EXEC: William Blair Tackles Tariff Realties in Latest Management Survey
Blair said that for now, the best solution seems to be a well-diversified supply chain across multiple jurisdictions, potentially with built-in redundancies to allow for nimbleness.
Nike, Inc. Sued Over NFT Investor Losses Incurred After Closure of RTFKT Unit
The company is now being sued by purchasers of NFTs (non-funglible tokens) that originated with Nike’s December 2021 acquisition of the RTFKT, a virtual sneaker design company and studio for NFTs.
EXEC: Woom Boasts 40 Percent Premium Bike Sales Growth in Q1
Kasper Rørsted, the former Adidas CEO and chair of the Board at Woom, is now helming a growth company boasting double-digit growth in established countries and 50 percent growth in the Nordic countries, the UK and the Benelux.
EXEC: Mips AB Sees Strong Growth Continue in Q1; Sports Helmets Up 40 Percent
The helmet technology company delivered growth in the Bike sub-category, Mips’ largest sub-category, for the sixth quarter in a row. The company also saw continued growth in the Snow sub-category despite a relatively weak winter season in several geographies.
EXEC: Osprey Grows, Hydro Flask Falters in Q4; Parent to Pause China Goods
CFO Brian Grass said the company is pausing all China purchases in the short term with a few exceptions and expects over 60 percent of U.S.-bound goods to be sourced outside China by the end of fiscal 2027.
EXEC: Shimano Posts Solid Q1 Results, Led by DD Growth in Bicycle Components
North American market retail sales of completed bicycles remained weak, but market inventories were said to return to “appropriate levels.” In fishing tackle, North American market sales were flattish to Q1 2024 due to unfavorable weather.
EXEC: NYSE Hits Solo Brands with Trading Suspension
The company reported in a Form 8-K report that it expects Class A Common Stock to be quoted for trading on the OTC Pink Market. Solo Brands noted that the transition to the OTC Pink Market will not affect the company’s business operations, relationships with partners, suppliers, employees, or its SEC reporting obligations.
EXEC: Adidas Brand Posts 17 Percent Sales Gain in Q1 Excluding FX Shifts
Excluding Yeezy sales in the prior year, currency-neutral revenues for the Adidas brand increased 17 percent y/y for the quarter, driven by double-digit y/y growth across all markets and channels.
EXEC: Head Group Set to Acquire Aqualung Group in Move to Dominate Dive Market
Victor Vadaneaux has been appointed CEO of Aqualung Group to ensure a smooth transition and integration. He has been a member of the group’s Supervisory Board and an advisor to the company since 2024.
EXEC: Wall Street Reacts to Tariff News but Port Traffic Decline May Reflect a Sad Reality
The Dow and the S&P 500 both bounced on April 22 after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump’s primary negotiator on tariff deals, said that he believes the Administration’s ongoing tariff war with China will de-escalate soon because the rift is not sustainable.
EXEC: Thule, Inc. Files Warn Notice to Eliminate 22 Positions in Colorado
The Sweden-based maker of rack systems and bags for active lifestyle activities indicated in its WARN Notice filing that the reason for the 22 terminations was “closure.”
EXEC: Rhone Takes Unique Approach to Engaging with Customers Over Tariff Issue
Rather than the possibility of dropping tariffs on customers down the road the company lays out expectations and engages with them. And if you sell a few more shirts, shorts and pants along the way, so much the better.
EXEC: Analysts Make Tariff Impact Calls on Footwear and Apparel Stocks
Those experiencing price target cuts included Birkenstock, Crocs, Inc., Foot Locker, Nike, On Holding, Skechers, VF Corp., and Wolverine World Wide. Some of those hit hardest included Boot Barn, Deckers and Under Armour.
EXEC: Largest Asia FW Factory Warns on Q1 Profit Decline as Margins Shrink
The expected decrease in profit for the quarter was reported to be mainly attributable to the negative impact on gross margin due to “an increase in unit costs for footwear manufacturing, amid a volatile operating environment led by a complex and dynamic global economic landscape.”
EXEC: Saucony Brand Exceeds 40 Percent Q1 Retail Growth in China
MS (China) Sports Company Limited, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Xtep International Holdings Limited, operates under licensing and royalty agreements for the Merrell and Saucony brands and subsidiaries in China.
