EXEC: Topo Athletic CEO Tony Post Talks Meteoric Growth for the Running Brand
SGB Executive talks with Topo Athletic’s Founder and CEO Tony Post about the brand’s momentum, recent product wins, its partnership with DBI, tariff turmoil, and future opportunities.
EXEC: Cutter & Buck’s Swedish Parent Acquires Austria’s Cotton Classics
Through this acquisition, New Wave Group will strengthen its presence in several Central and Eastern European countries, particularly in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, as well as in other countries in the region. The purchase price amounts to €47.6 million ($55mm).
EXEC: Czechoslovak Group Plans Debt Offering; Sees Healthy Start to Second Quarter
The company, which acquired Vista’s Kinetic Group in November 2024, reported that based on unaudited preliminary management accounts, revenue, operating EBITDA, and operating EBITDA margin for the five months ended May 31, amounted to €2.3 billion, €631.8 million and 27.3 percent, respectively.
EXEC: Duer Partners on Europe Launch; Expands Retail Presence in North America
A strategic partnership with Hectic Europe is expected to facilitate the brand’s European launch while the company continues to expand its retail presence with new branded stores set to open in Victoria, British Columbia; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco, California.
EXEC: Wall Street Remains Skeptical of Any Nike Recovery in Fiscal Q4
Analysts expect Nike, Inc. will meet or exceed conservative guidance when it reports earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter ended May 31 on Thursday evening, June 24; however, results will again be well below year-ago levels.
EXEC: Giant Group May Bike Shipments Crater Nearly 30 Percent
May shipments declined 29.3 percent y/y to NT$5.06 billion, pushing the five-month year-to-date period to a decline of 8.3 percent y/y to NT$27.6 billion. The May decline builds on a 7.3 percent decline in May 2024.
EXEC: Switchback Spring 2025 Through the Eyes of the Industry
Sights and sounds from the inaugural Switchback Spring event in Nashville, Tennessee, featuring photos from show attendees, exhibitors and Outdoor Industry Association.
EXEC: Bain Study Sees Luxury Sector Facing Soft Second Half
Luxury consumption is expected to contract 2 percent to 5 percent for the year, according to a recent report from Bain & Company, across key luxury categories, as price fatigue and macroeconomic turbulence continue to weigh on consumers
EXEC: Switchback Spring Brings Energy Back to a National Outdoor Show
While energy was high and attitude was positive, the show, unfortunately, did not escape the usual backroom banter and aisle talk about the venue’s few shortcomings, particularly about timing. Diversified will need to be cautious about whom they listen to and the motives of those pushing in each direction, as the outdoor industry risks a déjà vu event with this new potential gem.
EXEC: Boulder’s Full Cycle Bikes & Colorado Multisport Acquired by Mike’s Bikes
Mike’s Bikes, the 18-store bike retail chain based out of California’s Marin County, has acquired Boulder’s Full Cycle Bikes & Colorado Multisport in an all-cash deal. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Report: Nike to Delay Launch of NikeSkims
Reuters is reporting that Nike’s launch of its planned NikeSkims activewear brand in the U.S. has been delayed as the two companies work to get the product right, according to a company spokesperson.
EXEC: Rip Curl Inches Up, Oboz Sinks for Parent KMD’s YTD Period
Rip Curl global direct-to-consumer sales continued to grow year-over-year (YOY) through the second half of fiscal 2025 to-date, with strong comparable sales results in North American flagship stores.
EXEC: Yakima to Transition DACH Region Distribution to Grofa Action Sports GmbH
Grofa Action Sports GmbH will serve as exclusive distributor in the Germany, Austria and Switzerland region, effective August 1, 2025. Phobos will transition to a distributor at that time for Czechia and Slovakia and as a Master Distributor for select developing markets in Europe.
EXEC: Nike Faces Needham Price Target Cut on Slow Recovery
Needham analysts trimmed their price target on Nike to $66 from $75 amid ongoing weakness in brand momentum and a slower-than-expected path to recovery. Needham’s Tom Nikic wrote, “NKE still faces headwinds from rationalizing over-supplied product franchises (Jordan, Dunk), brand heat still appears to be lukewarm, and they now have tariffs to contend with as well.”
EXEC: Koroyd, Smith, and Burton Settle U.S. Patent Dispute with Exclusive Patent License Agreements
Under the settlement terms, WaveCel technology is now restricted to use solely by Burton in those licensed, redesigned snow sports helmets, and may not be offered, supplied, or integrated with any other brands or partners in the snow sports helmet market.
