Report: Influencer Marketing In Sports Slowly Gaining Traction
Sports entertainment companies aren’t adopting influencer marketing programs as quickly as other industries, yet most believe an influencer program is “a necessity for brand success in today’s digital world,” according to The State of Influencer Marketing in Sports Entertainment, a white paper published by Cascade Influencers.
REI Co-Op Leveraging Record Sales Year In Pledge To ‘Do More’
For all the tumult REI Co-op faced earlier in 2019 due to the sudden resignation of CEO Jerry Stritzke, the company is clearly on solid ground after reporting that 2018 was its strongest sales year ever. Bolstered by record revenue and a firm understanding of changing customer demands, REI has big plans in 2019 as it recommits to the outdoors, reinforces its omnichannel strategy, and ramps up its rental and used gear programs.
Bullish Report On Outdoor Apparel Sector
A new study from Stifel finds outdoor apparel consumers generally rate apparel and footwear brands in the outdoor category with high regard and place particular importance on versatility, comfort and style. The top four brands identified as primary outdoor apparel brands in an accompanying survey were Nike, Columbia, The North Face and Under Armour.
Ten Active-Lifestyle Takeaways From Piper Jaffray’s Teen Survey
Vans and Lululemon are crushing it with teens. Nike and Adidas are plateauing while Under Armour and Supreme appear to be losing ground. But athletic apparel and footwear categories overall continue to grow in appeal with teens, according to Piper Jaffray’s 37th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens survey.
How Will Another C-Level Departure Impact Hibbett?
Hibbett Sports Inc.’s board of directors will need to form yet another search committee after the company announced Friday morning that Scott Bowman is resigning as CFO—the retailer’s second C-level departure in the last two weeks. On March 22, CEO Jeff Rosenthal announced he is retiring this year, so what impact, if any, will these exits have on the retailer?
Duluth Trading Warns Of Sales Slowdown
Shares of Duluth Trading fell $5.94, or 25.2 percent, to $17.60 Friday after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that came in well short of Wall Street’s targets because of delivery challenges and a poor response to newer offerings. Guidance for the current year was also significantly cut with a sales recovery not expected until the second half.
Aisle Talk Week Of April 1
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including NB Development Group breaking ground Tuesday on The Track at New Balance at Boston Landing, a multi-sport athletic complex that will offer sports facilities and a New Balance Athletics Sports Research Lab.
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.
