Aisle Talk Week of July 23
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including the U.S. House of Representatives approving the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, which allows the use of pre-tax savings accounts for physical activity-related expenses.
Deckers Brands Outlook Disappoints
Deckers Brands handily exceeded the company’s guidance in the first quarter with monster gains from Ugg and Hoka One One. But shares slid on Friday as much of the upside was attributed to earlier-than anticipated shipments and the company only slightly lifted EPS guidance for the year.
Under Armour Takes Bigger Restructuring Hit
Under Armour logged a steep second-quarter loss as the company ramped up the company’s restructuring efforts to further clean up the company’s inventories in the marketplace and reduce the company’s cost structure. The moves are designed to build a sounder foundation to support the company’s promised turnaround starting in 2019.
Americas Region, Chunkier Styles Drive Puma’s Q2 Growth
Puma SE said it scrambled to catch up to a fashion shift toward bulkier footwear to enable it to continue its robust top-line momentum. But due to higher marketing expenses to maintain that growth, Puma wasn’t able to lift its profit outlook for the year.
Mammut Enhances Digital Capabilities By Acquiring Mountain Hub
Swiss-based apparel brand Mammut added to the company’s capabilities with Wednesday’s announcement that the brand had acquired Mountain Hub. SGB spoke with Joe Prebich of Mammut and Brint Markle of Mountain Hub (pictured) for a behind-the-scenes look at the deal.
Wall Street Cheers Lululemon’s CEO Hire
Shares of Lululemon Athletica rose slightly on Wednesday as Wall Street analysts unanimously applauded the hiring of Calvin McDonald, the CEO of the Sephora cosmetics chain, as its next CEO.
What’s Behind Brooks Running’s Shop-In-Shop Initiative?
On June 16, Brooks Running announced the company was partnering with 30 run specialty shops in the U.S. and Canada to launch the company’s first shop-in-shop program. SGB Executive reached out to Mike Billish, VP of U.S. sales, to explore the new program.
SGB Exclusive: Exxel Outdoors’ Acquisition Of Hex Hits All The Right Notes
In an SGB exclusive interview, the founders of Exxel Outdoors and Hex (pictured) discuss Exxel’s recent acquisition of Hex, completed in June but not announced until Tuesday at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver.
Oakley Resumes Growth In Luxottica’s Q2
Oakley saw a return to growth in the company’s core sports channel in North America in Luxottica’s second quarter ended June 30, although Sunglass Hut was the strongest performer for the Italian-based eyewear giant.
Outdoor Industry Leaders Issue Call-To-Action On Participation
Likening outdoor participation to a “leaky bucket,” the Outdoor Foundation Board Chair Sally McCoy, said at the OIA Industry Breakfast that the industry has been able to “get some people in but we’re losing more out the bottom.” Moreover, she said Outdoor Foundation research confirms “we’re late in the game” as far as reversing trends.
Experience Counts … Demo Day Kicks Off Outdoor Retailer Summer Market
Outdoor brands took to Denver’s Confluence and Commons parks Sunday afternoon to showcase some of their newest offerings for 2019 and give retailers a chance to paddle SUPs, pedal e-bikes and check out dozens of products from water bottles to energy bars to a stand-to-pee accessory for women.
Vans, The North Face Fuel VF Corp.’s Sizzling First Quarter
Continued strength in VF Corp.’s biggest brands—Vans, The North Face and, to a lesser extent, Timberland—along with balanced geographic and channel sales, helped the company deliver a standout first quarter with earnings well above Wall Street’s expectations.
Aisle Talk Week of July 16
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Boa Technology Inc. opening the company’s new environmentally friendly headquarters in Denver, CO.
Skechers Shares Tumble On Q2 Miss And Poor Outlook
Skechers USA’s shares fell $6.95, or 20.9 percent, to $26.30 on Friday after the company reported second-quarter earnings that fell well short of guidance and provided a soft outlook for the third quarter. Investors were reportedly frustrated that Skechers’ focus on funding long-term expansion efforts is coming at the expense near-term earnings improvement.
SGB Executive Q&A: Royal Robbins CEO Michael Millenacker
A little more than a year after Royal Robbins died, the company he founded in 1968 is under new ownership, yet retains the spirit of its namesake. Current President and CEO Michael Millenacker (pictured) spoke with SGB about where the company is heading under Fenix Outdoor and why the brand’s 50-year-old vision remains intact.
