SGB Executive

Gander Mountain Details Liquidity Crisis

In an affidavit urging the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District Of Minnesota to support its financing needs, Gander Mountain indicated that it has accumulated “substantial operating losses over the past two fiscal years” as a result of many of the challenges faced by other chains entering bankruptcy proceedings over the last year.

Tilly’s Shares Slide On Weak Outlook

Said Ed Thomas, president and CEO, “We made progress but need to keep finding ways to drive sales and improve profitability in the absence of significant store growth.”

Camping, Firearms, Classic Footwear Drive 2016 Sporting Goods Revenues

Camping, firearms, classic footwear, soccer and lacrosse were among the strongest selling categories for the sporting goods industry last year, according to the just-released 2017 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Manufacturers’ Sales by Category Report.

Gander Mountain Files For Chapter 11

Gander Mountain Co., as expected, filed for bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota. The hunt & fish specialist plans to close 32 of its approximately 160 stores in coming weeks but is in active discussions with a number of parties interested in a going-concern sale.

Hibbett’s Q4 Dragged Down By Legacy Sports Categories

Said Jared Briskin, SVP and chief merchant, ”The continued declines of some of our legacy businesses such as performance apparel and footwear, licensed products and equipment continue to reinforce our direction, focusing on sports-inspired fashion products for our stores.”

Zumiez Sees Q1 Losses Widening

Said Rick Brooks, CEO, “We see heightened macro level economic unpredictability and continue to be impacted by other headwinds that have plagued the retail sector for most of the last few years.”

Dorel Sports Stung By Delays In Bike Purchases

Martin Schwartz, president and CEO of Dorel Industries, said, “Dorel Sports has worked throughout 2016 to position itself for an earnings rebound this year, excess industry inventories have been reduced and the ramp in discounting should not be repeated.”

Bogs Q4 Revenues Continue To Feel 2015 Winter Hangover

Thomas Florsheim, Weyco Group’s CEO, said, “While retailers are currently much cleaner than last year at this time, our sense is that they will continue to take a conservative approach towards inventory levels given the inconsistency of the weather the past couple of winter seasons.”

JackRabbit’s New Owner Eyes Expansion

Said Bill Kirkendall, CEO of JackRabbit, in an interview with SGB, “Our strategy is to consolidate all stores under the JackRabbit banner and grow organically and through acquisitions.”

Adidas Ramps Up Growth Goals

In his second quarterly conference call since taking over as CEO of Adidas AG, Kasper Rorsted strongly bumped up the company’s long-term growth outlook while announcing several new initiatives to support its five-year ‘Creating the New’ business plan.

Adidas Brand Stars In Q4

Adidas Brand’s gain of 18 percent on a currency-neutral basis was driven by double-digit growth in the running category as well as at Adidas Originals and Adidas Neo. In addition, high-single-digit growth in the training category contributed to the top-line improvement.

Black Diamond Returns To Core Focus For 2017

“The recurring take-away was retailers’ perception that Black Diamond had been distracted over the past four to five years by various strategic initiatives,” said John Walbrecht, president, about his discussions with retailers since joining the company five months ago.

Dick’s To Eliminate 20 Percent Of Its Vendor Mix

While reporting fourth-quarter earnings that arrived slightly ahead of targets, Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. said it’s implementing a new merchandise and vendor matrix that will reduce up to 20 percent of its brands.