Behind The Deal: Volcom Gets Fresh Start With ABG
Volcom CEO Todd Hymel takes SGB behind the deal of the company’s sale to Authentic Brands Group, including why the name of Volcom’s new operating entity, Liberated Brands, was not about breaking free from its former parent but rather an homage to the brand’s surf, skate and snow roots. Here’s what he said about that and more.
IMF Study Finds Tariffs Can’t Fix Trade Problems
New research from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finds that if the U.S. and China raise tariffs to 25 percent on all goods traded between the two countries, the U.S. economy would lose between 0.3 and 0.6 percent in growth, the Chinese economy would lose between 0.5 and 1.5 percent, and global growth would slow by 0.1 and 0.2 percent.
Sports Participation Roundup
Extensive research from Women In Adventure touting the strong connection between women in the outdoors and their mental well-being highlighted the latest round of sports participation surveys and studies. Research also arrived on running-race sign-ups, tennis participation, gym memberships, tackle football and more.
PHIT America Founder Rails Against Esports Sponsorships
In an open letter to the sporting goods industry, PHIT America Founder Jim Baugh decried how top sports brands, the International Olympic Committee and many collegiate athletic directors are embracing the esports phenonom. He wrote, “Esports are tearing down the fabric of the sports industry and they represent short-term financial gains for companies that cater to these gamers. It’s like a money grab.”
March M&A Roundup: JD Sports Adds To U.K. Portfolio
Though March was a slow month for M&A in the active lifestyle space, a handful of deals stood out, including JD Sports strategically shoring up its U.K. portfolio with the purchase of a rival retailer, BSN Sports continuing its acquisitive ways and CorePower Yoga being sold from one private equity firm to another.
Foot Locker Finding New Paths To Growth
At its Investor Day, Foot Locker Inc. didn’t alter its long-term growth goals but officials detailed how new store concepts, fresh engagement approaches and other digitally-savvy concepts would significantly reshape the retailer in the years ahead.
Firearms Market Share Opportunities Abound For Sportsman’s Warehouse
An earnings miss and the resignation of its CFO might have taken a toll on Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc.’s shares after Thursday morning’s release of fourth-quarter results, but the company is uniquely positioned for growth thanks to one category in particular—firearms.
Aisle Talk Week Of March 25
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including the National Football League naming New Era Cap as the official outfitter of the NFL Scouting Combine. Under Armour had held exclusive rights as the NFL Scouting Combine’s official apparel outfitter since 2009.
Lululemon Crushes It In Q4
Firing on all cylinders, Lululemon Athletica reported a blow-out fourth quarter marked by a 17 percent comp gain while predicting comps would surge in the low-double digits for the current year. Growth is expected to be driven by stepped-up store openings and category expansions as well as by further building on the recent momentum seen in digital, international and men’s.
Iconix Closes Book On ‘Challenging, Transitional Year’
After enduring the loss of some licensing agreements, the departure of some executives and the bankruptcy of a key customer, Iconix Brand Group, parent of Starter and Umbro, is happy to put last year behind it, according to CEO Bob Galvin, who called 2018 “challenging and transitional.”
Shoe Carnival Sees Data-Mining Efforts Start To Pay Off In Q4
Shares of Shoe Carnival leapt 22.4 percent Wednesday after the footwear retailer reported fourth-quarter results that handily topped Wall Street’s expectations. While boot sales drove the gains, new data-aggregating capabilities are helping enhance merchandising, marketing and real estate decisions.
Tariffs Less Worrisome For Some, Not Others
While no trade deal has been reached between the U.S. and China, the news around tariffs has been more favorable than unfavorable since the start of the year. But some industry players still have been raising prices, purchasing early to avoid hits and taking other steps to mitigate their potential impact.
Winnebago CEO Confident Of Market Resiliency As Headwinds Persist
Winnebago Industries Inc. CEO Mike Happe admits the recreational vehicle industry is facing some challenging wholesale headwinds, but he also believes the marketplace—and especially his company—is resilient enough to weather them.
Amazon Reports Roundup
A number of retail studies arrived over the last few weeks on retail’s disruptor, Amazon, including the e-commerce giant’s break-through in apparel, expanding dominance in product search, private-label shortfalls, trust credibility, digital advertising pushes and more.
Nike Sees No Slowdown In Momentum
Shares of Nike Inc. closed down nearly 7 percent on Friday after the company reported North America sales in the third quarter and fourth-quarter guidance that both missed Wall Street’s targets. But sales in the third quarter still more than doubled the growth rates of its closest rivals, Adidas and Under Armour, as Nike officials insisted its Consumer Direct Offense initiative is only getting started.
