Backcountry’s Kevin Lenau Discusses AI-Driven Transformation, Outdoor Opportunity
Lenau discusses the AI-driven transformation the company is undergoing since it was acquired by CSC Generation Enterprise (CSC), its recent acquisitions of Velotech and Level Nine Sports, its newer store and wholesale pushes, trends in the outdoor space, and the company’s website’s recently improved performance.
EXEC: Wall Street Eager to Hear Foot Locker Strategy on Dick’s SG’s Q3 Call
Dick’s Sporting Goods will log another growth quarter, outpacing the broader retail market, when it reports third-quarter results next Tuesday, November 25, but analysts will also be listening closely as the company is expected to announce further details on cost synergies, potential store closings and turnaround strategies for the recently acquired Foot Locker banners.
EXEC: Athleta Brand President is Getting a Longer Leash to Return as a Premium Aspirational Brand
Time appears to be something GAP is willing to give to the active lifestyle brand, as company expectations for a quick solution to the woes at Athleta have given way to a longer-term view. Athleta posted an 11 percent year-over-year decrease in both net and comparable sales in the 2025 third quarter.
EXEC: Dr. Martens Shrinks Loss in Half, Sales Dip
Dr. Martens plc reported a 0.8 percent decline in sales in the fiscal half ended September 28, but reduced its losses before taxes in half due to a strong focus on full-price selling and cost controls. The Americas was the best performing region with revenue up 6 percent on a currency-neutral basis.
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Acquires Glasgow’s Braehead Shopping Centre
Frasers Group plc, the UK-based parent of Sports Direct, announced the acquisition of Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest shopping center, which includes an arena and leisure facilities.
EXEC: JD Sports Sees FY Profit at Lower End of Forecasts Amid Macro Pressures
JD Sports Fashion Plc in a update warned its full-year profit would be at the lower end of market expectations due to “recent weak macro and consumer indicators in our key markets.” In the third quarter, same-store sales were down 3.3 percent in the UK, 1.7 percent in North America, and 1.7 percent overall.
EXEC: Colt CZ Group Lowers Annual Outlook on U.S. Shutdown Impact
Czech-based firearms maker Colt CZ Group SE posted a gain in its nine-month earnings on 7 percent revenue growth but lowered its annual outlook, citing revenue delays caused by the U.S. government shutdown.
EXEC: TSG International Fine-Tunes Distribution Network by Uniting Northern Europe and UK Regions
The Swiss safety gear company said it is further strengthening its Northern European footprint by consolidating its sales operations in Denmark and the UK under its distribution partner, JustSupreme ApS, and expanding into Ireland and Iceland.
EXEC: Thule Group Sets Long-Term Organic Growth Target to 7 Percent Annually
Ahead of its investor day, today, November 20, at its headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, Thule Group revised its long-term sales target, replacing its previous target of reaching SEK 20 billion in sales by 2030 with a mandate to achieve 7 percent organic growth.
EXEC: Running Category Continues Robust Momentum in Third Quarter
Driven by high interest in running-influenced lifestyle offerings and solid demand for performance running models, the running category delivered another banner third quarter, with On, Saucony, Altra, and Nike among those posting healthy double-digit gains.
EXEC: Rip Curl and Oboz Parent Posts Solid Fiscal Q1 Sales Growth with Focus on Inventory Sell-Down
The parent of the Rip Curl, Kathmandu and Oboz businesses worldwide provided an update on the 14-week first quarter of fiscal year 2026, indicating 7.9 percent year-over-year growth but weaker gross margins due to a continued focus by all brands to sell through aged inventory and enhance the balance sheet.
EXEC: Callaway Unloads Topgolf at $1.1 Billion Valuation
Topgolf Callaway Brands sold the majority of the Topgolf business to Leonard Green & Partners L.P. at a steep discount from what the company had paid for it. Some analysts saw the move as helping to simplify the business and allowing management to concentrate on its core golf equipment platform, but others wanted Callaway to sell the entire Topgolf stake.
EXEC: Amer Sports Continues to Lean Heavily on Asia Growth and DTC to Deliver the Big Numbers
The parent company of Arc’teryx, Peak Performance, Salomon, Atomic, and Wilson Sports, reported that strong momentum continued in the 2025 third quarter, led by exceptional Salomon footwear growth, a re-acceleration int the Arc’teryx omni-comp rate, and solid growth from Wilson Tennis 360. All trends were led by Asia growth.
EXEC: Nike Strength’s Nordic Distributor WeSports Posts High-Teens Q3 Growth
The Malmö, Sweden-based manufacturer of sports equipment and parent of specialty retailers, HockeySports, RunningXpert and other retailers supporting active sports lifestyle consumers, reported organic growth of 18.5 percent compared to Q3 2024. Currency effects reportedly had a negative 1.1 percent impact on the results.
EXEC: Analysts Generally Positive on Under Armour’s Split from Steph Curry
While some analysts view Under Armour as facing reputational risk from its decision to end its partnership with four-time NBA champion Steph Curry, most believe the move will favorably reduce its exposure to the flagging footwear category and help the brand refocus on its core apparel business.
