Dick’s Hopes Healthier Margin Outlook Offsets Top-Line Challenges
Dick’s Sporting Goods said on its fourth-quarter conference call that it’s facing top-line challenges in the hunt and fitness tracker categories as well as the Under Armour brand overall. But stronger product innovation from select key partners and the continued expansion of its private brands are expected to result in less margin pressure in 2018 than previously expected.
Clarus Sees Double-Digit Growth For Black Diamond Equipment
Sales for the Black Diamond Brand grew 11 percent, led by a 24 percent gain in the Ski category and 21 percent in the Climb Black category. Unseasonally dry weather in the Western U.S. restrained growth in apparel.
Tilly’s Q4 Derailed By E-Com Snafu
Tilly’s Inc. reported earnings that came in at the low end of projections and same-store sales that missed guidance as online sales were disrupted by a system upgrade. Management remained bullish on continued improvement in 2018.
Study: Inactivity Rates Among Low-Income Households Near Historic Levels
The 2018 Physical Activity Council Participation Report finds a moderate rise in participation for many sports and activities, including fitness sports, outdoor sports and winter sports. On the downside, the study identified a continuing trend toward the affluent getting more active while the less affluent are becoming more inactive.
Ibex Finds A Buyer
Ibex, which ceased operations last November, has been sold to Flour Fund, a New York-based group led by David Hazan, a marketing expert.
Bass Pro Provides Update On Cabela’s Future In Sidney, NE
In a note to the media on Thursday, Bass Pro said 680 of Cabela’s corporate employees had applied for a voluntary buyout plan and that 290 would be leaving the company this week. A full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal also went out to support Bass Pro’s goal of donating any unused space in Cabela’s offices to bring jobs to the city of Sidney, NE. Full details here.
Dorel Sports Returns To Growth In Q4
”Despite a continued weak global bicycle market, Dorel Sports grew its top-line in Q4 improving considerably from the third quarter driven by strong performance in Cycling Sport Group (CSG)’s international business, and at Caloi,” said Martin Schwartz, CEO of Dorel Industries.
Aisle Talk, Week of March 5
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
CODI Sees 2017 Gains for 5.11, Crosman; Liberty Safe Declines
Compass Diversified Holdings (CODI) reported revenues at 5.11 Tactical grew 5 percent and Crosman added 1.1 percent in 2017 while sales at Liberty Safe were down 11.4 percent.
Under Armour’s Sports Sponsorship Commitments Retreat In 2017
According to Under Armour’s just-filed 10K report, future sports marketing commitments fell 13.6 percent at the close of the year, reflecting the company’s overall efforts to reduce its cost structure.
Acushnet Q4 Aided By U.S. Golf Industry Stabilization
Said David Maher, Acushnet’s president and CEO, “We like our position in the U.S. market heading into 2018 and are optimistic that the U.S. retail channel is in the best shape it has been in for some time.”
Bogs Q4 Hurt By Warm December And Retailer Caution
Impacted by a warm December and general cautiousness by retailers around replenishing out-of-stocks, Bogs sales fell 10 percent in the fourth quarter and 9 percent for the year.
The Walking Company Returns To Bankruptcy Court
Blaming the challenges selling third-party wholesale brands with the rise of online selling as well as losing rights to sell Ugg, The Walking Company (TWC) filed for bankruptcy the second time in less than a decade.
Nautilus Seeing Healthy Response To Bowflex Treadmills
Nautilus Inc. said sales in its Retail segment were down in the fourth quarter due to timing issues but retail sell-throughs were strong for the Bowflex MaxTrainer as well as the recently-introduced Bowflex cardio line of treadmills and elliptical. Companywide, earnings were slightly down but in line with targets.
Shares Of Foot Locker Slump On Dismal Outlook
Shares of Foot Locker Inc. were down $5.84, or 12.7 percent, to $40.04 on Friday after the sneaker retailer reported weak fourth-quarter results and indicated the sales won’t likely rebound until the second half of 2018.
