Tilly’s Revenues Regain Momentum
After a sluggish start, Tilly’s sales recovered in the latter months of the second quarter and have accelerated with the arrival of back-to-school selling.
Aisle Talk Week Of August 26
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Standard & Poor’s Corp. revising its outlook on the debt ratings of Bass Pro Group to stable from positive following Bass Pro’s release of second-quarter and first-half results that were below its expectations.
Puma Looks To Roar On Fifth Avenue
On Wednesday, Puma opened a 24,000-square foot flagship on New York City’s Fifth Avenue with a host of interactive elements designed to engage today’s tech-savvy youth. SGB talked to Puma’s top management about the store’s innovative features and how the store will help build on the brand’s recent momentum.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Adeptly Seizing Firearms Opportunities
The firearms market has proven ripe for Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. of late, and the most recent evidence arrived Wednesday when the company reported a 3.3 percent increase in firearms sales and a 5.3 percent increase in firearms and ammunition sales for the second quarter. Now those numbers could grow thanks to both outside and company-directed factors.
Shoe Carnival Eyeing Strong Back-To-School Selling
Shoe Carnival Inc. reported modest growth in the second quarter but has seen sales accelerate in August. On a conference call with analysts, Cliff Sifford, president and CEO, said back-to-school sales are “progressing nicely” with August sales up 3.5 percent through August 27.
Peloton Pedals On Toward IPO As Losses Mount
Peloton, the exercise bike maker and interactive fitness provider, on Tuesday filed an S-1 statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, officially announcing that it plans to raise $500 million in an initial public offering amid significant losses but impressive revenue growth. SGB digs into the IPO’s important facts and figures.
Famous Footwear Boosted By Nike’s Return To Growth
Famous Footwear’s comps grew 1.5 percent in the second quarter, rebounding from a 1 percent decline in the first quarter. Nike’s return to positive growth at the off-price shoe chain played a key role.
SSL Bootfitting Academy Gives Specialty Ski Shops Jump On Winter
SGB dropped in on last week’s Elevated Bootfitting Academy, hosted by specialty retail buying group Sports Specialists Ltd. (SSL). The event brought together specialty ski shops and insole brands to share innovations and techniques in boot fitting—a customer service add-on that can elevate the specialty channel and the sport of skiing.
Paddlesports Retailer Riding Wave Of Momentum
The paddlesports community is uniting this week in Oklahoma City for the third annual Paddlesports Retailer (PSR), which showcases the latest paddling products while also connecting brands and buyers. On the eve of PSR, Charles Conner and Darren Bush spoke with SGB about changes in the event and the industry.
Retailers’ Tariff Concerns Heighten
With the fourth tranche of tariffs on $300 billion worth of products soon arriving, trade talk has again returned as a popular topic on retailers’ second-quarter conference calls. Most were hopeful that they’d avoid having to raise prices to offset the tariff costs, at least for holiday selling.
Hibbett Sports’ Q2 Sales Held Back By BTS Delays, Product Launch Shifts
Hibbett Sports Inc.’s second-quarter sales came in below Wall Street’s targets due to shifts in the footwear launch calendar and a later back-to-school shopping season. Hibbett officials said same-store growth has picked up in August and healthier comp gains are seen for the second half.
Foot Locker Banks On Second-Half Sales Pick-Up
Shares of Foot Locker Inc. fell nearly 19 percent Friday after the leading sneaker seller reported second-quarter comps arrived at the low end of expectations, leading earnings to fall just short of Wall Street’s targets. The retailer maintained its full-year earnings guidance and expressed confidence that comp growth would accelerate in the back half of the year.
‘Growth Mode’ At Exxel Outdoors Drives HQ Relocation
Exxel Outdoors—whose portfolio includes Sierra Designs, Kelty, Ultimate Direction, Slumberjack, Wenzel, X2O and others—is moving its headquarters to Broomfield, CO, from nearby Gunbarrel in the first quarter of 2020. CEO Harry Kazazian spoke with SGB about how “growth mode” across all Exxel brands drove the decision to relocate.
Aisle Talk Week Of August 19
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Hestra, the 83-year-old Swedish glove maker, relocating its U.S. headquarters to a newly constructed 32,000-square-foot space in Arvada, CO, and adding three key hires as it continues to scale its U.S. business.
Athleta’s Growth Accelerates In Q2
Athleta saw an “acceleration” in growth in the second quarter and remains committed to opening 25 stores this year, Art Peck, president and CEO of Gap Inc., said on his company’s conference call with analysts.
