SGB Executive

NPD presented its 2020/21 snow season year in review to the ski industry this week. Hosted by its sports industry analyst Dirk Sorenson and outdoor industry analyst Laura Hills, the presentation included market dynamics that shaped the 2020/21 snow season, dove into COVID-19 and the impact from social distancing mandates, category trends, categories hardest-hit, and […]

A new category is fueling the world of cycling, and it doesn’t have to do with increased participation from the pandemic. It’s the category of gravel, or cross, riding—a mix between mountain biking and road riding that takes place on long, meandering dirt roads. The reason behind the boom is that riders can ride without fear […]

Vail Resorts Inc. wrapped up the 2020/21 North American ski season by reporting steadily improving visitation rates for the third quarter ended April 30 and healthy season pass sales so far for the upcoming 2021/22 North American ski season.

Academy Sports + Outdoors significantly lifted its sales and earnings guidance for 2021 after seeing the strong demand for many of its categories during the pandemic only accelerate further in the first quarter of 2021. Ken Hicks, chairman, president and CEO, said, “Our customers are coming back more often and shopping more areas of the store. Sports and outdoors remain a meaningful part of their lives.”

Steve O’Meara, owner, Kokatat, which this year celebrates 50 years of being Made in the USA, sat down with SGB Executive to talk about the brand’s humble beginnings and its early rise to the national spotlight as a premium paddlesports brand.

According to Kampgrounds of America’s (KOA) annual North American Camping Report, the proportion of first-time campers across the U.S. grew five-fold compared to 2019. COVID-19 proved a key driver behind the influx of many camping attributes, including the 10.1 million households who camped for the first-time in 2020.

G-III Apparel Group reported first-quarter results handily surpassed company guidance as demand for casual apparel remained strong and extended to include additional more categories. Morris Goldfarb, G-III’s chairman and CEO, said, “Demand for athleisure and casual sportswear across our power brands once again accelerated and continues to be strong.”

Lululemon Athletica raised its outlook for sales and earnings for 2021 as first-quarter results showed continued momentum in online sales, a strong resurgence in in-store traffic and strength across its men’s and women’s offerings. On a two-year CAGR basis, revenue increased 25 percent, representing an acceleration relative to its three-year CAGR of 19 percent leading up to the pandemic.

The CEO of a Denver-based oilfield services firm reportedly fired the latest salvo in a campaign to take on The North Face and its Denver-based parent, VF Corp., on its stand against fossil fuels. The latest campaign is apparently in response to TNF’s December 2020 denial of a jacket order from Innovex Downhole Solutions Inc., a Texas oil and gas company.

Tilly’s Inc. reported its best first-quarter net sales and EPS since becoming a public company in 2012 as the action-sport chain’s sales recovery coming out of the pandemic gains momentum. Tilly’s officials also said its expansion of hard goods is seeing a good response and the sustainability section on its website would expand to more than 1,000 products by the end of the third quarter.

Zumiez Inc. may be a leading indicator that the U.S. retail market is getting back to “normal.” The retailer interpreted that its first-quarter profitability reflected a shift to a more historical mix between its store and digital channels as customers are more comfortable returning to in-person shopping.

The Top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market for the week of May 31, 2021 covered in the SGB Updates and delivered to your inbox every business day. This week’s Athlete is Dan Kosick. Merrell Ambassador Athlete whose motto is “I Train So I Can.”

In his first comments to the investment community since taking over as president and CEO of Duluth Holding, Sam Sato said he is seeking to better scale Duluth’s omnichannel assets and remains focused on building a multi-brand brand platform across Duluth Trading, Alaskan Hardgear, 40 Grit and Best Made.

Bill Gamber, co-founder and president, Big Agnes, updated SGB Executive on the brand today, the camping category and its sustainability initiatives post-COVID. 

For Body Glove, Nautica and Spyder licensee Surf 9 business is booming, especially for its rec- and family-friendly SUP line, headed by watersports division president Luke Hopkins who developed Body Glove and Nautica’s SUP lines.