Holiday Selling Starts Off With A Bang
According to reports from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Adobe and ComScore, sales surged ahead from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, providing a heap of optimism for the rest of the holiday selling season. Not surprisingly, online purchases again strongly led the gains and smartphones expanded as a key driver of transactions.
Famous Footwear’s Momentum In Lifestyle Athletic Continues
Rick Ausick, president of Famous, said, “There’s been a few things that look promising, but nothing that I would say are taking over from that athleisure sports-style trend that we’ve been seeing for the last 12, 18 months.”
Aisle Talk, Week Of November 20
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Maurice Sporting Goods’ Trip To Bankruptcy Court
In court papers, Maurice Sporting Goods blamed challenges consolidating its U.S. distribution centers, debt taken on from recent acquisitions and the spate of bankruptcies in the sporting goods industry as the reasons for its bankruptcy filing.
DSW Absorbs Massive Writedown For Ebuys
DSW Inc. took a significant impairment charge for Ebuys, an off-price online retailer acquired early last year, while also reducing its outlook for the year due to shortfalls at Ebuys and the impact of weather.
Shiekh Shoes Seeks Financing
Shiekh Shoes is seeking financing to avoid a bankruptcy filing, according to a report in Reuters. Owner Shiekh Ellahi blamed the urban chain’s struggles on online competition.
Hibbett Sports Hikes Outlook After Q3 Beat
Hibbett Sports lifted its outlook for the year after reporting that underlying sales trends significantly improved in the third quarter. Comps were down 1.3 percent versus an 11.7 percent tumble in the second quarter with notable improvement in footwear, apparel and team equipment.
Foot Locker’s Shares Skyrocket On Hopeful Forecast
Shares of Foot Locker Inc. vaulted $8.97, or 28.2 percent, to $40.82 on Friday after the sneaker powerhouse reported third-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street’s targets and indicated that results for the full year may exceed guidance. Foot Locker officials also outlined a number of steps it’s taking to revive top-line growth.
Sportsman’s Warehouse Trims EPS Outlook On Promotions/Ammunition Deflation
Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. lowered its EPS guidance for the full year due to expectations that the heightened promotional climate and price-compression in ammunition will not let up in the fourth quarter.
Aisle Talk, Week Of November 13
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week.
Athleta “On Fire” In Q3
“Simply put, Athleta is on fire,” said Art Peck, president and CEO, Gap Inc. “Top and bottom line momentum continues. We’re seeing exceptional growth outpacing the industry with operating margin expansion.”
Shoe Carnival Lifts Outlook On Robust Athletic Trends
Said Cliff Sifford, CEO, “We believe the positive athletic and athleisure trend happening in the family footwear channel will continue, and we have reallocated inventory dollars to those specific categories for the fall season to take advantage of this trend.”
Wall Street Reacts: Dicks Q3
For the analyst community, Dick’s issuance of a poor outlook for 2018 indicates that the industry’s return to healthy, full-price selling will take longer than expected.
FDRA Holiday Surveys Sees Shoe Spending Increasing
FDRA’s 2017 Holiday Shoe Sales Survey shows comfort/casual sneakers/leisure footwear remain the top choice for holiday shoe buyers, more shoppers are planning to spend more than $100 on shoes, and Amazon dominating as go-to-place online for holiday shoe buying.
Sport Chek’s Weak Sales Continue, Management Upbeat On Prospects
“There are aspects of the business we are pleased with and others that require attention,” said Stephen Wetmore, CEO and president of Canadian Tire, the owner of FGL Sports, of the business on his company’s third quarter conference call. “However, everything we look at is providing upside potential.”
