SGB Executive

On its first-quarter conference call, Canada Goose officials discussed the company’s strong digital momentum, the benefits Canadian manufacturing is providing amid the ongoing supply chain disruption and its confidence in its move to end the use of fur in its products.

In July, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the addition of Ski Mountaineering (Skimo) to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. SGB Executive touched base with a few industry players in the category to see what it could spell for the burgeoning backcountry market, a sector already growing before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Callaway Golf Co.’s sales catapulted 208 percent in the second quarter, boosted by the addition of Topgolf and a nearly doubling of golf equipment and soft goods revenue as the sport of golf shows little sign of losing momentum. Chip Brewer, president and CEO, said beyond the many new entrants due to the pandemic, core golfers are “playing more than ever and showing strong enthusiasm for the game.”

Boosted by strong demand for its connected fitness offerings, Nautilus Inc.’s earnings and sales in its first quarter ended June 30 came in well ahead of guidance, but officials warned that higher commodity prices and transportation costs could weigh on margins over the next few quarters.

Johnson Outdoors reported sales ran up 54 percent year-over-year in the third quarter ended July 2, led by near double-digit gains in Camping and Dive segments. Investments are being made in air freight to help offset supply chain disruptions.

Delta Apparel Inc. reported sales jumped 65.3 percent in the third quarter ended July 3 to $118.7 million. Sales were relatively flat against 2019 third-quarter levels as a 36 percent increase at the Salt Life Group segment helped offset a 5 percent decline in the Delta Group segment. The sales performance was in line with an update provided in mid-July.

Fox Factory Holding Corp. said its Specialty Sports Group (SSG), its cycling component division, soared 64 percent in the second quarter despite continuing supply chain constraints. Fox officials estimated it would still take 8-to-10 months to match the current customer demand level and another 12-to-18 months to refurnish depleted inventory channels.

On its second-quarter conference call, Tom Florsheim, Weyco Group’s chairman and CEO, said Bogs “had an excellent spring” while warning that supply chain disruptions could restrain growth across its second half. Florsheim also sees strong growth potential for its just-acquired outdoor footwear brand, Forsake.

Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist, significantly lifted its guidance for the year after reporting another blowout quarter. The improved outlook comes despite the company facing raw material constraints and production challenges tied to recent spikes in COVID-19 cases.

Dorel Industries Inc. reported that its Dorel Sports segments delivered growth of 11.1 percent in the second quarter. Martin Schwartz, Dorel’s president and CEO, said on a quarterly analyst call, “Demand for bikes showed no signs of slowing and Cannondale’s models remain extremely popular.”

Hanesbrands Inc. said Champion continued to regain its momentum in the second quarter since taking a hit in the early months of the pandemic’s emergence and is now delivering double-digit gains against the second quarter of 2019. The brand is also making progress under Hanesbrands’ Full Potential plan to become a $3 billion brand.

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. President and CEO Chris Killoy cited strong consumer demand for Ruger products, increases in production for each of the past seven quarters and the introduction of new products that have been met with strong consumer demand as reasons why the company’s net sales growth exceeded 50 percent for the first half of the year.

Adidas increased its outlook for the year as its business recovers nicely outside of Greater China, where some consumers have boycotted the brand over its stance against alleged human rights abuses. Adidas also announced that Rupert Campbell, currently managing director in Russia, will succeed Zion Armstrong as president of the North American business at the close of this year.

Led by strong DTC sales, a rebound at wholesale and a more than three-fold gain in its international business, Yeti reported sales in the second quarter climbed 44.9 percent. The strong results prompted the drinkware and cooler brand to raise earnings and sales guidance for the year.

On a conference call with analysts discussing the Sweaty Betty acquisition, Wolverine Worldwide officials said the U.K-based women’s activewear brand is expected to help Wolverine’s own brands, including Saucony and Merrell, to further expand in apparel and across digital channels. However, the biggest opportunity it sees is tapping into the growth potential of Sweaty Betty and the overall women’s activewear market.