SGB Executive

At a media event in New York City, Foot Locker Inc. unveiled its new FLX loyalty program that will launch to consumers in a “few weeks.” The program will allow members to earn points across all Foot Locker banners. Said Jed Berger, chief marketing officer, Foot Locker, “It’s really our declaration to our consumer that we are in fact one family and we’re going to create incredible consumer benefits that keep our consumers within our family.”

As the outdoor industry descends on Denver this week for Outdoor Retailer’s newly fashioned Outdoor + Snow Show, the vibe inside Colorado Convention Center will be instantly recognizable. Despite the familiarity, however, change is in the air. SGB Executive previews this year’s show and also touches on the backdrop of a changing trade show landscape.

Emily Newman was named executive director of Camber Outdoors last September, bringing stability to an organization that had endured a tumultuous and transitional 2019. As 2020 kicks off and with Camber’s controversy behind it, Newman is determined to help the organization find a new path forward. She spoke with SGB Executive about that plan.

VF Corp. reported Timberland’s sales fell 4 percent on a currency-neutral basis in the holiday quarter and the brand is now expected to show a decline in sales for its fiscal year ended March 31. VF officials also indicated growth for Timberland wouldn’t likely resume until fiscal 2022.

Plenty is happening these days at VF Corp., which reported fiscal third-quarter earnings Thursday. SGB Executive highlights five takeaways from VF leadership’s comments on the earnings call, including the prioritization of M&A, the progress at Vans and what’s happening with The North Face’s latest fabric innovation.

Top headlines from across the active lifestyle industry featured in SGB during the week of January 20, 2020.

VF Corp. on Thursday slightly lowered its guidance after missing revenue expectations, but perhaps even more significant was the announcement earlier this week that the apparel and outdoor giant was strategically reviewing the so-called “occupational brands” of its work division.

What drove Boulder, CO-based snowshoe manufacturer Crescent Moon to pursue a sale? Why did its founders ultimately choose Dunn-Rite Products, which had no prior experience with winter sports products? Crescent Moon’s Jake Thamm and Dunn-Rite’s Tanner Dunn go behind the deal and discuss what’s next for the longtime brand.

Wall Street sees VF Corp’s plan to explore a sale of nine occupational work brands as a way to further reduce complexities in the business, strengthen its focus on consumer-centric brands and possibly open the door for a major acquisition.

Backpack brand Gregory Mountain Products is expanding its headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, thanks to double-digit sales growth and rapidly expanding R&D and marketing departments. SGB Executive talks with the company about what’s driving the need for larger digs.

A record crowd of 40,000 attended the NRF Big Show last week in New York City to explore retail’s latest tech tools set to battle the digital transformation. Officials at Puma, Nike, Under Armour, Kohl’s, Adidas and Patagonia were among those leading education sessions.

“Specialty retail is the lifeblood of our industry, said Tom Gately, president of Snowsports Merchandising Corp. (SMC), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate the milestone, SGB Executive spoke with Gately about the importance of the longtime buying group, changes in the industry, and what’s on tap for the organization and the channel in the next 50 years.

A dearth of snow at Pacific Northwest ski areas wreaked havoc on Vail Resorts Inc.’s skier visit totals through January 5, but the Broomfield, CO-based company maintained its EBITDA guidance for the fiscal year thanks to improving conditions at the affected resorts and strong pass sales across its footprint.

At the NRF Big Show in New York City, Stuart Hogue, Nike’s VP, marketplace development, discussed the sports giant’s successful partnership with Zalando that he said should serve as a “bit of a blueprint” for other brands and marketplaces to copy. The presentation followed Nike’s move last November to end its direct sales relationship with Amazon, the world’s largest marketplace.

Top headlines from across the active lifestyle industry featured in SGB during the week of January 13, 2020.