EXEC: Nike Signals Uphill Struggle as New CEO Settles In
On Nike’s first-quarter analyst call, Matt Friend, EVP and CFO, said Nike is finding success with some new products, particularly in running, and the hiring of Nike veteran Elliott Hill as CEO was enthusiastically received by Nike’s employees. However, he warned that business conditions worsened in the quarter with online traffic, retail sales across the marketplace and spring orders all coming in lighter than planned.
EXEC: U.S. Now Largest Region for JD Sports; Finish Line Banner to Retire
The parent of the JD, Hibbett, Finish Line, DTLR, and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S. and JD and others worldwide saw revenue grow 5.2 percent to £5.03 billion in the first half, including £61 million from 10 days of Hibbett sales.
EXEC: Patagonia Lays Off 41 Employees at Ventura HQ in Restructuring
CEO Ryan Gellert said in a LinkedIn post that the restructuring aims to “enhance product development, improve customer experiences, and foster a vibrant workplace culture.”
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent’s Bid for Mulberry Rejected
Luxury handbag maker Mulberry Group Plc rejected a takeover approach from Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, and announced plans to proceed with its emergency fundraising to support a turnaround.
Analysts: Nike Could Cut Guidance Tonight
Several analysts expect Nike will lower guidance for the second straight quarter when it reports first-quarter results after the market’s close on Tuesday due in part to weakness in China but also to lower the bar for incoming CEO, Elliott Hill.
Iconix Completes Acquisition of Salt Life in Bankruptcy Proceedings
Brand management company Iconix International Inc., in partnership with the Hilco Consumer-Retail Group (HCR), has completed its acquisition of the Salt Life apparel brand for $38.74 million after previous owner Delta Apparel Inc. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late June. All 28 of Salt Life’s stores will close following the company’s bankruptcy sale as the brand’s new ownership transitions to a wholesale and e-commerce business model.
EXEC: The Pro’s Closet to Shutter in October After 18-Year Run
Deeper than usual discounts on bike and gear this week were seen as end of season sales, but when opening the site on Thursday, September 26, it was clear the end had come for the 18-year effort to make cycling accessible to more people.
EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz Parent KMD Posts Double-Digit Decline for Fiscal Year
Rip Curl total sales decreased 7.3 percent y/y to NZ$538.9 million, Oboz sales decreased 20.0 percent y/y to NZ$79.4 million, and Kathmandu total sales decreased 14.5 percent to NZ$361.1 million for the year.
EXEC: Vista Delays CSG Merger Vote Again as Large Investor Opposes Deal
The company noted in a media release that October 9 is the last possible date for the company to hold the special meeting ahead of the October 15, 2024 termination date in the merger agreement with CSG. A large investor said not so fast.
EXEC: SEC Charges Terminated Foot Locker Exec with Insider Trading
Barry Siegel, the former senior director of order planning management for North America, agreed to a civil settlement after allegedly using material nonpublic information about sales and inventories to short FL shares prior to two Foot Locker earnings announcements in 2023.
EXEC: Leatt Partners with ZyroFisher in Distribution Deal for UK and Ireland
ZyroFisher will begin distributing Leatt products in the UK and Ireland in Spring 2025, with pre-orders starting November 2024, providing a larger portfolio of mountain bike-oriented protective products.
EXEC: Golden Goose Gets Strong DTC Lift to Post DD Growth in First Half
DTC net revenues reached €226.8 million, accounting for 73 percent of total revenues in the first half on 18 percent year-over-year growth. Wholesale revenues were down 5 percent y/y to €74.6 million in H1, accounting for 24 percent of total net revenues in the period.
Cultural Shift: Lululemon’s Global Wellness Report Finds Wellbeing Burnout
Lululemon’s fourth annual 2024 Global Wellbeing Report underscores a move towards a more personalized approach to well-being amid a fast-paced digital lifestyle. For market stakeholders, understanding the nuanced needs of consumers is key for success in this evolving landscape.
EXEC: Giant Group Subsidiary Acquires Stages Cycling Assets Out of Chapter 11
SPIA Cycling, Inc., a subsidiary of Taiwan-based The Giant Group, has successfully acquired key assets of the Stages Cycling brand from its owner companies, some of which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June.
EXEC: Analysts See Nike’s CEO Change Giving the Brand Room to Maneuver
Not since ET, the Extraterrestrial has the resurgence of someone named Elliott created the amount of excitement Nike, inc. generated on Thursday when the company named former Nike exec Elliott Hill as the next president and CEO of the largest sporting goods company in the world
