SGB Executive

EXEC: Inside Birkenstock’s Growth Plans

In its IPO prospectus, Birkenstock said it sees “ample whitespace to continue growing the Birkenstock brand” by raising brand awareness, production capacity expansion, core and new product portfolio innovation, and a continued DTC shift.

EXEC: Birkenstock Files for IPO

Birkenstock Holding filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing shows revenues increasing to €1.24 billion ($1.33 bn) in FY22 from €727.9 million in fiscal 2020, a 31 percent two-year CAGR (compound annual growth rate).

EXEC: Skechers Notes Continued Pressure in U.S. Wholesale Business

Speaking at the Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference, John Vandemore, the CFO at Skechers USA, said the company continues to see strong demand for the brand across its DTC channels but is not seeing any indication that the elevated inventories affecting U.S. wholesale business to alleviate anytime soon.

EXEC: Academy Sees Upside as Brands Shift Back to Wholesale Focus

ASO executives covered a wide range of topics in the Fireside Chat at the Goldman Sachs conference, including the promotional climate, the chain’s expanding “good, better, best” pricing strategy and major vendors’ newfound appreciation of wholesale sales.

EXEC: Active Lifestyle Retail Weathers Rough Second Quarter Waters

Although a few retailers outperformed in the second quarter, big names in the active lifestyle space fought through a challenging  quarter amid promotional pressures, retail theft and the consumer’s continued shift away from discretionary purchases.

Report: New Era Preparing for Initial Public Offering

New Era Cap, LLC is reportedly talking to law firms and investment banks as part of a plan to go public next year. The IPO comes after fourth-generation company leader Chris Koch stepped down last fall from daily operations as private equity firms bought a significant stake in the headwear manufacturer.

EXEC: American Outdoor Brands Execs Detail Fiscal First Quarter Progress

The recent issues with inventory and reduced consumer demand in the broader firearms market at retail had an effect of the company’s Shooting Sports segment, but strong growth in the company’s Outdoor Lifestyle segment offset the decline in the shooting accessories business.

EXEC: G-III Apparel Sees Champion Outerwear Extending Reach to Athletic Channels

On the company’s second-quarter analyst call, Morris Goldfarb, G-III Apparel’s longtime chairman and CEO, said he sees G-III’s new multi-year license to produce outerwear under the Champion brand presenting opportunities to reach Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker and other athletic retailers.

EXEC: Zumiez Hopeful for Holiday Selling After Q2 Beat and BTS Momentum

Zumiez, Inc. reported better-than-expected Q2 results with sales declines lessening further into the third quarter, including men’s, its largest category, turning positive. The action sports chain predicted another high-single to low-double-digit decline for the third quarter but remains hopeful of continued improvement through holiday selling.

EXEC: DSW Parent Gets Lift from Casual Offerings, Nike’s Early Return

Shares of Designer Brands Inc., the parent of the DSW, surged 22 percent Thursday after reporting second-quarter results that topped Wall Street targets with both sales and gross margins improving sequentially versus the first quarter. Doug Howe, CEO, said sales were helped by “increasing strength in our casual offerings,” including a strong launch of Le Tigre footwear, and he remains enthused about the return this month of Nike to DSW’s selling floors.

EXEC: Amer Sports Files Confidentially to Go Public

Amer Sports, the parent of Salomon, Wilson, Arc’teryx and other sports brands, filed confidentially for a U.S. initial public offering that could value the group as high as $10 billion. The offering would come as Amer Sports’ business has seen accelerated growth, driven by Arc’teryx and Salomon and growth in China.

Study: American Malls Making a Comeback Post-Pandemic

A study conducted by Coresight Research found that traffic at U.S. shopping malls has recovered and surpassed pre-COVID levels, supported by the “halo effect” created by a brand’s online and offline presence in a mall, brand synergy in malls and omnichannel retail investments.