
EXEC: Liberated Brands Gets Bankruptcy Court Approval to Access DIP Funds
The former licensing company set up to manage Authentic Brands Group’s collection of action sports lifestyle brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday with $3.3 million in cash on hand and $226 million in debt, according to court filings.

EXEC: Columbia Sportswear Shares Fall on Q4 EPS Miss and Tepid Q1 Forecast
Net sales increased 3 percent to $1.10 billion in the fourth quarter. First quarter net sales are expected to range between $749 million and $764 million, representing a decline of 3 percent to 1 percent from $770 million for the comparable Q1 period in 2024.

EXEC: JD Group Appoints Jared Briskin as CEO of Hibbett
Hibbett was acquired by global active lifestyle retail behemoth JD Group in July 2024. Briskin, who had been serving as EVP of Merchandising at the time of the sale, was promoted to COO after the sale closed and added the President title shortly thereafter.

EXEC: Revo Launches New Australia-Based Joint Venture for APAC Region
This new entity will oversee all sales and customer care for the APAC region, with a focus on establishing Revo as a top choice for consumers in Australia and Southeast Asia.

EXEC: Smith Optics Returned to Growth in Q4, Boosted by DTC Business
Safilo Group S.p.A., the owner of Smith Optics and Blenders and licensee of the Under Armour, Fossil, Havaianas, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, and Liz Claiborne brands for eyewear, saw preliminary sales for 2024 decline 2.3 percent to €993.2 million.

EXEC: Liberated Brands Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
Liberated Brands LLC, the former licensing arm for Authentic Brands Group’s collection of action sports lifestyle brands, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

EXEC: Descente, Ltd. De-Lists Common Shares from the Tokyo Stock Exchange
The company called an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting for December 25, 2024, and offered a proposal regarding a share consolidation that was approved as proposed by the company’s shareholders. As a result, the company’s shares were delisted.

EXEC: Boot Barn Raises Fiscal 2025 Guide After Strong Holiday Season
Consolidated same-store sales increased 8.6 percent, with retail store same-store sales increasing 8.2 percent and e-commerce same-store sales increasing 11.1 percent.

EXEC: Hoka Growth Trend Concerns Sends Deckers Brands Shares Down Double Digits
Net sales increased 17.1 percent to $1.83 billion compared to $1.56 billion in the prior-year Q3 period. On a constant-currency (cc) basis, net sales increased 16.6 percent. Analysts were expecting growth of 11.6 percent, a clear beat.

EXEC:Beyond Yoga Parent Sees Active Athleisure Brand as Billion-Dollar Bet
Levi’s CEO said the company is excited to open its first Beyond Yoga East Coast store in Connecticut later this year and remain confident about the prospects for Beyond Yoga to one day become a billion-dollar brand.

EXEC: Inside the Improving Vans Performance and Turnaround Story
Sharp declines in Asia heavily impacted the 8 percent decline for the Vans brand in Q3 but also represented an improvement against the year-to-date period that saw reported sales down 13 percent in constant-currency terms.

EXEC: VF Corp. CEO Hints at More Cuts Ahead While Improving Processes
Bracken Darrell said the company is already working on process and organizational changes that will contribute to unlocking another $500 million to $600 million in operating income expansion, with half of that coming from SG&A expenses alone.

EXEC: VF Corp. Sees Global Strength From TNF and Timberland; Vans Improves
The parent of the Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Smartwool, Jansport and Dickies active lifestyle and street lifestyle brands, reported Wednesday that it beat third-quarter revenue and profit estimates.

EXEC: Dr. Martens Sees U.S. Focus Get Lift from DTC Efforts
Third quarter group revenue was reported at £260 million, a 3 percent decline year-over-year. Revenues declined 3 percent on a constant-currency (CC) basis to £267 million.

EXEC: Golden Goose Group Snags Minority Investment from Hong Kong Firm
The transaction with Blue Pool Capital, which was negotiated and agreed shortly after the Group’s decision to postpone its planned IPO in June 2024, was completed on January 28, 2025.