Aisle Talk Week Of July 2
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Pentland Group’s solid year driven by a record performance from JD Sports Fashion PLC.
Mizuno, Fleet Feet Again Team Up For Project Zero
For the second straight year, Mizuno USA Inc. and run specialty franchise Fleet Feet have teamed up on a running shoe collaboration whose goal is to raise funds for breast cancer research. Project Zero enters the company’s second year with hopes of beating last year’s contribution total.
Softness In Firearms Sales Reflects Typical ‘Ebb And Flow’
Firearms sales are down halfway through the year, presenting another challenge for an industry that has dealt with bad publicity in the form of mass shootings, public protests and well-known retailers altering or stopping their gun sales.
Active-Lifestyle Stocks Bounce Back In First Half
With the nine-year bull market facing some choppiness this year due to a number of macro challenges, many stocks in the athletic-lifestyle space stood out for their outsized performances. Big gainers included Canada Goose, Under Armour, Lululemon, Deckers Outdoor and Crox.
June M&A Roundup: Megaresorts Expand Their Empires
Summer is an odd time to discuss what’s happening at North American ski areas—especially with record high temps now sweeping the U.S.—but the escalating “arms race” between megaresort operators Vail Resorts Inc. and Alterra Mountain Co. was among the hottest M&A developments in June.
Retail Report Roundup – July 1
Studies arrived last week showing Nike ranked highest among active lifestyle brands, but lost ground on Brand Finance’s annual ranking of the most valuable American brands. Studies also rated the digital expertise of department stores, the relevance of social activism for brands with teens, robust urban population growth and apparel’s expansion online.
Nike’s Shares Pop On U.S. Recovery
Shares of Nike Inc. shot up $8.00, or 11.2 percent, to $79.70 to surpass an all-time high as the sports leader saw growth for the first time in four quarters in the U.S. The gains were boosted by the success of several break-through product launches and the payback of investments in direct-to-consumer and digital engagement.
Nike CEO Mark Parker On Company’s Digital Progress
Nike Inc.’s impressive fourth quarter saw balanced growth across regions and divisions, but the company’s digital gains were especially notable. A jump in digital sales was the result of an increased emphasis on platforms and not just products, according to CEO Mark Parker.
Aisle Talk Week Of June 25
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Adidas announcing a potential data security incident.
Does The Online Tax Ruling Even The Playing Field?
Many brick-and-mortar retailers hailed the Supreme Court’s ruling late last week that finally gave states the authority to require online retailers to collect sales tax. But interviews with a number of independent specialty retailers show many in the industry still face uphill battles competing with online selling.
SGB Executive Q&A: 361 Degrees USA President Jim Monahan
Jim Monahan, president of running footwear company 361 Degrees USA, spoke with SGB at last week’s Fleet Feet National Franchise Conference in Minneapolis, MN, about what’s happening with the company as 361 Degrees moves from a startup to a player that’s found a comfortable pace and is working to close the gap on competitors.
Four Questions: Smartwool’s Jennifer McLaren
On June 26, VF Corp. announced that Jennifer McLaren would succeed Travis Campbell as president of Smartwool. Here, she talks about Smartwool’s strengths, near-term priorities in her new role, and becoming the first female to be promoted to president in the VF Outdoor and Action Sports Coalition.
Running Rebrand: Fleet Feet Refreshes Logo, Drops ‘Sports’ From Name
Fleet Feet has unveiled a new logo that resembles a torch and also dropped the word “Sports” from its name, all part of a brand refresh for the 42-year-old retailer.
On Par: Golf Equipment, Apparel Sales Holding Steady
In this second of a two-part series on the state of the golf industry, SGB looks at the state of golf equipment and apparel sales, each one serving as trailing indicators of an increasingly healthy industry.
Goldman Sachs Initiates Apparel Coverage With Attractive View
In initiating coverage on the Apparel & Accessories sector, Goldman Sachs said many companies in the space are expected to benefit from ongoing lifestyle shifts towards active and casualwear, the ability to react to faster fashion cycles and digital’s ability to drive direct communications with consumers and commerce. Among active lifestyle stocks, VF was initiated at a “Buy” while “Neutral” ratings were given to Nike, Under Armour, Lululemon and Canada Goose.
