EXEC: Rapala VMC Getting Big Hits with CrushCity Lures as Soft Baits Dominate
North American sales grew in almost all categories except hard baits, impacted by the trend shift in fishing techniques favoring soft plastics over hard baits. CrushCity was the driving force in the company’s soft bait business.
EXEC: Adidas Swings to Full-Year Profit in 2024; Job Cuts Loom at Herzo HQ
The company expects 2025 sales for the Adidas brand to grow at a double-digit rate in North America, Greater China, Emerging Markets, and Latin America. Europe and Japan/South Korea will increase at a high-single-digit rate.
EXEC: Foot Locker Execs Break Down Q4 Region, Banner and Brand Trends
Nike is still working to find its way back to a magic formula but found some energy around the NBA All Star festivities. Adidas is the focus in lifestyle and the Terrace trend while New Balance and Asics are gaining momentum and wall space.
EXEC: On Brand Sees Retail Stores and Apparel as Keys to Growth; Tariff Exposure Limited
On Holding reported in 2024 that it sourced about 90 percent of its shoes and approximately 60 percent of its apparel and accessories from Vietnam. The company last year sourced about 7 percent of its apparel and accessories from China.
EXEC: Fenix Outdoor Takes Majority Stake in Devold of Norway Wool Brand
The parent of Fjällräven, Royal Robbins, Hanwag, and Fenix Outdoor brands, has agreed to acquire 65 percent of the shares in Devold of Norway AS, which is described as a “pioneer in wool clothing for outdoor activities and protective workwear.”
EXEC: President Trump Pulls Trigger on China Tariffs; Market Asks What’s Next?
The expected tariff news hit on Monday, March 3, of a big news week related to the economy, starting with the Manufacturing PMI reports for February and ending with the Jobs Report on Friday, February 28.
EXEC: Sports Direct to Roll Out Stores in Gulf States and Egypt Via GMG Partnership
GMG has a strong presence in the Persian Gulf States (Gulf), North Africa and Southeast Asia, where it’s a key distributor and operator of Nike stores as well as its home-grown multi-brand sports retailer Sun & Sand Sports, among others.
EXEC: Velocity Outdoor Posts Full-Year Sales Decline After Crosman Divestiture
The decrease in net sales was driven by the divestiture of the Crosman air gun business, which the company sold on April 30, 2024. The remaining product categories reportedly decreased due to softness in the Hunting and Fishing market and retailers reducing their inventory-on-hand levels.
EXEC: Primaloft Posts Double-Digit Growth as Market Recovers from Inventory Woes
The textile partner for the outdoor market saw some upside in 2024 as inventory levels in the retail landscape began normalizing, increasing orders with retailers and with the company’s brand partners.
EXEC: BOA Posts Strong Double-Digit Increases in Sales and Operating Income for 2024
The 22.5 percent increase in sales was said to be the result of the improvement of end market inventory levels, coupled with market share gains in many of the brand’s key industries.
EXEC: 5.11 Tactical Posts Flat Sales in 2024 on Weak DTC Business; Takes PFAs Write-Down
Parent company CODI took a write-down of inventory of approximately $12 million at 5.11 related to PFAs regulations. CODI said the 5.11 sales decrease was driven by a $10.4 million decrease in direct-to-consumer sales due to less promotional sales and lower off-price selling, as well as a $0.5 million decrease in domestic wholesale sales due to inventory availability.
EXEC: Fox CEO Talks Marucci’s MLB Ramp Up and an Uneven Return of Bike Sales
As Marucci enters its first year as MLB’s official bat partner, the company has expanded its bat manufacturing capacity as well as designed new products to drive incremental sales and reinforce the company’smarket-leading position in the MLB with Marucci and Victus.
EXEC: Titleist Parent Easily Beats Q4 EPS Estimates as Sales Fall Short
Net loss attributable to Acushnet Holdings Corp. for the quarter was reported at $1.1 million, compared to $26.8 million for the same period in 2023.
EXEC: Target Inks Champion Distribution Deal with Authentic
Target called the program an “extensive line” featuring more than 500 pieces. It includes “stylish” apparel, accessories and slides as well as sporting goods, accessories and bags for adults and kids.
EXEC: Puma, Brooks Settle Lawsuit Over Running Shoe Patents, Trademark Infringement
Brooks Sports has agreed to settle litigation over claims that the company’s running shoes violated Puma’s patent and trademark rights.
