SGB Executive

Speaking at SFIA’s virtual conference, “Back on Track: Insights and Strategies,” Puma North America’s president and CEO Bob Philion discussed how the digital shift has helped Puma secure space on retail selling floors.

The Top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market for the week of September 21, 2020, covered in the SGB Updates — delivered to your inbox every business day.

REI Co-op launched an ambitious new climate platform that will see the Co-op more than halve its carbon footprint over the next decade while also completing a 14-year commitment to be carbon neutral in its operations in 2020. Here, SGB Executive talked with REI’s President and CEO Eric Artz about the retailer’s stepped-up climate goals, what it means for the Co-op’s strategic partners and community, and how REI’s business has adjusted to the economic disruptions from COVID-19.

Nike Inc. delivered essentially flat sales in the first quarter ended August 31, recovering from a 38 percent slide in its fiscal fourth quarter, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Online sales continued to accelerate, climbing 82 percent, to offset still eroding store sales.

In what sounds like bad news for shoelaces, Compass Diversified (CODI) told analysts its acquisition of BOA Technology is supported by its belief the BOA’s growth is just getting started. BOA’s sales from 2017 through 2019 grew at an 18 percent CAGR.

Modell’s Sporting Goods Inc., after nearly six months in bankruptcy proceedings, filed its Chapter 11 liquidation plan that calls for unsecured creditors, including trade vendors with claims, to recover less than one percent of their claims.

With 107 retail outlets and an outdoor product mix as diverse as its store locations, publicly-traded Sportsman’s Warehouse has weathered COVID-19 better than perhaps any other major outdoor retailer (its second-quarter report heralded a five-fold growth in earnings and sales up 79.9 percent). SGB Executive caught up with CEO Jon Barker to shed light on its success during the pandemic.

At the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association’s (IHRSA) Innovation Summit held virtually last week, the theme was “Reimagine. Reinvigorate. Rebuild.” The loudest call, however, was the elevated messaging around both the safety and the health benefits of fitness clubs and letting members know that it’s safe to return to their favorite gym.

Snowsports Industries America (SIA) recently released the results of a first-of-its-kind survey on the impact COVID-19 has had on skier and riders’ spending, shopping, planning, and shredding habits for the upcoming winter season.

The Top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market for the week of September 14, 2020 covered in the SGB Updates — delivered to your inbox every business day.

Underscoring its commitment to expanding athleisure assortments, DSW has partnered with Reebok to sell apparel for the first time. A collection was introduced Thursday on its website DSW.com.

“One of the silver linings of this coronavirus is people do really want to get outside and recreate,” Vista Outdoor’s CEO Christopher Metz said at C.L. King’s 18th Annual Best Ideas Conference.

John Donahoe, Nike’s CEO, recently talked with PayPal’s CEO, Dan Schulman, about leadership and purpose-driven business in PayPal’s “Never Stand Still” online leadership discussion series. The two also discussed navigating each company through  COVID-19 and against racism within each CEO’s respective business.

Earlier this summer, California-based watch and accessory brand Nixon promoted Nancy Dynan to president replacing outgoing CEO Scott Kerslake. SGB Executive caught up with her in Nixon’s Encinitas, CA, headquarters to talk all things timepieces.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), Canada’s largest outdoor chain, will end its 49 years as a co-operative with a sale to Kingswood Capital Management, a Los Angeles-based private investment firm. The sale is designed to help stabilize the struggling business.