SGB Executive

With the Canadian government opening its borders to U.S. tourists on August 9, after being closed since March 2020, outfitters north of the border are rejoicing, but is it enough to save a second straight season of losses? SGB Executive checks in with Canadian outfitter Madawaska Canoe Centre to get its outlook on the outdoor industry amid the pandemic.

Planet Fitness Inc. has regained approximately 75 percent of the members it lost from its peak numbers in Q120 to the low of Q420. Chris Rondeau, CEO, told analysts on a call, “We believe the unseasonal momentum and our membership gains are fueled by people recognizing the importance of self-care.”

The Top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market for the week of August 9, 2021 covered in the SGB Updates and delivered to your inbox every business day. This week’s Ambassador Athlete is Mustang Survival’s Emily Nagel, a professional sailor, who takes her “life = sailing” motto seriously.

Recently adding Ocean Rodeo and MTI to its brand portfolio, Mustang Survival is enjoying a growth spurt. SGB Executive caught up with Josh Horoshok, recreation division vice-president, to discuss its recent acquisitions when other companies are downsizing and bringing its offshore safety role into new markets.

SportChek’s same-store sales continued to see a strong recovery, jumping 28.6 percent in the second quarter ended July 3 year-over-year and advancing 5.1 percent over the 2019 second quarter. Canadian Tire Corp.’s officials said the growth reflected strong demand for casual wear as well as athletic footwear and apparel. The gains came despite inventory constraints.

Shuttering its doors in late 2017 after 20 years in business, merino wool apparel brand Ibex is back up-and-running under GM and mountain athlete Bonie Shupe, who spoke with SGB Executive on the struggles in relaunching the brand during the pandemic and plans to make it relevant once again.

On its first-quarter conference call, Canada Goose officials discussed the company’s strong digital momentum, the benefits Canadian manufacturing is providing amid the ongoing supply chain disruption and its confidence in its move to end the use of fur in its products.

In July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the addition of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. SGB Executive touched base with a few industry players in the category to see what it could spell for the burgeoning backcountry market, a sector already growing before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Callaway Golf Co.’s sales catapulted 208 percent in the second quarter, boosted by the addition of Topgolf and a nearly doubling of golf equipment and soft goods revenue as the sport of golf shows little sign of losing momentum. Chip Brewer, president and CEO, said beyond the many new entrants due to the pandemic, core golfers are “playing more than ever and showing strong enthusiasm for the game.”

Boosted by strong demand for its connected fitness offerings, Nautilus Inc.’s earnings and sales in its first quarter ended June 30 came in well ahead of guidance, but officials warned that higher commodity prices and transportation costs could weigh on margins over the next few quarters.

Johnson Outdoors reported sales ran up 54 percent year-over-year in the third quarter ended July 2, led by near double-digit gains in Camping and Dive segments. Investments are being made in air freight to help offset supply chain disruptions.

Delta Apparel Inc. reported sales jumped 65.3 percent in the third quarter ended July 3 to $118.7 million. Sales were relatively flat against 2019 third-quarter levels as a 36 percent increase at the Salt Life Group segment helped offset a 5 percent decline in the Delta Group segment. The sales performance was in line with an update provided in mid-July.

Fox Factory Holding Corp. said its Specialty Sports Group (SSG), its cycling component division, soared 64 percent in the second quarter despite continuing supply chain constraints. Fox officials estimated it would still take 8-to-10 months to match the current customer demand level and another 12-to-18 months to refurnish depleted inventory channels.

On its second-quarter conference call, Tom Florsheim, Weyco Group’s chairman and CEO, said Bogs “had an excellent spring” while warning that supply chain disruptions could restrain growth across its second half. Florsheim also sees strong growth potential for its just-acquired outdoor footwear brand, Forsake.

Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist, significantly lifted its guidance for the year after reporting another blowout quarter. The improved outlook comes despite the company facing raw material constraints and production challenges tied to recent spikes in COVID-19 cases.