SGB Executive

After a successful debut in Denver last June, Kick Show—the B2B trade show for the run specialty channel that’s hosted by the Running Industry Association—will return to the Mile High City and to the same venue, The Curtis Hotel, in May 2020. RIA’s executive director, Terry Schalow, spoke with SGB about what’s coming for year two of the industry’s “working trade show.”

Nike’s decision to pull distribution from Amazon is expected to be a positive catalyst for any other retailer of Nike merchandise, but particularly sellers of moderate-priced footwear. But analysts also believe the move reveals deeper insights into Nike’s evolving distribution strategy.

Snowsports Industries America (SIA) is getting back into hosting large-scale, live shows—albeit with a different target market than its former signature event. About two and a half years after selling its annual B2B event Snow Show, SIA announced Friday it had agreed to acquire a pair of B2C snow sports expos. SIA leaders share why this move is another step in a new direction for the trade association.

Top headlines from across the active lifestyle industry featured in SGB during the week of November 11, 2019.

Amid a challenging political climate for the firearms industry, American Outdoor Brands Corp. (AOBC), the parent of Smith & Wesson, announced it would split into two publicly traded companies— Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. (firearms) and American Outdoor Brands Inc. (outdoor products and accessories, or OP&A). SGB digs into why the company chose the spinoff route.

Nike’s move to stop selling footwear and apparel directly through Amazon is apparently an admission that the art of policing Amazon’s third-party sellers is becoming more challenging as the marketplace continues to grow. But it also reinforces Nike’s ambition to directly connect with consumers.

Despite Canada Goose Holdings Inc.’s upbeat second quarter—which included revenues doubling in Asia—its shares tumbled $4.22, or 10.8 percent, to $34.82 at market close Wednesday on the news that political turmoil in Hong Kong is disrupting the company’s operations and sales.

Iconix Brand Group said cost-control efforts led to improved operating profits in the first quarter. Sales fell sharply due to the loss of direct-to-retail (DTR) agreements – including Danskin at Wal-Mart – but Starter delivered healthy gains.

As Camping World Holdings Inc. pivots away from outdoor retail and as the recreational vehicle market continues to sputter, the Lincolnshire, IL-based company sees the sale of used RVs as a logical path forward for the business, according to Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis.

GoPro, as expected, reported dismal third-quarter results in part due to production delays but management forecast a robust fourth quarter due to strong early reads on the Hero8 Black and Max cameras. Said Nicholas Woodman, CEO, on a conference call with analysts, “Simply put all signs indicate Hero8 Black and Max are unquestionable hits”

Sturm, Ruger & Co., seeing little improvement in demand for firearms, reported net earnings declined 47.8 percent in the third quarter as sales slumped 17.3 percent.

SportChek’s comparable sales grew 4.6 percent in the third quarter, boosted by robust online growth, according to the quarterly report of its parent, Canadian Tire. Helly Hansen’s sales jumped 16 percent, boosted by expansion in Canada.

Dorel Industries Inc. reported third-quarter revenue at Dorel Sports increased 14.2 percent, to $250.3 million. The gains were driven by revenue growth across all three divisions, driven by strong performances at the Cycling Sports Group (CSG).

Sequential Brands Group Inc., the parent of Avia, And1 and Gaiam, said it is in the “final stages” of selecting a new CEO and has drawn interest in its exploration of the sale of some of its brands.

Nautilus Inc. posted a loss in the third quarter that was significantly below Wall Street’s expectations as shipment delays tied to the trade war dragged down sales in the Retail segment and the timing of launches held back the Direct segment.