EXEC: Saucony’s New President Looks to Lean Into Innovation
Saucony, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2023, in June named Rob Griffiths president. Here, Griffiths talked with SGB Executive about the brand’s authenticity and commitment to innovation, opportunities away from the run business, and his message to the run specialty community.
EXEC: Mips AB Sees Q2 Sales Halved on Tough Bike Inventories, Late Season Start
Swedish helmet technology provider Mips AB saw second-quarter revenues cut in half from the year-ago comparable period, led by a continued sharp decline in the company’s Sport and Moto businesses.
EXEC: Nike Hit by Lawsuit Over Pocket Bras
Nike is facing a lawsuit in Boston Federal Court by an inventor who claims the sportswear giant stole her technology for a line of sports bras with pockets. In court papers, SherryWear, LLC said that its founder, Sherry Goff, first pitched her patented Pocket Bra to Nike in 2015.
Thule, Inc.’s Q2 Sales Fall on Continued Cycling Inventory Imbalances
Thule, Inc. reported another challenging quarter as sales fell 15 percent in the Swedish company’s second quarter. The decline was attributed to weak bike-related product sales as retailers focused on reducing inventory levels.
EXEC: Selkirk Sport Co-Founder Talks Capitalizing on Pickleball’s Fast Growth
Brothers Mike and Rob Barnes started Selkirk Sport in Hayden, ID, in 2014, believing that pickleball, once an obscure sport played by seniors and in physical education classes, was about to take off. Rob Barnes, co-founder and co-CEO, talked with SGB Executive about Selkirk’s and the sport of pickleball’s potential growth and its challenges.
EXEC: Giant Group Sales Inch Down in Q2 as June Decline Disappoints
Giant Group reported that consolidated revenue for the second quarter inched down 1.2 percent as sales in June fell in double-digits, erasing a strong start for the period.
EXEC: Anta Sports Sees Retail Sales Accelerate in Q2; Fila Up in High-Teens
Anta brand retail sales increased in high-single-digits in Q2, while Fila brand sales increased in the high teens. The All Other Brands segment posted 70 percent to 75 percent growth in the period.
EXEC: Lululemon Lays Off 100 Employees at Mirror Business
Lululemon confirmed with SGB Media reports that it has laid off 100 employees from Lululemon Studio, which represents its Mirror connected fitness business. In mid-April, reports arrived that Lululemon was working with an advisor to explore the sale of Mirror.
EXEC: China’s Slowed Recovery Bad Omen for Sports Industry’s Global Players
Hopes by several global players in the active lifestyle space that a strengthening recovery in China would offset weakness in North America this year were dimmed Monday after China’s second-quarter GDP growth arrived below expectations.
Study: Gen-Z an Untapped Opportunity for Fitness
A study from Les Mills, “Gen Z Fitness: Cracking the Code,” found that 36 percent of the Gen Z generation exercise regularly and 50 percent, identified as the “untapped market.” want to work out regularly but said they need help getting started.
Stella International Sees Moderating Declines in Footwear Shipments in Q2, Higher ASPs
The manufacturer of footwear for Nike, Saucony, Under Armour, Merrell, Timberland and Ugg saw Q2 shipment volumes decrease by approximately 6.7 percent year-over-year, which signaled a more moderate decline than in the first quarter.
EXEC: RG Barry CEO Talks Data, Digital and Consumer Focus
RG Barry, the parent of Dearfoams slippers and Baggallini handbags and backpacks, has seen sales double over the past five years with a 15 percent compound annual growth rate. Bob Mullaney, CEO, talked with SGB Executive about the company’s recent progress, growth potential and key brand initiatives.
EXEC: New Study Sees Walmart, Dollar Stores, Off-Pricers as BTS Winners
Coresight Research’s U.S. Back-To-School (BTS) 2023 study found the big BTS winner is expected to be Walmart with Amazon and Target losing ground. Dollar stores and off-pricers were also seen gaining BTS share with those channels, as well as Walmart, benefiting from the post-pandemic recovery in-store shopping.
EXEC: Inside the Jogology Launch with Co-Founder Tanya Pictor
Tanya and Bert Pictor, the founders of Balega Socks, are partnering with Luke Rowe, the running industry veteran, to launch a new running sock brand, Jogology, that will be sold exclusively at run specialty stores. Tanya Pictor talked to SGB Executive about inspiration behind Jogology and how the brand plans to differentiate itself in the crowded sock market.
Yue Yuen Manufacturing Business Revenues Falls 24.2 Percent in June
Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited, a subsidiary of Pou Chen Corporation that manufactures a large percentage of global athletic and outdoor footwear, reported that its net consolidated operating revenue for June was $676.8 million, an 18.9 percent decline year over year.
