EXEC: Rip Curl, Oboz Parent KMD Brands Sees Weaker-Than-Expected End to Fiscal Year
The parent company to the Rip Curl, Oboz and Kathmandu brands reported a slower-than-expected start to the winter promotional season for Kathmandu and noted that Rip Curl and Oboz wholesale customers continue to reduce their inventory holdings.
EXEC: Vista Sees Proxy Advisor Change View on Ammo Group Sale; Suggests MNC Re-Look
Institutional Shareholder Services is now calling on Vista Outdoor shareholders to abstain from voting on Vista’s $1.96 billion sale of its Kinetic Group ammunition business unit to Czechoslovakia Group after recommending shareholders approve the sale only three weeks ago.
EXEC: Smith & Wesson CEO Sees Company Outpacing Industry, Led by 1854 Launch
In the sporting goods channel, the company’s long gun unit shipments increased by over 14 percent in the fourth quarter versus the year-ago period and handgun shipments were said to be up almost 8 percent.
EXEC: EMS/Bob’s Parent to Shutter Distribution Center in Bankruptcy Proceedings
In a bankruptcy court affidavit, David Barton, CEO of Mountain Sports LLC, the parent of Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) and Bob’s Stores, said the company plans to close its primary distribution center and fulfill orders from stores as an initial step its reorganization.
EXEC: EMS/Bob’s Parent Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Mountain Sports, the parent of Eastern Mountain Sports and Bob’s Stores, filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 protection in Wilmington, DE, U.S. Bankruptcy Court…
EXEC: Nike Hit By Analyst Estimate Cuts Ahead of Earnings Report
Ahead of Nike’s quarterly report next week, several analysts reduced their EPS targets for Nike’s fiscal year ended May 31, 2025, on weaker-than-expected sales in the first half of the current fiscal year and concerns about how quickly investments the company has made in innovations will take hold.
EXEC: Giant Group Sees May Sales Decline Accelerate
The Taiwan-based bicycle manufacturer reported a 7.1 percent year-over-year decline for the month to NT$7.2 million.
Report: Troubling Decline in Core Outdoor Participants
Among it’s findings, the OIA 2024 Outdoor Participation Trends Report found that the average number of outings per participant in 2023 fell 11.4 percent from 70.5 per participant in 2022 to 62.5 outings per participant in 2023.
EXEC: Delta Apparel Suspends and Explores Shuttering Honduras Operations
The parent of the Soffe, Delta and Salt Life brands reported in a regulatory filing that it plans to formally suspend its manufacturing operations in Honduras due to ongoing liquidity challenges, impacting approximately 2,413 employees.
EXEC: Nike’s Valuation Dips Again in Kantar’s 2024 Most Valuable Brands Study
Nike retained its No.1 brand position in apparel in Kantar Brand’s “Most Valuable Global Brands Report” for 2024 but its valuation fell for the second year in the row while big gains were marked by Zara, Lululemon, Adidas, Uniqlo, and H&M.
Delta Group President Resigns
Delta Apparel said in a regulatory filing that Matt Miller, president of Delta Group, the company’s largest segment, had submitted his resignation. Miller’s exit follows Delta’s announcement on May 31 that longtime Chairman and CEO Robert Humphreys will resign from his role with the company, effective June 29, at the request of Delta’s independent board directors.
EXEC: Academy Sports Talks Push for Better Footwear Allocations
Steve Lawrence, CEO at Academy Sports, elaborated on the retailer’s efforts to improve access to better product from its footwear vendor partners and secure new brands, including Hoka and On.
Bob’s and EMS to Close Stores, Layoff Employees Amid Financial Struggles
Owned by Los Angeles-based GoDigital Media Group, Bob’s Stores and EMS are closing some stores and will layoff employees beginning June 14 as it company faces liquidity woes.
EXEC: Academy Sports CEO Remains Bullish on Sales Recovery
Academy Sports and Outdoors missed Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the second straight quarter on lower-than-expected sales but Steve Lawrence, CEO, told analysts he remains confident growth will improve in coming quarters as the chain benefits from a focus on newness and value while capitalizing on key selling occasions over the year.
EXEC: Vista Outdoor Receives New Bid For Ammo Business, JDH Capital Reported Bidder
Vista Outdoor reported it received an all-cash $2 billion takeover offer for its ammunition business from an unnamed private U.S. investment firm. JDH Capital, the investment group run by Texas oil billionaire Jeffrey Hildebrand, is behind a new bid, sources told the Financial Times.
