SGB Executive

Winnebago Industries Inc.’s sales jumped 40.4 percent and 54.1 percent in the fiscal year ended August 28 as healthy demand for outdoor recreation coming out of the pandemic boosted its RV and boat businesses. Said Michael Happe, CEO ““The pandemic has undoubtedly catalyzed accelerated powerful demand for outdoor experiences.”

Xero Shoes, Bombas, Stone Glacier, William Murray Golf, Vibe Kayaks, PXG, and JLab Audio were among several companies in the active lifestyle space that landed on the 2021 Inc. 5000 annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

According to the sixth edition of PwC’s Sports Survey, executives across the broader sports industry, including sports federations, broadcasting and marketing agencies, have become more optimistic about the sports industry’s prospects amid signs of recovery from the pandemic.

As autumn slowly yields to winter and consumers’ minds gravitate to winter goods, in particular outerwear, retailers and manufacturers are still consulting their Ouija Board to see what kind of sales season it’s shaping up to be 18 months into the pandemic.

There’s a new waterproof/breathable fabric coming out from Gore. In a heralded media presentation with company executives on September 30, W. L. Gore & Associates announced that it’s introducing expanded Polyethylene (ePE) membrane as a new complementary material platform to serve as the basis for its membrane technologies.

In August, the International Organization for Standardization confirmed its ISO standard 23223, Alpine Ski Boots with Improved Walking Soles, making Marker’s GripWalk technology an industry-standard beginning this year.

As a subset of the outdoor industry, the water filters and purifier category enjoyed robust growth during the pandemic, capitalizing on consumers’ growing desire to get outside.

Cowen’s fourth annual Gen Z and Millennial survey found that Nike, Air Jordan and Lululemon have solid traction by preference in the active lifestyle space among the younger demographic. The North Face and Amazon also ranked high by preference, and the overall survey suggested ESG and social commerce gained greater momentum in 2021.

In initiating coverage of Nike Inc. with a “buy” rating, Goldman Sachs noted that sportswear giant is facing more macro headwinds, including weakness in China, supply chain disruption and cotton inflation, “than it has in some time.” However, analyst Kate McShane said Nike’s underlying fundamentals remain solid, and the recent pullback offers some stock upside.

Aspen Institute’s just-released State Of Play 2021 survey found that most kids are back playing sports with their families feeling more comfortable about their safety amid the ongoing pandemic. However, challenges remain with more kids feeling less physically fit and mentally drained.

“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.