citing supply-chain issues as well as waning stimulus dollars.

A new study from BMO Capital Markets found that although many brands are aggressively shifting towards direct-to-consumer, underlying profitability may be better selling through wholesale channels.

At a virtual fireside chat at Morgan Stanley Global Sporting Goods Day, John Vandemore, CFO, Skechers USA, said the footwear giant has limited exposure to Vietnam compared to the brand’s competitors but still faces many unknowns due to the overall supply chain disruption.

Northwest River Supplies (NRS), one of the largest manufacturers and distributors in the paddlesports category, has inked a deal with Gore-Tex to bring its waterproof/breathable fabric into a high-end drywear line.

With Aspen, CO’-based Ute Mountaineer’s recent agreement to purchase long-running Boulder, CO-based retailer Neptune Mountaineering, it brings together two independently owned marquee Colorado retailers under one umbrella. SGB Executive caught up with both owner and seller to hear their thoughts about the acquisition.

At the Financial Times’ Future of Retail digital seminar, Sweaty Betty’s CEO Julia Straus discussed the many ways she expects Wolverine Worldwide’s acquisition of the U.K-based women’s activewear brand to pay off.

Shares of Nike Inc. fell 6.2 percent on Friday after the athletic giant slashed its growth outlook for the current year due to COVID-19-driven port congestion and factory shutdowns in Vietnam. A few analysts remained cautious on Nike’s stock given the uncertainty around the supply chain and China growth but Wall Street remains bullish on the brand’s long-term growth prospects.

Nike Inc. said demand for the Nike Brand remains robust, but the combination of port congestion and COVID-19-driven factory shutdowns in Vietnam will cause sales for its current fiscal year to come in well below targets. Inventory shortages are also expected to continue until the second half of the calendar year 2022.

Many of today’s paddlecrafts are made from plastic and/or resins that aren’t exactly good for the planet. But more companies in the category are embracing Mother Earth and are weaving sustainability initiatives into their products, from using eco-friendly materials to better manufacturing and shipping practices.

A survey from Citi Research taken in September found that Nike and Adidas are back in favor with Chinese consumers following an uproar in March with several Western companies over their stance on China’s Xinjiang region.

Boosted by strong gains from Rip Curl and Oboz, Kathmandu Holdings Ltd. saw revenues jumped 15.1 percent in the fiscal year ended July 31, to NZ$922.8 million ($654MM). On an analyst call, CEO Michael Daly said the goal is to establish Rip Curl as the number one surf brand in Australasia and a top-three brand in North America and Europe and expand Oboz into a U.S. $100 million business in the medium term.

Retailers broadly delivered second-quarter results that handily topped Wall Street’s targets and lifted their 2021 guidance as sales momentum remained resilient. However, supply chain concerns, marked by port congestion and recent factory shutdowns in Vietnam that could limit second-half growth, were widely discussed on recent quarterly calls. Insights from Dick’s SG, Hibbett, Academy Sports, Big 5, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Foot Locker and Lululemon follow.

According to a number of forecasts, holiday sales this year are expected to expand at least seven percent year-over-year. However, supply chain disruption, inflation and labor shortages continue to present challenges. Holiday insights from AlixPartners, Deloitte, Mastercard SpendingPulse, Bain, Affirm and Shopkick

Analysts issued largely bullish reports following Crocs unveiling a five-year plan at its Investor Day that calls for a nearly tripling of its sales, driven by major growth targets in digital, sandals and China.

With VF Corp recently selling adventure luggage company Eagle Creek to Travis Campbell, its former president of emerging brands, the new owner has big plans for a brand whose doors were shuttered just a few months earlier.