SGB Executive

At its first “Here for Her” Summit in New York City, Dick’s Sporting Goods brought out three Olympians, the actress Katie Holmes, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and others to celebrate and extend its commitment to supporting women’s sports.

The active lifestyle marketplace began 2020 with a high volume of M&A transactions, but the most notable story didn’t involve a done deal—just one of the highest-profile companies in the industry announcing plans to rightsize its portfolio and potentially target new assets. The January M&A Roundup examines VF’s latest move and asks what’s next?

Growing concern over the coronavirus, sharpened focus on participation and climate, and restored faith in the outdoor trade show lineup were among SGB Executive’s top takeaways from last week’s Outdoor + Snow Show in Denver, CO. Here’s what emerged from three days of walking the show and talking with dozens of industry stakeholders.

Delta Apparel Inc. reported sales in the first quarter ended December 28 fell 5.7 percent due to a challenging 2019 holiday calendar. Improving gross margins, however, helped drive profitability gains.

For the second year in a row, Nike was the dominant footwear and apparel brand among Millennials, according to Roth Capital Partners’ 2020 Millennial Survey. The eighth annual survey was completed by 2,500 Millennial-aged women and men and examines current trends, spending patterns and favorite brands across six consumer categories.

Johnson Outdoors Inc. reported sales rose 23 percent in the first quarter ended December 27. The gains were helped by a delay in the prior-year first quarter and the availability of new products in the Fishing segment but all other segments, including Watercraft Recreation and Camping, showed solid gains in the period.

Deckers Brands reported the largest revenue and earnings quarter in its history, helped by successful diversification efforts for its flagship Ugg brand and another quarter of explosive growth for Hoka One One. Deckers again raised its outlook for its fiscal year and now expects Hoka’s sales to reach $350 million, up from $223 million the prior year.

Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, the largest U.S. tradeshow and business event for the outdoor industry, held its annual event this week in Denver, CO at the Denver Convention Center. SGB Executive continues its live report from the show floor with pictures from Day Three.

Top headlines from across the active lifestyle industry featured in SGB during the week of January 27, 2020.

Bollé Brands, the Lyon, France-based parent of such brands as Bollé and Spy Optic, on Wednesday announced a new corporate headquarters for its U.S. operation and a heightened focus on the North American market. The company’s global and U.S. marketing leaders spoke exclusively with SGB Executive about the changes.

Shares of Unifi Inc. fell $6.78, or 24.8 percent, Wednesday to $20.53 after the polyester giant’s second-quarter earnings came in below expectations and guidance for the year was again lowered. The flood of polyester imports into U.S. markets from China and India continues to impact results.

Here is SGB Executive’s photo recap, Day Two, from Outdoor Retailer’s Venture Out where we met creatives and cutting-edge outdoor gear for today’s urban consumer.

Here in Denver, CO we’re having great weather for the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show. SGB Executive is reporting Live from the show floor starting today, Day 1, through Friday, January 31. We’re available for interviews and comments or reach out to us at editor@sgbonline.com. We look forward to seeing you in the aisles!

Scott Allan, who has led Hydro Flask since 2012, will retire as global general manager of the brand, effective March 1. Here, Allan discusses his plans for retirement and some of the ingredients behind the success of Hydro Flask.

Royal Robbins is taking its apparel and accessories directly to consumers through an ambitious and adventurous brick & mortar initiative that kicks off in two strategic U.S. locales—Denver and Seattle—the company’s CEO Michael Millenacker told SGB Executive this week. He breaks down the decision behind the retail gambit.