SGB Executive

For apparel maker Picture Organic, sustainable materials and fighting climate change have been core to their mission since its inception. SGB Executive sat down with CEO Julien Durant to learn more about sugar cane’s role in the brand’s journey to be a more sustainable company.

Kelty has launched a new line of CBD cream to tap into the $4 billion domestic CBD market. SGB Executive caught up with General Manager Russ Rowell, who credits the overlap between outdoor industry consumers and CBD users for the move.

Fox Factory Holding Corp. reported sales at Specialty Sports Group (SSG), its cycling component division, rose 44.6 percent in the fourth quarter, marking SSG’s best quarter to date for revenue. Officials were also bullish on continued robust segment growth in 2021 while citing supply chain risks.

With Outdoor Retailer recently announcing its Summer Market tradeshow will move from June to August 10-12, 2021, SGB Executive caught up with OR Senior VP and Show Director Marisa Nicholson to look inside the decision.

Foot Locker Inc.’s fourth-quarter earnings topped Wall Street’s targets with the boost of healthy full-price sell-throughs. However, congestion at U.S. ports in part caused a sales shortfall in the period and resulted in a double-digit decline in inventory levels at year end that promises to challenge spring selling. Said Dick Johnson, chairman and CEO, “The bottleneck situation at the ports remains in flux.”

The Top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market for the week of February 22, 2021 covered in the SGB Updates and delivered to your inbox every business day.

Acushnet Holdings reported fourth-quarter sales grew 14.2 percent, led by strength in the Titleist golf clubs range. The company predicted robust growth for the majority of its businesses in 2021 as its rides golf’s resurgence in the wake of the pandemic. David Maher, Acushnet’s CEO, said, “The game and industry are in good shape, golfer engagement is strong and trade inventories are generally healthy and in some cases low.”

Wolverine World Wide Inc. reported its fourth straight quarter of double-digit declines in sales but predicted a strong recovery in 2021 with the help of its investments in digital and DTC e-commerce. Sales for 2021 are projected to grow in the range of 22 to 26 percent with a return to double-digit growth expected for Saucony, Merrell and Wolverine in the first quarter.

Rocky Brands reported sales jumped 16 percent in the fourth quarter, riding momentum in work and western footwear styles, combined with ongoing strength in direct-to-consumer business. Rocky Brand officials also spoke enthusiastically about the growth potential from its proposed acquisition of Honeywell’s lifestyle footwear business, which includes The Original Muck Boot Company and XTRATUF.

CODI revenue for the quarter ended December 31 was $474.8 million, up 22.7 percent compared to $387 million for the prior year period. This year-over-year increase primarily reflects acquisitions of Marucci and BOA during 2020.

Puma expects the financial impact from the pandemic lockdowns to linger until near the end of the second quarter due to a recent spike in lockdowns, primarily in Europe. However, global growth in running is seen helping support strong improvement in the third and fourth quarters. Bjørn Gulden, CEO, said on a media call, “I believe we have more of the pandemic behind us than we have ahead of us.”

The ski boot line-up for 2021/22 places walking at the forefoot with new soles and walking mode mechanisms that don’t sacrifice power or performance. The following is a sampling from SGB of the ski boots you will find at retail for the season.

Crocs Inc. recorded its highest revenue and adjusted operating profit of any quarter in the company’s history as sales in the fourth quarter ran up 56.5 percent. The growth was led by the Americas and EMEA regions with digital seeing the fastest growth among channels. Sales growth is projected in the range of 40-to-50 percent for the first quarter and 20-to-25 percent for 2021.

Nautilus Inc. reported that it ended 2020 with a tremendous fourth quarter, executing on all fronts with growth across all brands, channels and products, but saw disruptions in global logistics, notably the shortage of shipping containers.

With 2020/21 marking one of the deadliest avalanche seasons on record, avalanche gear sales are booming. Joining transceivers, probes and shovel sales are those of airbags, a pack that houses an airbag that users can deploy to keep them near the surface.