SGB Executive

Champion’s revenues, excluding the C9 brand being phased out at Target, jumped more than 50 percent in the second quarter despite facing tougher comparisons. HanesBrands, Champion’s parent, said the marked the eighth consecutive quarter that Champion’s growth globally has been at or above 30 percent.

Shares of Fitbit fell 21 percent on Thursday after the company slashed guidance for the full year and indicating it was changing its approach to pricing and promotions as sales of the Versa Lite smartwatch fell short of targets. Fitness tracker sales rebounded in the second quarter, but the company’s streak of quarterly revenue growth will end in the third quarter.

Monday was Jim Barr’s first day as Nautilus Inc.’s new CEO. Three days later, he hosted the company’s earnings call to discuss a lackluster second quarter in which the Vancouver, WA-based exercise equipment manufacturer missed both EPS and revenue expectations. Turning around the company’s fortunes is why Barr was brought on board, so can he deliver?

Profits at Delta Apparel Inc. rose 6.5 percent in third quarter ended June 29, boosted by improved profitability in both its Delta Group and Salt Life Group segments and accelerated top-line growth overall. Among brands, sales grew 18 percent at Salt Life and 3 percent at Soffe. Activewear sales were relatively flat.

Boosted by booming sales in China, accelerated growth in the U.S. and Europe, and broad-based growth across categories, Puma reported second-quarter results that topped analysts’ targets and lifted its guidance for the year.

The acquisition of indoor bike training manufacturer Tacx is boosting Garmin Ltd.’s top line and gross margins. The evidence arrived in the second quarter—the period in which the Tacx deal was completed—as the brand’s sales helped pad Garmin’s growing fitness segment.

Shares of Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. jumped 48 cents, or 29.1 percent, to $2.13 Wednesday after the West-Coast sporting goods chain’s comps rose for the third-straight quarter, quarterly earnings topped guidance, and its balance sheet improved. Robust earnings gains were also forecast for the third quarter.

Under Armour’s second-quarter results were basically in line with expectations and officials indicated that the company’s strategic transformation program is progressing on plan. Shares of Under Armour, however, fell 12.2 percent on Tuesday as sales targets for North America for the year were reduced and Q3 results were guided below Wall Street expectations.

Shares in Sports Direct plunged to an eight-year low in Monday’s trading as the U.K.-based retailer detailed the troubled state of the recently-acquired House of Fraser department store chain and a surprise massive tax bill. But analysts were most concerned over the underperforming core Sports Direct chain and the company’s strained relationships with Nike, Adidas and other key sports brands.

The recreational vehicle industry has hit several speed bumps lately: RV shipments were down double digits last month and some of the industry’s leading companies have seen earnings and shares take a hit from market softness. Also, the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) announced layoffs after scrapping its new trade show platform and it continues to look for a new president after Frank Hugelmeyer resigned.

Deckers Brands said Ugg continued to gain traction with spring offerings to help the company exceed guidance in the first quarter. But the star of the show was Hoka One One, where growth accelerated on the back of strong launches of the Carbon X and Clifton 6. Dave Powers, president and CEO, reiterated past comments that he sees Hoka on the path to becoming a $500 million brand while admitting “the real opportunity is probably bigger than that.”

Columbia Sportswear Co.’s second-quarter earnings report was filled with facts and figures showing how strength throughout its portfolio, balance across its channels and continued margin improvement due to its Project Connect initiative drove record revenue and an earnings beat. But Tim Boyle, the company’s president and CEO, was even more excited about what’s coming in the second half of the year—an unprecedented focus on footwear.

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Zion Williamson, the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, signing a deal with the Jordan Brand. “He’s an essential part of the new talent that will help lead the brand into the future,” said His Airness, Michael Jordan.

Hyperice first disrupted the recovery space with the 2015 invention of the first vibrating roller, the Vyper, and did it again last year with the Hypervolt, the breakout handheld massage tool. SGB Executive talked to Jim Huether, CEO of Hyperice, about the company’s beginnings, the brands’ aggressive move into esports, and why the recovery opportunity is only getting started.