SGB Executive

“As I said before, and I’ll say again, these are times when strong brands can get stronger, and that’s what Nike did this past year,” said John Donahoe, Nike’s president and CEO, at the company’s 41st annual meeting. He attributed much of the gains to progress coming from its Consumer Direct Acceleration strategy.

On Holding AG attracted largely positive ratings from Wall Street as the quiet period related to its initial public offering ended.

Solo Brands, the parent of Solo Stove, Oru Kayak, ISLE Paddle Boards, and Chubbies apparel, filed for an initial public offering to cement its position as the “leading digitally-native DTC lifestyle disruptor” in the outdoor space

Oboz parent Kathmandu, which purchased the Bozeman, MT-based footwear brand in 2018, recently released its fiscal year results for three of its brands—Rip Curl, Kathmandu and Oboz. With total group sales increasing 15.1 percent to $922.8 million, Oboz helped lead the way, with sales growing 44.9 percent to reach $78.4 million. SGB Executive discussed this and more with its president, Amy Beck.

In his first comments to the investment community on Levi Strauss’ acquisition of Beyond Yoga, Chip Bergh, Levi’s president and CEO, cited opportunities to expand the Los Angeles, CA-based yoga brand into retail, men’s and international as well as take advantage of growth momentum in the overall performance athletic category.

According to the quarterly call of its parent, Helen of Troy, Hydro Flask saw “broad-based strength” in its second quarter, ended August 31, in domestic brick and mortar sales, driven by retailers increasing orders to replenish a more robust back-to-school season and healthy holiday ordering.

Bank of America downgraded Adidas to “Underperform” from “Neutral” due to uncertainty around China’s recovery and supply-chain issues, coupled with ongoing market share losses.

Piper Sandler’s 42nd Semi-Annual Gen-Z Fall Survey found athletic apparel and footwear continue to retain strong appeal among teens. Within apparel, Nike and Lululemon reached new highs in preference. Within footwear, while Nike reigned supreme, Converse and Crocs gained share whereas Vans declined.

In a new report, Bank Of America identified five “megatrends” expected to drive sports apparel and footwear categories in the years ahead: Health & Wellness, Female Sports Participation, Hybrid Working Models, Affordable Luxury, and Sustainability.

On a call with analysts, Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. CEO Mark Smith said that the firearms giant had no recourse but to leave the state of Massachusetts after 150 years to relocate in Tennessee due to proposed legislation that will hurt business.

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.