SGB Executive

Golf Club Sales Drive Acushnet’s Q1 Performance

Strong demand for Titleist golf clubs–most notably the 718 irons, Vokey SM7 wedges and Cameron Select putters–helped drive parent company Acushnet Holdings Corp.’s strong first quarter.

Adidas AG’s North American Momentum Continues

Adidas AG said a slowdown in Western Europe and continued weakening the company’s key footwear franchises in the first quarter was more than matched by strong sales momentum overall in North America and Greater China, an accelerating apparel business and strong full-price selling.

Versa Accelerates Fitbit’s Revenue Shift Toward Smartwatches

Smartwatches composed about 30 percent of Fitbit Inc.’s revenue in the first quarter, but based on executive commentary during yesterday’s earnings call, look for the products to grab even an larger share of the company’s top line in future earnings reports.

Fitness And Outdoor Drive Garmin’s Q1 Growth

Powered by robust gains in its Outdoor, Fitness and Aviation segments, Garmin Inc. reported sales climbed 10.8 percent in the first quarter.
The Fēnix drove Outdoor and the new Forerunner launch helped lift Fitness.

Ellett Brothers To Buy AcuSport In Asset Sale

The assets of AcuSport, a Bellefontaine, OH-based distributor of shooting and hunting products that filed Tuesday for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, will be acquired by Ellett Brothers LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Sporting Cos., the parties have announced.

April M&A Roundup: What’s In Store For Volcom?

April was relatively quiet with fewer notable deals in the sporting goods, outdoor and lifestyle brand verticals, but some large companies such as Columbia and Nike acquired growth while some brands such as Volcom were put on the market.

Big 5 Wacked By Weather Woes In Q1

Big 5 Sporting Goods reported that a lack of cold weather crushed its winter business early in the first quarter while the arrival of chilly weather restrained its spring business later in the quarter.

Vista Outdoor To Exit Firearms, Sports Protection And Paddle Boards

On a conference call with analysts, Christopher Metz, CEO of Vista Outdoor, explained the strategy behind the company’s decision to focus on brands within four distinct categories, ammunition, hunting/recreational shooting accessories, hydration bottles and packs and outdoor cooking products, while divesting Bell, Giro, Blackburn, Jimmy Styks and Savage and Stevens firearms.

Champion Shines Again For HanesBrands In Q1

HanesBrands Inc. said Champion’s sales outside of the mass channel in the U.S. catapulted over 50 percent in the first quarter, driven by strong consumer demand, space gains in the specialty channels and growth in the online channel.

SGB Executive: Q&A with Matt O’Toole, President, Reebok

SGB Executive talked to Matt O’Toole, Reebok’s president, about the fitness-first brand’s headquarter’s move to the heart of Boston, the Muscle Up turnaround strategy, and untapped growth opportunities.

Thule Overcomes Softness In U.S. Market With Upbeat Q1

Thule Group AB’s strength in Europe and the rest of the world helped overcame softness in the Americas, as the company saw first-quarter revenue improve 5.6 percent (5.5 percent with currency adjustment) to SEK 1.6 billion and net income jump 11.9 percent to SEK 220 million.

Callaway’s Shares Climb On Earnings Beat

Shares of Callaway Golf Co. were trading up about 8 percent in early-afternoon trading Friday after the company reported first-quarter profit and sales well above Wall Street expectations.