SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
EXEC: Big 5 CEO Details Q1 Challenges; Offers Tepid Outlook for Near Term
The retailer has continued to feel the effects from the ongoing macro headwinds that are impacting consumer discretionary spending in the second quarter-to-date as same-store sales are running down despite a benefit from an extra day due to the Easter shift.
EXEC: Adidas Swings to Q1 Profit as DTC Drives Top-Line Growth
Footwear revenues grew 13 percent in Q1, said to be driven by the strong brand momentum, particularly in the Originals and Football categories, and Apparel sales were up 2 percent in the period. Accessories grew 1 percent.
EXEC: Kappa Retail Stores in China See Comp Sales Decline in Fiscal Q4
Same-store sales recorded a high-single-digit decline on a year-over-year basis for Kappa-branded stores that have been in operation since the beginning of the prior-year fourth quarter.
EXEC: Thule Gets Shot in the Arm from Resurgent Bike Business in Q1
In the Americas, the recovery of the cycling market boosted bike-related products sales, but Packs, Bags & Luggage category sales declined due to “significantly lower” sales of legacy products that are phasing out gradually.
EXEC: Columbia Using Temp Stores to Offload Excess Goods as it Fights to Right-Size
While the company is focused on improving the Columbia, Sorel and Prana businesses through investments in innovation and marketing, the company only has to look as far as its Mountain Hardwear brand and new leadership and direction to see early results of similar efforts.
EXEC: Mips Continues to Turn the Business Around in Q1 After Tough 2023
For the consecutive second quarter, Mips delivered growth in the Bike sub-category and has seen inventory levels of helmets with consumers and retailers returning to healthier levels.
EXEC: Ahead, Craft, Cutter & Buck Parent Sees Sales Decline Cut into Bottom Line
The Swedish-based owner of Ahead, Auclair, Craft, Cutter & Buck, and Tenson reported that first-quarter net sales decreased 7 percent to SEK 1.995 billion. Regionally, Central Europe, followed by the U.S., performed best in sales volume.
EXEC: Johnson Health Tech Retail Finalizes Bowflex Acquistion
Johnson Health Tech Retail intends to fold the existing BowFlex and Schwinn operations into its North American sporting goods/e-commerce group. The company reported that BowFlex will complement its team with experts from the BowFlex organization.
EXEC: Shimano Q1 Sales Down 20 Percent on Continued Bikes and Fishing Weakness
In this current macroeconomic environment, the company said demand for bikes and fishing tackle continued to be weak, and for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, net sales decreased 20.2 percent year-over-year to ¥100.5 billion.
Report: 17 Million Canadians Consider Themselves Fans of Women’s Sport
The first Canadian study highlights unique attributes of Canadian fans of women’s sport and the value fandom represents for sport business.
EXEC: Nike, Inc. Outlines Two-Phase Plan to Cut 740 Positions at Beaverton HQ
In a new WARN notice filing, Nike. Inc. said that a total of 740 positions would be permanently eliminated at the company’s Beaverton World Headquarters across two phases of layoffs, including the first phase in February of this year.
EXEC: Saucony, Merrell and K-Swiss China Retail Partner Sees Slower Q1 Growth
Xtep International had 110 Saucony-brand stores and four Merrell-brand stores operational in Mainland China at the end of 2023. The company boasted 101 K-Swiss stores in the Asia Pacific region at the end of the year, with 94 Palladium brand stores to end 2023.
StockX: Fakes Were 19 Percent of Rejected Sneakers Over Last 12 Months
In 2023 the company rejected over 325,000 products, collectively valued at over $82 million, because they did not meet StockX’s verification standards, with 19 percent of that total tagged as suspected fakes. Used products totaled 29 percent of rejects.
EXEC: Under Armour’s HR Chief and DEI Leader to Exit Company
Tchernavia Rocker’s departure represents the second female senior executive planning to exit the company in the last two months. Rocker joined UA in February 2019 as chief people and culture officer.
EXEC: Adidas Gets Another Yeezy Lift in Q1; Increases 2024 Guidance
Adidas now expects full-year 2024 currency-neutral revenues to increase at a mid- to high-single-digit rate in 2024, up from its previous forecast for a mid-single-digit increase. The latest Yeezy drop added revenues of around €150 million and an operating profit of around €50 million in the first quarter.
