Retail Report Roundup – June 25
Studies arrived last week on the benefits to local retailers from community engagement, quality beating price as a purchase driver, apparel’s continuing appeal in malls, the benefits of perks over raises for workers, the stress of online shopping, and Fourth of July sales.
SGB Executive Q&A: Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer
Fleet Feet Inc. CEO Joey Pointer sat down with SGB at the company’s National Franchise Conference in Minneapolis this week to discuss the company’s past, present and future, as well as the state of the running retail industry.
Retailers Cheer Supreme Court Ruling On Online Taxes
Specialty retailers in the active space – decimated over the years by consumers showrooming stores and then fetching lower prices online – stand to significantly benefit from the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that requires online retailers to collect sales taxes. Amy Roberts, executive director of Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), said, “The Supreme Court’s ruling is a huge win for the future of specialty outdoor retailers and will help ensure that all retailers compete on a level playing field.”
Aisle Talk Week Of June 18
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Puma signing endorsement deals with the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick Deandre Ayton and Hall of Fame legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier.
Why Did Winnebago Acquire Chris-Craft?
On the company’s first-quarter quarter conference call, Winnebago Industries’ CEO Michael Happe said the reason it acquired the Chris-Craft, the recreational boat builder, was not only for diversity but to tap burgeoning growth opportunities in the marine segment.
Fleet Feet Event Showcases ‘Resurgence’ Of Run Specialty
Dozens of brands in the running footwear, apparel and accessory categories descended on Fleet Feet’s National Franchise conference this week, and while the primary goal was exhibiting their latest product offerings, they also delivered a simple yet powerful message for the industry about the Run Speciality channel.
American Outdoor Brands Sees Firearms Weakness Continuing
American Outdoor Brands, the parent of Smith & Wesson, closed a challenging year by reporting a sales drop of 24.9 percent in its fourth quarter ended April 30 while projecting flat earnings on a slight decline in sales for its current fiscal year.
Varsity Brands Finds Bigger Growth Partner In Bain Capital
“Bain, in our view, is one of the most prestigious and well-known investment firms in the world,” Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands, told SGB. “Their desire to invest alongside management, and build upon the incredible work that Charlesbank started, and in many cases completed, with management, is continued affirmation and faith in our vision.”
CrossFit Battles Reebok In Court
Taking the company’s high-intensity workout approach to court, CrossFit claims in the company’s lawsuit against Reebok that the company is owed “at least $4.8 billion,” plus potentially more for underpaying marketing obligations and diverting sales to reebok.com to also reduce royalty payouts.
Bearpaw Sees Complementary-Benefits In Flip Flop Shops Buy
In an interview with SGB, Bearpaw’s CEO Tom Romeo said while the acquisition of Flip Flop Shops will bring some “diversity” to Bearpaw’s business and help offset winter seasonality challenges, adding Bearpaw product to Flip Flop Shop locations will likewise reduce summer seasonality issues at the franchisee.
The Long And Winding Road To Perry Ellis Going Private
For the last few months, Perry Ellis International’s largest shareholder, George Feldenkreis, and the company he founded could sum up their relationship with a familiar social media saying: “It’s complicated.” But the complication appears to have been cleared up, at least for now.
Iconix’s CEO Exits Amid Proxy Battle
Iconix Brands Group said John Haugh has resigned as CEO, president and a board member. The exit comes 17 days after Sports Direct said the company planned to nominate four members to Iconix’ board after vexing about the loss of major direct-to-consumer license agreements for Starter, Danskin, Ocean Pacific and Mossimo.
Retail Report Roundup – June 18
Studies arrived last week on the growth of customization in footwear and apparel, omnichannel order tracking, online-ad spam, mobile pay, the important of brand’s values and retailers paying off hackers.
Brand Vision: Collabs Boost Backcountry’s New Private Label
Online outdoor retailer Backcountry isn’t the only beneficiary of product collaborations the company has undertaken with Black Diamond, DPS, Flylow and Smartwool on a new touring collection due out in the fall. The brands themselves and especially customers stand to gain from these new partnerships.
Canada Goose Ramps Up Growth Targets Following Blowout Year
Crushing the company’s first year public, Canada Goose Inc. lifted the company’s growth targets for the next three years ahead while spelling out the company’s big expansion opportunities in China and DTC.
