SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
EXEC: Brooks Running Boasts Strong Q1 Gains in Int’l Markets and U.S. Run Specialty
The company did not provide growth trends or volume for U.S. national retailers although it did provide select market research data for the channel. That channel is heavily dominated by On and Hoka in the current environment. A push in lifestyle may give Brooks, like Asics last year, a solid re-positioning in the channel.
Report: Sports & Fitness Manufacturers’ Sales Growth Moderated in 2024
SFIA’s latest report found that some key categories, including martial arts gear, tennis balls, pickleball racquets and outdoor/adventure footwear, delivered double-digit growth in 2024 while sales across various categories remained far above pre-pandemic levels.
EXEC: Gymshark to Restructure, Causing Hundreds of Position Cuts and Adds
After reporting that earnings in its latest year had declined due to omnichannel investments and is facing “intense macro-economic volatility” in the marketplace, Gymshark reported it is restructuring the company.
EXEC: Adidas CEO Clarifies U.S. Pricing Position; Will Wait for Competitors’ Moves
On Adidas’ first-quarter analyst call, Bjørn Gulden CEO, said Adidas hasn’t yet raised prices on U.S. products due to the U.S. tariffs but expects to should the tariffs remain and only after other brands raise prices. He said, “I have seen that certain press is writing that Adidas is raising prices. That is, of course, not true.”
EXEC: Big 5 CEO Expects Little Near-Term Tariff Impact Due to Early Q2 Receipts
Second quarter-to-date sales are reportedly down in the high-single-digit range, in part reflecting an approximate negative 400 basis point impact from one less sales day in the period-to-date due to the Easter calendar shift.
EXEC: Nordic SG Retailer XXL Returns to Growth in Q1 Despite Weather Issues
The general availability of products improved in the quarter, said to be driven by increased quantities of products on lower price points, especially within Private Label. The inventory was stable in value at quarter-end.
EXEC: Sebago Parent BasicNet Sees Slight Revenue Decline in Q1
The Turin, Italy-based parent of the Kappa, Robe di Kappa, K-Way, Superga, Briko Jesus Jeans, Sabelt, and Sebago brands reported Q1 consolidated revenues were €98.3 million, down 3.3 percent from €101.6 million a year ago.
EXEC: Li Ning Posts Low-Single-Digit Retail Sales Gain in First Quarter
Li Ning Company, Ltd. reported that retail sell-through for the first quarter for Li-Ning POS, excluding Li-Ning Young, increased in the low-single digits year over year.
EXEC: William Blair Tackles Tariff Realties in Latest Management Survey
Blair said that for now, the best solution seems to be a well-diversified supply chain across multiple jurisdictions, potentially with built-in redundancies to allow for nimbleness.
Nike, Inc. Sued Over NFT Investor Losses Incurred After Closure of RTFKT Unit
The company is now being sued by purchasers of NFTs (non-funglible tokens) that originated with Nike’s December 2021 acquisition of the RTFKT, a virtual sneaker design company and studio for NFTs.
EXEC: Osprey Grows, Hydro Flask Falters in Q4; Parent to Pause China Goods
CFO Brian Grass said the company is pausing all China purchases in the short term with a few exceptions and expects over 60 percent of U.S.-bound goods to be sourced outside China by the end of fiscal 2027.
EXEC: Adidas Brand Posts 17 Percent Sales Gain in Q1 Excluding FX Shifts
Excluding Yeezy sales in the prior year, currency-neutral revenues for the Adidas brand increased 17 percent y/y for the quarter, driven by double-digit y/y growth across all markets and channels.
EXEC: Wall Street Reacts to Tariff News but Port Traffic Decline May Reflect a Sad Reality
The Dow and the S&P 500 both bounced on April 22 after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump’s primary negotiator on tariff deals, said that he believes the Administration’s ongoing tariff war with China will de-escalate soon because the rift is not sustainable.
EXEC: Sports Direct Inks Retail Agreement to Expand in Australia and New Zealand
Accent Group plans to build a large Sports Direct business in Australia with an initial rollout of at least 50 Sports Direct stores plus online targeted over the first six years.
UPDATED: NFL and NFLPA Helmet Lab Testing Results by Brand and Model
Notably, the NFL said the lab testing results are supported by recent on-field data — players who wore top-performing helmets had a substantially lower rate of concussions than players wearing lesser-performing helmets.
