SGB Executive

EXEC: Adidas CEO Sees U.S. Marketplace Challenges Lasting Well into 2024

On Adidas’ third-quarter conference call with analysts, Bjorn Gulden, CEO, said Adidas’ sales in the U.S. “will probably not grow at all in the first half” of 2024 as North America lags other regions in rightsizing inventory levels. He said, “Inventory levels in the U.S. in general is still an issue. I think it lags about six months versus the rest of the world.”

EXEC: Yeti Eyes Return to Double-Digit Growth In Fourth Quarter

Yeti Holdings Inc. slightly reduced its sales guidance for the year due in part to cautious ordering from wholesale partners but still expects sales to return to double-digit sales gains in the fourth quarter as the brand recovers from a massive recall and experiences positive sell-throughs at U.S. wholesale channel across drinkware and coolers & equipment segments.

EXEC: Under Armour Can’t Dodge North American Turbulence

Under Armour reported sales and earnings in the fiscal second quarter ended September 30 topped analyst targets, but annual sales guidance was reduced due to further deterioration in the North American wholesale business. CEO Stephanie Linnartz told analysts, “Several forces are at play here, including inflation and consumer confidence, normalizing inventory levels amid still broad promotions, and overall softness in our future wholesale order book.”

New Wave Group Gets Lift from Tenson Deal to Post Q3 Sales Growth

The Swedish-based owner of Ahead, Auclair, Craft, Cutter & Buck, and Tenson AB, reported that net sales increased 5 percent (+1 percent currency-neutral) to SEK 2,337.0 million, but sales would declined had it not been for sales from the acquired outdoor gear brand Tenson.

EXEC: Black Diamond’s NA Sales Show Some Stabilization

Clarus Corp. reported that Black Diamond’s sales improved sequentially from the second quarter and were down modestly in the third quarter as the North American region showed signs of stabilization to offset softness in its European business.

Clif Bar Again Sees Double-Digit Growth In Third Quarter

Mondelez International reported that Clif Bar delivered another quarter of double-digit growth and improved profitability in the third quarter ended September 30. Its other snack bar brands, Grenade and Perfect Snacks, also delivered double-digit gains.

EXEC: Investor Doubts Follow Fox Factory’s Acquisition of Marucci Sports

Fox Factory’s plans to acquire Marucci Sports, the maker of baseball bats and gloves, for $572.0 million has drawn skepticism from Wall Street analysts concerned about the timing given the company’s struggles and how the acquisition fits alongside its core suspension components businesses.

Birkenstock Gets Lift from First Run of Post-IPO Analyst Reports

Wall Street brokerages largely initiated Birkenstock Holding with their top ratings, pointing to a likely boost from the German sandal maker’s loyalty with consumers, expansion into untapped categories, channels and geographies, and recent investments to increase capacity.

EXEC: Wrapping Up the Less-Than-Jolly Holiday Forecasts For Retail

Holiday forecasts arriving in recent weeks roundly forecast sales will slow this year versus pandemic stimulus-boosted gains in recent years. However, while many expect a “resilient” consumer will drive solid gains similar to pre-pandemic levels, some see inflationary and macroeconomic concerns weighing disproportionately on discretionary spending.

EXEC: Boot Barn Cuts Q3 and Full Year Outlook as Retail Turns Sour

Fiscal Q2 retail store same-store sales declined 3.8 percent and e-commerce same-store sales declined 11.7 percent year-over-year. Comps were said to be in line with expectations through August, but September experienced softer-than-expected results and that trend reportedly continued into October.