EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz Parent KMD Posts Positive Fiscal H1 on Strong Online Sales
The parent of the Rip Curl, Oboz and Kathmandu brands said Group online sales performance has been a highlight, with all three brands achieving double-digit sales growth y/y. Online reportedly remains a key growth priority for the Group.
EXEC: EY M&A Outlook Signals Cautious U.S. Deal Market
EY expects U.S. deal volume will rise 10 percent in 2025, building on a robust 13 percent advance in 2024, driven by sustained economic activity, decreasing interest rates, pent-up demand & reduced valuation gaps.
EXEC: Sports Direct to Expand South Asia Presence with Map Active
This latest strategic partnership between Sports Direct parent Frasers Group and MAP Active will expand the sporting goods retailer further into Indonesia, with entry into India, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
EXEC: Spartoo Improves 2024 Cash Flows Through Improved Inventory Management
Spartoo is signaling that it will continue offering a wide range of footwear, ready-to-wear, bags, and accessories throughout 2024, even as it manages its online inventory more tightly.
EXEC: Fila Sets U.S. Re-Org and Inventory Sell-Off; Market Re-Entry TBD
The company has essentially shuttered the U.S. business and expects full clearance by strategically selling off Fila USA inventory by the end of 2025, and determine if best avenue for re-entry in the market is direct operations, licensing or a distribution model.
EXEC: Stella Footwear Factories Ship 53M Pairs in 2024
The manufacturer of footwear for Nike, Saucony, Under Armour, Merrell, Timberland and Ugg saw Q3 shipment volumes roughly flat in US dollar terms, despite comping against a decrease of approximately 18.7 percent in Q3 last year.
Nike, Inc. Sees Turnaround Efforts Lasting through Fiscal 2026
Analysts were optimistic about the “Win Now” initiatives outlined by CEO Elliott Hill, but many shared concerns that the path ahead is likely to be long and volatile, pushing into the 2026 fiscal year, which commences in July 2025.
EXEC: The Apparel Brands Bringing the Brand Heat in 2025
The Third Annual Brand Heat Index from L.E.K. Consulting identified the brands to have gaine in popularity, or increasing brand “heat,” across major product categories and generations in women’s and men’s footwear and apparel.
EXEC: Designer Brands CEO Shares 2025 Plans for DSW, Topo Athletic, Keds and Private Label
The parent of DSW, The Shoe Co., and Rubino, and the Topo Athletic, Keds, Le Tigre, Hush Puppies, and other footwear brands, plans to focus on a larger athleisure assortment at retail and more focus on Topo Athletic, Keds and Private Label in the Brand Portfoloio.
EXEC: The Footwear Brands Bringing the Brand Heat in 2025
L.E.K. said the athletic footwear brands tend to engender the most excitement from consumers overall, and other surveys and analysis over the last year have seen even more excitement as Nike stumbled and left the door open for others.
EXEC: Citi Survey Sees Nike Perceptions Slip, Adidas Gain
The February survey saw Nike retaining the highest Net Promoter Score of all the brands surveyed at +43 in February (down from +46 in December), followed by Adidas in the No. 2 spot (up from the No. 4 spot in December).
EXEC: Wall Street Lays Out Expectations Ahead of Nike’s Fiscal Q3 Results
Margins are a concern in the near term, given the need for Nike to liquidate inventory. While the company continues to pull back promotions on its website, outlet stores will continue to see increased pressure.
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent to Make Another Run at Nordic Retailer XXL ASA
It appears that Frasers Group plc (Frasers), the UK-based parent of the Sports Direct global sporting goods retailer, is making another run at Norway-based sporting goods retailer XXL ASA.
EXEC: Saucony and Merrell Grow 57 Percent in China in 2024; Saucony Hits Benchmark
In 2024, revenue from the combined Merrell and Saucony brands segment realized a year-over-year growth of 57.2 percent, accounting for 9.2 percent of the Group’s total revenue.
EXEC: Giant Group Posted Big February Shipment Growth Before Tariffs Hit
The increase in February may be a reaction to tariffs that were to take effect in March as U.S. brands and factories across Asia moved shipments up to ensure pricing.
