SGB Executive Sports & Fitness

EXEC: TAF Parent Completes Acquisition of Germany-Based Lloyd Shoes
Arklyz owns The Athlete’s Foot, Asphaltgold, Intersocks, Arkrod, and several global licenses or wholesale distribution for Salomon, Head, Nordica, Mammut, Crocs, Adidas, HeyDude, and others.

REI Chicago Union Workers Disrupt Anniversary Sale, Walk Off Job
REI Union Chicago workers walked off the job this on Saturday May 18, during the retailer’s annual Anniversary Sale, demanding the retailer reach a “fair contract” by the end of 2024.

EXEC: Tom Cove to Retire from SFIA Leadership Post in October
Always the gentleman, always understated and always a class act, Tom Cove let slip this week that he will retire from his leadership role at the SFIA, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, formerly SGMA, in the fall.

EXEC: Is Adidas Killing the Golden Goose?
This week, the headlines in the sneaker world were filled with a billboard proclaiming, “Adidas Plans Cheaper Versions of Popular Shoes Like the Samba” and outrage from sneaker aficionados that the brand would dare step on the toes of its iconic shoe.

EXEC: CEO Kevin Plank Outlines Dramatic Turnaround Plan for Under Armour
With some apparent aggravation on what the brand has become, Plank noted that Under Armour has become a brand that competes primarily on price versus what should be its core competency—performance and technical innovation.

EXEC: Descente Ltd. Fiscal Year Profits Increase in Double Digits on Solid Sales Growth
Net sales for the fiscal year increased 5.3 percent to ¥127.0 billion reportedly due primarily to growth in DTC net sales that expanded the channel composition ratio, sales growth in South Korea, and China’s incorporation of Le Coq Sportif Co., Ltd. into consolidated results from the previous fourth quarter.

EXEC: Industry Organizations Push Back on Biden Administration’s Tariff Decisions
The decision to maintain Section 301 China tariffs and implement new tariffs has U.S. retail and brand companies up in arms over the decision released this week by the Biden administration.

EXEC: Fila Holdings Gets Q1 Lift from Fila USA, Acushnet to Offset Fila Korea Slump
Fila USA revenues saw a bit of a turnaround in the quarter, which covers the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with sales jumping 7.4 percent in US dollar terms to $64.7 million, after falling 46.4 percent in the year-ago Q1 period.

EXEC: On Holding Shares Hit 52-Week Highs as Q1 Results, DTC Gains Please the Street
In comparison to the prior-year period that was elevated as a result of the initial selling into some of our key accounts, net sales in the Americas region grew 22 percent year-over-year with constant-currency growth of 30.4 percent for the quarter.

EXEC: Mizuno Posts Strong Profit Growth for Fiscal Year on Sales Growth in All Regions
The company reported net sales were ¥229.7 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31. 2924, up 8.3 percent year-over-year. Profit attributable to owners of parent was ¥14.3 billion, up 44.4 percent versus the prior fiscal year.

EXEC: Leatt Posts Another DD Decline in Q1 as Body Armor and Helmets Sales Falter
Sales to the company’s global distributors decreased by 31 percent as distributors continue to manage industry-wide stocking dynamics, while consumer direct sales increased by 15 percent and dealer direct sales increased by 9 percent in Q1.

EXEC: Key Footwear Factory Report Sees Flat Q1 and Unsettled Market for 2024
The Group believes the global footwear industry will remain unsettled in the near term amidst the uncertain macroeconomic environment driven by persistent inflation, high interest rates, regional conflicts, and its impact on shipping lanes.

EXEC: Asics Corp Boasts Record Profit Margins in Q1 as All Regions Post Growth
Reported net sales growth of 21.9 percent, or 14.3 percent in constant-currency (CC) terms, to ¥174.1 billion in the quarter, led by double-digit CC sales growth in Japan, South & Southeast Asia, Greater China and the North America.

EXEC: Xtep Intl Divests K-Swiss Brand to Focus on Merrell and Saucony in China
The move is designed to carve out the consistently underperforming segment from Xtep’s portfolio, allowing the company to concentrate its resources on developing its highly profitable brands – core Xtep brand, Saucony, and Merrell.

EXEC: Vista Outdoor Sees Another Tough Year Ahead
Vista Outdoor, Inc.’s fourth-quarter results met expectations with sales at its Kinetic Group ammunition segment reaching the lower end of guidance while the Revelyst outdoor segment grew organically for the first time in nine quarters. However, conservative guidance was provided for the new fiscal year as market conditions in both the hunt and outdoor channel remain challenging.