SGB Executive

On Nordstrom’s fourth-quarter earnings call, Pete Nordstrom, president, said the retailer’s partnership with Tonal, the at-home connected gym start-up, is just one part of the chain’s efforts to build on recent success in the active category.

Driven by the trifecta of robust sales growth, margin expansion and a leaner cost structure, Big 5 Sporting Goods reported its third successive quarter of record earnings while predicting continued momentum in 2021. Steve Miller, CEO, told analysts, “We are pleased with all we accomplished in 2020, and we are even more excited by the prospect than many of the recreational and product trends initially driven by the pandemic will prove to be sustainable even as the disruption of the pandemic subsides.”

When GOA released its final 2020 year-to-year sales numbers from its 94 retailers operating 195 doors, it showed the up and down swings associated with the pandemic. SGB Executive caught up with Gabe Maier, vice president, GOA, to go behind the numbers, talk about the upcoming launch of its Switchback retail data tool, the outlook for 2021, and more.

The adventure travel industry has been hit hard by the pandemic. SGB Executive spoke with 50-year-old, family-owned adventure travel business OARS for insight into the market with Steven Markle, vice-president of sales and marketing.

Kohl’s reported activewear outperformed in the fourth quarter and remains one of the chain’s “most productive categories.” Kohl’s reiterated plans to increase in-store space dedicated to active assortments by at least 20 percent in 2021. Michelle Gass, Kohl’s CEO, told analysts, “Our vision is to be the most trusted retailer of choice for the active and casual lifestyle.”

For apparel maker Picture Organic, sustainable materials and fighting climate change have been core to their mission since its inception. SGB Executive sat down with CEO Julien Durant to learn more about sugar cane’s role in the brand’s journey to be a more sustainable company.

Kelty has launched a new line of CBD cream to tap into the $4 billion domestic CBD market. SGB Executive caught up with General Manager Russ Rowell, who credits the overlap between outdoor industry consumers and CBD users for the move.

Fox Factory Holding Corp. reported sales at Specialty Sports Group (SSG), its cycling component division, rose 44.6 percent in the fourth quarter, marking SSG’s best quarter to date for revenue. Officials were also bullish on continued robust segment growth in 2021 while citing supply chain risks.

With Outdoor Retailer recently announcing its Summer Market tradeshow will move from June to August 10-12, 2021, SGB Executive caught up with OR Senior VP and Show Director Marisa Nicholson to look inside the decision.

Foot Locker Inc.’s fourth-quarter earnings topped Wall Street’s targets with the boost of healthy full-price sell-throughs. However, congestion at U.S. ports in part caused a sales shortfall in the period and resulted in a double-digit decline in inventory levels at year end that promises to challenge spring selling. Said Dick Johnson, chairman and CEO, “The bottleneck situation at the ports remains in flux.”

The Top National stories and the Latest headlines across the Active Lifestyle Market for the week of February 22, 2021 covered in the SGB Updates and delivered to your inbox every business day.

Acushnet Holdings reported fourth-quarter sales grew 14.2 percent, led by strength in the Titleist golf clubs range. The company predicted robust growth for the majority of its businesses in 2021 as its rides golf’s resurgence in the wake of the pandemic. David Maher, Acushnet’s CEO, said, “The game and industry are in good shape, golfer engagement is strong and trade inventories are generally healthy and in some cases low.”

Wolverine World Wide Inc. reported its fourth straight quarter of double-digit declines in sales but predicted a strong recovery in 2021 with the help of its investments in digital and DTC e-commerce. Sales for 2021 are projected to grow in the range of 22 to 26 percent with a return to double-digit growth expected for Saucony, Merrell and Wolverine in the first quarter.

Rocky Brands reported sales jumped 16 percent in the fourth quarter, riding momentum in work and western footwear styles, combined with ongoing strength in direct-to-consumer business. Rocky Brand officials also spoke enthusiastically about the growth potential from its proposed acquisition of Honeywell’s lifestyle footwear business, which includes The Original Muck Boot Company and XTRATUF.

CODI revenue for the quarter ended December 31 was $474.8 million, up 22.7 percent compared to $387 million for the prior year period. This year-over-year increase primarily reflects acquisitions of Marucci and BOA during 2020.