Aisle Talk Week of October 15
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Mammut North America—a division of Swiss-based Mammut Sports Group AG—parting ways with the company’s managing director, Joe Prebich (pictured), for undisclosed reasons.
Skechers Seeing Boost From Chunky Shoe Trend
Shares of Skechers USA rose $3.60, or 13.8 percent, to $29.72 Friday after the company reported earnings topped guidance in the third quarter, thanks to tigher cost controls. A healthy bounce-back was also predicted for the fourth quarter, led by a return to growth in the company’s domestic-wholesale segment with the help of robust demand for the brand’s D’Lites chunky style.
5.11 CEO Francisco Morales Talks Retail Expansion, Tactical Sector Growth
Francisco Morales, newly appointed CEO of 5.11—the tactical gear brand he co-founded in 2003—spoke with SGB about what’s driving the company’s brick-and-mortar growth, the explosion of the tactical sector and the importance of having a supportive parent company like CODI.
Oppenheimer Upgrades Nike On “Technological Evolution” Promise
Oppenheimer lifted the rating on Nike Inc. to “Outperform” due to the company’s investments in building a “digitally-enhanced” business model that are expected to “enhance most facets of its business.”
Winnebago Shares Climb After Earnings, Revenue Beat
Shares of Winnebago Industries grew $1.45, or 4.6 percent, at market close Wednesday following a fourth-quarter earnings report that beat Wall Street expectations on both earnings per share and revenue. However, softness in the RV market and slowing profits brought shares down to earth after an early morning surge of 17 percent.
Study: China Tariffs To Accelerate Nearshoring Of Apparel
In a new report, McKinsey & Co. predicts that nearshoring–or sourcing in the U.S. or countries close to the U.S.–will accelerate in the apparel industry in the years ahead. Many trends (e.g., speedy fashion shifts requiring quick turnarounds, advances in automation, sustainability concerns) are arriving to make nearshoring more attractive as others (e.g., rising wages in Asia, China tariffs) are making sourcing from Asia less so.
SGB Executive Q&A: Cascade Designs COO Dave McDonald
Dave McDonald, who was recently appointed COO of Cascade Designs—the Seattle, WA-based company that owns and operates a portfolio of popular outdoor brands—spoke with SGB about his new role and how he plans to help the longtime company improve its operational excellence.
Cowen Calls Out Active Lifestyle Upstarts
In a note, analysts at Cowen Group highlighted six up-and-coming or rebounding brands – Fila, Puma, Rhone, Allbirds, Fanatics and StockX – that are causing some disruption in the active lifestyle space with the potential to do more.
Fitness Takes A Hit With Sears Bankruptcy
In a blow to a number of fitness equipment suppliers, Sears, as expected, on Monday filed for bankruptcy protection. One fitness company, Icon Health And Fitness Inc., landed on Sears’ list of the top-20 unsecured creditors, owed $12.1 million.
Implus Amplifies One-Stop-Shop Empire With SKLZ
In an interview with SGB Executive, Seth Richards, CEO of Implus, and Todd Vore, president, discuss the company’s game-changing acquisition of SKLZ, what it means to its expanding fitness platform and the evolution of Implus’ dynamic one-stop-shop solution for accessories that now covers 20 brands.
Report: Sears May Liquidate Before Holiday Selling
A bankruptcy filing by Sears Holdings, the parent of Sears and Kmart, is expected as soon as Monday when a major debt payment comes due. But sources told the Wall Street Journal that some of the company’s major lenders are pushing for an outright liquidation to avoid any bankruptcy restructuring phase. A liquidation would waylay the fitness equipment category and add promotional pressures to holiday selling.
Aisle Talk Week Of October 8
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Asics announcing the opening of an urban, large-scale, low oxygen training center in Tokyo in September 2019.
Kevin Plank Discusses Under Armour’s Vision Quest
Speaking last week at the Advertising Week conference in New York City, Under Armour’s Kevin Plank spoke about the importance of brand values in driving sales and earning advocacy. The brand’s recent sales slump, according to the CEO, is partly because management neglected the company’s core purpose after years of growth.
Nike’s Kaepernick Campaign Garners Mixed Reaction In Cowen Survey
Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick received mixed reaction based on factors such as how much consumers earn annually and how much they spend with the brand, according to a survey published Wednesday by the investment firm Cowen.
DSW Reinvents Business Model With Camuto Group Acquisition
On a conference call with analysts, DSW Inc. officials said the Camuto Group deal extends the company’s growth opportunities outside the moderate channel and footwear category, but will particularly support its effort to sell exclusive brands inside DSW locations, at third-party stores and direct to consumers. Said DSW’s CEO Roger Rawlins, “As the retail landscape evolves strong brands with the ability to build the direct-to-consumer model have captured increasing market share.”
