EXEC: Callaway Hikes Outlook on Resilient Demand for Golf Balls, Clubs
First-quarter results topped expectations on strength in both Callaway clubs and TravisMathew drove the company to sharply raise its full-year outlook. CEO Chip Brewer said Callaway’s bullish outlook in part reflects resilient demand from golfers despite macroeconomic uncertainty.
EXEC: Black Diamond’s Neil Fiske Envisions Potential Price Increases from Iran War
Looking ahead, Fiske said BDE has a strong order book for the second half of the year, which should support growth for the full year 2026 compared to 2025. The wild card, of course, is the substantial risk posed by a prolonged Iran war to consumer discretionary spend, as well as factor costs, supply chain, and deliveries.
EXEC: Under Armour and Mizuno Brazil Partner Posts Net Income Slide on Higher Debt Load
Under Armour reinforced its presence in the training market and expanded its role in performance running in Brazil in the first quarter while Mizuno picked up steam after its return to road running.
EXEC: Kontoor Brands Sees Lee Divestiture as Path to Accelerate Helly Hansen’s Growth
On an analyst call, Kontoor Brands Inc. officials said its move to divest the Lee denim business will only open more opportunities to drive further momentum in the Helly Hansen business. Kontoor CEO Scott Baxter said, “Through improved focus and increased investment capacity, we see a clear path to double-digit growth in our home market.”
EXEC: Thule Group Acquires Dog Harness Maker Curli AG
Thule agreed to acquire Curli AG, a Swiss-based maker of dog harnesses, for SEK 118 million ($13M). Thule said Curli is a global leader in the premium segment, in particular for vest-style harnesses for smaller dogs. Harnesses for larger dogs will be launched under the Thule brand already in the fall 2026.
EXEC: BOA and Velocity Outdoor Drive CODI’s Q1 Gainers; PrimaLoft Takes Impairment Charge
Compass Diversified (CODI) reported BOA’s sales grew 7 percent in the first quarter on market share gains across key categories to lead the company’s active lifestyle businesses. 5.11’s sales declined due in part to efforts to reduce DTC promotions. PrimaLoft, which recently overhauled leadership, absorbed a goodwill write-off.
EXEC: JD Sports Sees Resilient Europe, Weak UK and Improving North America in 2026
The parent of Hibbett, JD, Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace in the U.S. and multiple other sports, outdoor and footwear banners across Europe and Asia Pacific, posted total sales of £12.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 31, an 11.7 percent year-over-year (y/y) increase at constant FX rates and 10.5 percent y/y growth at reported rates.
EXEC: Nidecker Group Adds Europe Distribution for Etnies, éS, and Emerica
The Nidecker brands join OneTurn’s already stellar line up of Volcom, Spyder, and Aspen Collection. The Etnies, éS, and Emerica brands remain owned by The Nidecker Group and continue to operate as part of the company’s global portfolio of boardsports brands.
EXEC: Titleist Parent Talks Product Launches, Pricing Actions and Tariffs
Acushnet Holdings Corp. reported sales grew 4.1 percent in the first quarter on a currency-neutral basis, led by strength in Titleist golf balls and clubs and higher prices across many categories. On a quarterly analyst call, David Maher, Acushnet’s president and CEO, called out a promising launch to Titleist’s GTS drivers and indicated the overall golf season is off to a healthy start globally.
EXEC: RevolutionRace Ekes Out Q1 Sales Growth Despite U.S. Weakness
Sales in the United States were at their highest in the year-ago quarter and have since been negatively impacted by changing market conditions, such as the introduction of tariffs.
Report: West Marine Prepares for Bankruptcy
Boating and fishing retailer West Marine is working with financial and legal advisors to evaluate financial options, including filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, in order to restructure debt and close underperforming stores following a slump in discretionary spending, according to a report from Bloomberg.
Castore Secures £90M Credit Facility to Support Growth
Castore, the Manchester-based sportswear brand, secured a £90 million ($122mm) facility to support the opening of more stores in the UK and continued international expansion into key Middle Eastern and Asian markets. The facility came from HSBC UK, BNP Paribas and Lloyds.
EXEC: Descente Sees Fourth Consecutive Year of Record Profits
Descente, owned by Japanese trading house Itochu Corp, achieved record profits for the fourth consecutive year, mainly due to robust growth in China.
EXEC: Varsity Brands CEO Adam Blumenfeld Eyes Growth Opps in Soccer and Lacrosse
Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands, the parent company of BSN Sports and Varsity Spirit, spoke with SGB Executive about the potential synergies and opportunities arising from BSN Sports’ acquisition of Sports Endeavors, the operator of Soccer.com and lacrosse retailer Lax.com.
EXEC: GameStop Makes $56 Billion Bid to Acquire eBay
The original “meme stock” company has made an unsolicited, non-binding offer to acquire eBay for $125 per share in a cash-and-stock deal, valuing the e-commerce platform at roughly $55.5 billion. GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen told the Wall Street Journal that he saw a path to make the e-commerce company a much bigger competitor to Amazon.com.
