EXEC: Stanley Container Maker PMI Sued Over Brand Name
Stanley Black & Decker is claiming confusion between its Stanley brand name and the Stanley drinkware brand produced by Pacific Market International, LLC, and is taking PMI to Court “to protect its Stanley tools brand.”
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Frasers Abandons Nordic SG Retailer XXL Takeover Effort
Frasers cited the condition requiring acceptance of the Intended Offer by a sufficient number of shareholders to ensure that it would hold more than 50 percent of XXL shares and votes on a fully diluted and converted basis would not be satisfied.
EXEC: Sturm, Ruger Gets Q4 Lift from New Products as NICS Checks Weaken
New products represented $159.3 million, or 32 percent of firearms sales in 2024, an increase from $119.0 million, or 23 percent, in 2023. The launch of the RXM pistol collab with Magpul reportedly had a significant impact in December.
EXEC: Garmin Ltd. Shares Jump on Strong Q4 and Full-Year Report
The company posted double-digit growth in three of its five segments in Q4, with the Fitness segment showing 31 percent growth, the Auto OEM segment with 30 percent growth and the Outdoor segment with 29 percent growth year-over-year.
EXEC: Birkenstock Beats Fiscal Q1 Estimates on Surging Closed-Toe Business
Close-toe silhouettes reportedly grew at more than double the pace of the Group average and increased the share of business by 600 basis points. Closed-toe, driven by the clog category, accounted for nearly two-thirds of the America region’s revenue in the quarter.
EXEC: Merrell Looks at Life Beyond the Trail; Eyes the Mall for Lifestyle Growth
Merrell is expected to grow mid-single-digits in 2025, building on second-half 2024 gains. The company expects key products, including the SpeedARC Collection, Moab Speed 2 and Agility Peak 5 to continue driving the category.
EXEC: Saucony Tagged For Outsized Growth in 2025 After Strong 2024 Finish
The Saucony business declined 5.2 percent in constant-currency terms to $99.6 million in the fourth quarter but grew 7 percent year-over-year when accounting for the change in its China business model to a licensing and royalty deal.
EXEC: Authentic Appoints New Reebok Licensing Partners for U.S., UK and Europe
In the U.S., Galaxy Universal takes over Reebok’s footwear operation, retail stores and e-commerce, and will lead the brand’s global product creation, design and sourcing. A new JV, GB Brands Europe Ltd., will oversee the brand’s operations across Europe and the UK.
EXEC: Jackson Kayak Adds to Paddle Stable with Eddyline Kayaks Deal
The company said “the deal unites two iconic brands with one mission: to inspire more people to experience the joy of kayaking.” Jackson Kayak also owns Werner Paddles and Kialoa.
EXEC: Wolverine Worldwide Shares Fall 17 Percent as 2025 Forecast Disappoints
Fourth quarter revenue fell 5.8 percent year-over-year but rose 3.3 percent to $494.7 million when tallying the company’s ongoing business. The company posted big improvements in gross margin and operating margins in Q4, leading to a positive earnings result.
EXEC: VF Corp. Spin-Off Acquires Helly Hansen
The VF spin-off parent of the Wrangler and Lee brands has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of Helly Hansen from Canadian Tire Corporation for ~ $898 million.
EXEC: Adidas Basketball Chief Eric Wise is Leaving the Company
Wise joined Adidas in 2016 as director of merchandising for Foot, Inc. He moved to LA in 2021 to head up a new office for Adidas focused on the company’s basketball business.
EXEC: Nike Inc. Launching Co-Branded NikeSkims Effort with Kim Kardashian
The co-branded effort to find a pathway to more women consumers runs counter to the company’s efforts to connect with core female athletes that were the clear focus in its Super Bowl LVIII advertising and recent comments from the company’s new CEO, Elliot Hall.
EXEC: European Outdoor Group and Messe München Cancel OutDoor 2025
European Outdoor Group (EOG), along with trade show organizer Messe München, have jointly decided not to hold the OutDoor 2025 as scheduled in May.
EXEC: Asics Sees 2024 Lifestyle Footwear Sales Surge 50+ Percent
The company’s SportStyle and Onitsuka Tiger categories each posted growth in excess of 50 percent year-over-year to nearly ¥100 billion each, while operating profits more than doubled for each category versus 2023. SportStyle sales grew 120 percent in the North America region.
