SGB Executive

LifeLabs recently introduced a thermally-efficient material. The company’s CEO, industry-veteran Scott Mellin, who drove the development of Futurelight product as global GM of The North Face’s Mountain Sports division, spoke about its thermal regulating properties with SGB Executive.

Newell Brands’ Outdoor & Recreation segment delivered modest revenue growth in the third quarter as strength at Coleman and Contigo helped offset challenging year-ago comparisons. Newell officials remain confident heightened interest in outdoor activities coming out of the pandemic will continue to be a tailwind.

Compass Diversified (CODI) reported BOA and Marucci Sports banged out strong double-digit gains in the third quarter. Velocity Outdoor’s sales were up 8.9 percent, while 5.11, which confidentially filed for an IPO, saw 12.9 percent growth.

Skechers USA reported strong earnings and sales gains in the third quarter but delays tied to supply chain constraints caused both to come in below guidance and the company’s outlook was slightly reduced for the full year. Skechers officials see the logistics challenges easing somewhat and remained upbeat on holiday selling.

Deckers Brands reported sales and earnings missed Wall Street’s targets in its fiscal second quarter ended September 30 as numerous supply chain challenges slowed Ugg’s growth in the quarter. However, the company still maintained its revenue outlook for the full year, driven by its projected 50-plus percent growth at Hoka One One.

After notching a strong second-quarter performance tied to the company’s ability to ship Q3 orders early for retailers Columbia Sportswear found itself on the deficit end of the supply chain issues impacting most companies in the third quarter.

With the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show scheduled to take place January 26-28, 2022, SIA’s President Nick Sargent and Emerald Expositions CEO Hervé Sedky hosted a webinar late this month related to the show’s evolution.

Boot Barn’s momentum continued in the second quarter ended September 28 with sales ahead running up 69.5 percent against the year-ago period and 67.1 percent against the 2019 quarter. Jim Conroy, president and CEO, attributed much of the gains to new customer acquisitions that benefited from a combination of operational strategies, marketing, aggressive inventory procurement and fashion trends.

SGB Executive spoke with C4 Waterman’s Vice President Bill Kueper to hear how its DTC model is working, which led to a conversation about other issues plaguing the once-thriving SUP category.

Puma SE lifted its sales and earnings outlook for the second quarter in a row despite the warning of shortages due to supply chain constraints. Sales continued to expand strongly in the third quarter, paced by the Americas and EMEA region.

Garmin Ltd. raised its guidance for the second consecutive quarter as third-quarter results topped Wall Street targets due to outperformance by its Marine and Aviation segments. CEO Cliff Pemble said, “Our vertically integrated business model and commitment to safety stock was a key factor driving revenue growth for the quarter. But supplies are tight and we expect freight costs to remain elevated as we rush to fill retail shelves in time for the important holiday selling season.”

The NPD Group reported total U.S. performance footwear sales grew 15 percent in the third quarter while leisure footwear sales climbed at a slightly lower rate. Fashion footwear sales continued to underperform, decreasing high-single-digits.

Winchester’s sales grew 93.8 percent in the third quarter to $400 million from $206.4 million in the year-ago third quarter, boosted by strong hunting demand stemming from the pandemic experience.

Wall Street generally remained upbeat about VF Corp.’s prospects despite the company’s reported earnings and sales in its second quarter ended October 2 coming in slightly below consensus targets. Concerns include reigniting growth in China and Vans’ overall momentum.

VF Corp. said the wide majority of its brand portfolio performed at or above expectations in the second quarter ended October 2, including outsized gains at The North Face, Dickies and Timberland. Earnings and sales, however, were slightly below analyst targets due to the continued underperformance at Vans, its largest brand, as well as supply chain challenges.