SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
Report: Nike to Delay Launch of NikeSkims
Reuters is reporting that Nike’s launch of its planned NikeSkims activewear brand in the U.S. has been delayed as the two companies work to get the product right, according to a company spokesperson.
EXEC: Nike Faces Needham Price Target Cut on Slow Recovery
Needham analysts trimmed their price target on Nike to $66 from $75 amid ongoing weakness in brand momentum and a slower-than-expected path to recovery. Needham’s Tom Nikic wrote, “NKE still faces headwinds from rationalizing over-supplied product franchises (Jordan, Dunk), brand heat still appears to be lukewarm, and they now have tariffs to contend with as well.”
EXEC: OIA Study Finds Outdoor Stores Still Missing Emerging Casual Consumers
At a session this week at Switchback Spring being held in Nashville, Kelly Davis, director of research at the Outdoor Industry Association, highlighted new consumer research that shows the outdoor space remains fixated on “Core” consumers at the expense of reaching the more “Active” and “Casual” participants.
EXEC: Bata Group Names Former Ecco CEO to Succeed Outgoing CEO Sandeep Kataria
Bata Group, the Swiss-based multinational footwear manufacturer and retailer, has appointed Panos Mytaros, formerly the CEO of Ecco, as its global CEO, effective September 15, 2025. He will succeed current CEO Sandeep Kataria as part of its succession plan.
EXEC: Academy’s Chief Merchant Talks Jordan Launch, Nike Brand Success, Tariff Disruption
Following the retailer’s first-quarter results report, Academy’s EVP and Chief Merchant Matt McCabe added more highlights from the business, including the promise to introduce the Jordan brand, a strong response to expanding Nike product and market share gains among higher-income households.
EXEC: Trump Announces U.S. and China Have Reached Trade Deal With 55 percent Tariff
President Donald Trump declared the trade war with China “done” Wednesday, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariffs on Chinese goods will be locked in at the current 55 percent rate without additional increases.
EXEC: Trump Tariffs Having Little Impact on Retail Footwear Prices
The May Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in cooler than expected, defying fears that the impact of President Trump’s tariffs would start to show a rise in prices. A separate analysis by the FDRA indicates that footwear prices in May likewise declined year-over-year.
EXEC: Academy CEO Sees Promising Returns from Improved Nike Allocations, Jordan Launch
First-quarter results missed analyst estimates and the retailer widened its full-year guidance due to potential inflationary pressures arriving this year. Management also shared many positive developments, including a healthy response to Nike product expansion and Jordan brand launch.
EXEC: Morgan Stanley Downgrades Lululemon on Weakening U.S. Growth Outlook
Morgan Stanley downgraded Lululemon Athletica to “Equal-weight” from “Overweight” on waning confidence in a recovery in the company’s core U.S. market.
EXEC Q&A: Dan Sheridan, CEO, Brooks Running
Sheridan, who was promoted to Brooks’ CEO last April, talks with SGB Executive about Brooks’ recent momentum, entry into lifestyle footwear category, the tariff playbook, as well as the health of the overall run industry.
EXEC: Lululemon Shares Hurt by Analyst Price Target Cuts
Shares of Lululemon Athletica Inc. are down about 20 percent in mid-day trading on Friday, June 6 after the yoga-themed retailer trimmed its earnings guidance for the year as proposed tariffs threaten its supply chain. Lululemon officials on an analyst call remained bullish on Lululemon’s ability to manage the disruption. Calvin McDonald, company CEO, said, “We intend to leverage our strong financial position and competitive advantages to play offense.”
EXEC: G-III Apparel Set for Fall Converse Apparel Launch; Shares Hit By Tariff Concerns
G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (GIII) share fell 19 percent on Friday, June 6 after the apparel giant withdrew its earnings guidance for the year due to “uncertainty around tariffs and related macroeconomic conditions.” G-III’s first quarter results still exceeded targets, led by double-digit growth at DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld and Donna Karan. The company also indicated […]
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Votes Upend XXL ASA General Meeting; CEO Freddy Sobin Ousted
Frasers Group plc, who was represented with 28,776,450 shares and votes, equal to approximately 96.5 percent of the shares and votes represented at the general meeting, may be responsible for moving the managing director of Frasers Group IBML into the XXL Interim CEO role.
EXEC: Hibbett Parent JD Sports Enters New Phase of U.S. Brand Consolidation
The owner of the City Gear, DTLR, Finish Line, JD and Shoe Palace retail brands in the U.S. market is ready to move to the next level in its retail brand consolidation here in the Colonies as DTLR and most City Gear stores will be merged under the DTLR brand.
EXEC: Kanaan Sellers Group Set to List on Nasdaq Nordic Market in Fourth Quarter
The European e-commerce aggregator is set to become Europe’s first publicly listed e-commerce aggregator, with a listing planned in Nasdaq’s Nordic market, targeting a valuation ~€40 million in early fourth quarter.
