SGB Executive

Buoyed by robust gains across its Fishing, Watercraft Recreation and Camping segments, Johnson Outdoors reported a significant hike in earnings in the first quarter ending January 1. Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairman and CEO, told analysts, “Consumer demand remained strong during the quarter and customers replenished their depleted inventory levels in anticipation of the upcoming warm weather recreation season.”

A report from The World Federation Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), in partnership with McKinsey & Company, identified eight key themes likely to define the industry’s evolution in the coming period. The report also found that despite the hype over interest in outdoor recreation and home fitness, the sporting goods industry contracted in 2020 for the first time since the financial crisis.

Deckers Brands reported that net sales increased 14.8 percent to $1.08 billion in the fiscal third quarter, compared to $938.7 million for the prior-year comp period. On a constant-currency basis, net sales increased 13.8 percent for the quarter.

Peloton’s fiscal second-quarter earnings and sales trounced analysts’ estimates, but officials warned that near-term investments in its supply chain to speed deliveries will weigh on margins.

Columbia Sportswear reported a better-than-expected fourth-quarter due to continued robust e-commerce sales and a spike in wholesale reorders in December. Officials provided an upbeat outlook for 2021, projecting 18 percent to 20 percent net sales growth with growth across all four of its brands. On a call with analysts, Tim Boyle, CEO, said, “As we begin 2021, we’re encouraged by the building momentum across our brand portfolio.”

Skechers USA posted flat sales in the 2020 fourth quarter even as its direct-to-consumer business took a hit from closed owned-retail stores and the subsidiary’s business in Latin America and Europe surged with strong double-digit growth.

Shares of Canada Goose surged $7.73, or 22.0 percent, to $42.90 Thursday after the outerwear specialist delivered its first quarterly revenue increase since the onset of the pandemic. The gains were boosted by a 39.3 percent hike in global e-commerce revenue and a 41.7 percent DTC revenue gain in Mainland China.

Riding strong outdoor participation trends across its Shooting Sports and Outdoor Products segments, Vista Outdoor reported sales in the third quarter ended December 27 rose 35 percent and predicted sales in the current quarter would climb about 22 percent.

While the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the racing industry, most runners are itching to get back to racing in person again this year, found Running USA’s 2020 Global Runner Survey. Survey analyst Ashlyn Modlin hosted a webinar providing optimism about a healthy return to racing events.

The glove and mitten category deserves a warm high five from retailers this year for innovation, as manufacturers fine-tune materials, designs and more to keep consumers comfortable. The following is SGB Media’s roundup of gloves and mitts from a handful of active outdoor manufacturers you will find on retailers’ shelves this season.

Golf rounds soared 13.9 percent and equipment sales 10.1 percent in 2020, according to Golf Datatech. The outsized growth comes as golf has been perceived as a near-ideal socially distant activity during the pandemic. SGB Executive talked to John Krzynowek, partner, Golf Datatech, about golf’s strong bounceback from the lockdowns that arrived in March 2020, the performance of major categories and how the sport may continue to benefit in the years ahead. 

At a webinar hosted by Coresight Research, Joe Preston, CEO, New Balance, said his company’s sales were down 17 percent in 2020 due to fallout from the pandemic. However, he believes steps taken to enhance digital execution and improve speed-to-market capabilities has set the path for significant growth in the years ahead.

Olin Corp. said Winchester delivered the best quarterly performance in its 155-year history in the fourth quarter ended December 31 due to outsized demand for ammunition, with even better quarters expected throughout 2021. Said Scott Sutton, Olin’s CEO, on a conference call with analysts, “We expect that elevated shooting sport participation is here to stay.”

Capitalizing on the year’s COVID-19-fueled surge in bike sales, in January, Kitzuma Cycling Logistics debuted a new model for shipping bikes in the industry. SGB Executive caught up with COO Chris Cosgrove for the skinny on its step-saving cycling business model.

The Top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market for the week of January 25, 2021 covered in the SGB Updates and delivered to your inbox every business day.