
DSW Delivers Blowout Q2
Boosted by robust seasonal, athleisure and kids sales, DSW Inc. reported second-quarter results that came in well-above expectations and hiked its guidance for the year. The launch of VIP rewards along with digital marketing investments in particular drove traffic to both DSW’s warehouses and website.

Superfeet: Taking Shape To New Realms
Superfeet has grown more than 40 percent in the last five years, moved into footwear and 3D-printing, become 100-percent employee owned and now has a new mission statement. John Rauvola, Superfeet’s CEO, discusses the new mission, emerging opportunities in new and old areas, and the company’s unique culture.

Moosejaw Brings Premium Outdoor To Walmart.com
In an interview with SGB Executive, Eoin Comerford, general manager of Outdoor, Walmart U.S. e-commerce and CEO of Moosejaw, said Wal-Mart’s “whole strategy” in acquiring several specialty e-tailers was to bring a “wider assortment” to the Walmart.com platform. A curated website distinct from the Moosejaw.com website was eventually seen as the best path for both businesses.

Canaccord Genuity Downgrades Hibbett On Q2 Miss
Canaccord Genuity on Monday downgraded shares of Hibbett Sports following the retailer’s wide miss of second-quarter estimates due to sluggish sales and rising operating costs.

Hibbett Sports Shares Tumble 30 Percent After Q2 Miss
Shares of Hibbett Sports Inc. plummeted $8.88, or 30.2 percent, to $20.53 Friday after the company earlier in the day announced a second-quarter loss—Wall Street had expected a profit—and lowered guidance for the rest of 2018.

Foot Locker Not Yet Feeling Nike’s Resurgence
Shares of Foot Locker Inc. fell $4.88, or 9.2 percent, to $48.32 Friday after the sneaker leader reported second-quarter comps that came in slightly below Wall Street’s expectations. Foot Locker officials also continue to expect meager gains in the back-half of the year despite the hype around Nike’s return to growth in North America.

Aisle Talk Week of August 20
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including 5.11 opening a new store in Reno, NV, as part of a nationwide brick-and-mortar retail expansion.

Athleta’s Momentum Continues In Q2
While the athleisure chain saw some softness in swim, Athleta again churned out strong results in the second quarter for Gap Inc. Art Peck, Gap Inc.’s president and CEO, on a conference call with analysts, said Athleta “delivered another market share gaining quarter and is progressing well against our billion dollar sales objective.”

Firearms Sales Help Sportsman’s Warehouse Gain Share In Q2
Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. gained additional market share in the second quarter thanks to continued success in firearms sales as the shifting landscape has sent other retailer exiting that business.

Nike And Vans Gain In Stifel’s BTS Survey
According to Stifel’s annual back-to-school athletic footwear survey, retail checks are underscoring Nike’s resurgence in the North American footwear market and Vans continued brand heat. Adidas lost some momentum off its recent hot streak.

Under Armour’s Collaboration with “The Rock” Tops List Of Best-Matched Celebrity Endorsements
Wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson’s endorsement deal with Under Armour earned top ranking among best-matched celebrity-brand partnerships in the fashion and retail sectors, according to a study from Spotted. Also ranking high was Crocs’ partnership with Drew Barrymore, Under Armour and Steph Curry, Reebok and Gal Gadot, Adidas and Lionel Messi, Asics and Novak Djokovic and Marmot and Nick Offerman.

The Storyteller: Joe Prebich Outlines Vision For Mammut North America
Joe Prebich, who was appointed CEO and managing director of Mammut North America in April, spoke with SGB at length about the company’s ambitious plans to grow the 156-year-old, Switzerland-based apparel and gear brand’s presence on this side of the Atlantic.

Urban Outfitters Boosted By Macro Fashion Shift
Riding a strong fashion cycle, Urban Outfitters Inc. reported second-quarter profits rose 85.9 percent to $92.8 million, or 84 cents a share exceeding Wall Street’s consensus estimate of 77 cents. Company officials said a changing fashion silhouette is encouraging consumers to replace their wardrobe closets.

TJX Cos. Finding Off-Price Formula Appealing To Youth
Finding younger consumers being drawn to the company’s deal-driven, treasure hunt experience, TJX Cos. raised the company’s full-year forecast after reporting second-quarter results that handily topped Wall Street’s targets.

Nike, Adidas & Under Armour All Deliver For Kohl’s In Q2
Kohl’s Corp.’s trusty trio of active brands—Nike, Adidas and Under Armour—delivered solid sales in the second quarter, helping the department store top analysts’ earnings and revenue estimates as the company also raised guidance for fiscal 2018.