SGB Executive Sports & Fitness

EXEC: Deloitte Study Find Sports Fandom Getting More Immersive

Deloitte’s inaugural study, 2023 Sports Fan Insights: The Beginning Of The Immersive Sports Era, found that despite concerns over past pandemic-driven closures of live sporting events, today’s sports fans remain strong, with younger fans craving spectator sports experiences.

Report: Asics Cutting Ties with Smaller U.K. Specialty Retailers

Independent sports retailers in the U.K. are reportedly reeling from a move Asics Corp. is making to narrow its distribution in the region. In a recent article published by The Guardian, Asics was said to be “cutting off supply to hundreds of small U.K. outlets…”

Yue Yuen Manufacturing Business Revenues Falls 10.8 Percent In May

Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Limited, a subsidiary of Pou Chen Corporation that manufactures a large percentage of global athletic and outdoor footwear, reported that its net consolidated operating revenue for May was $701.0 million against $758.0 million a year ago, a 7.8 percent decline versus the year-ago month.

Vittoria Industries To Move North America Headquarters To Bentonville

Vittoria Industries North America is moving its headquarters from Oklahoma City to Bentonville, AK taking space in the Ledger, a new six-story building downtown, providing employees with a bike-friendly facility. The move is expected to take place in December 2022.

SGB Media Reports Top Stories Of 2020

SGB Media has reported its Top 20 stories read online in 2020, with the Bass Pro acquisition of Sportsman’s Warehouse and related stories leading the charts. Overall, the SGBonline.com web site had a banner year in readership, recording over 2.5 million page views, a 20 percent increase over 2019.

Inside The Call: Puma’s Sales Rebound in Q3

Puma’s revenues recovered after posting a decline in the second quarter due to COVID-19 restrictions, climbing 13.3 percent on a currency-neutral basis. The gains were led by the Americas, up 20.7 percent on a currency-neutral basis; and EMEA, ahead 17.7 percent.

Trade War Impact Remains Uncertain

On quarterly conference calls last week, executives at both retailers and vendors said the ultimate impact of the tariff war isn’t clearly known, especially if the fourth tranche on $300 billion of imports that hit apparel and footwear items becomes effective. But most reassured analysts they’re taking or have taken steps to mitigate most of the expected damage. Comments from VF Corp, Deckers Brands, Kohl’s, JC Penney, Target, Hibbett Sports, TJX Cos. and Ross Stores.

How Asics Plans To Regain Its Stride In Run

Following 13 consecutive quarters of declines, Asics returned to growth in North America in the first quarter, led by the Performance Running category’s return to positive growth. In an interview with SGB Executtive, Richard Sullivan, EVP of sales, categories and marketing, Asics North America, discusses the reason Asics returned as title sponsor of the Los Angeles Marathon and its strategies for regaining its leadership positioning in the run category.

Cause Marketing Platforms Not Breaking Through With Gen Z

Several brands in the active lifestyle space, including Patagonia, Nike and Toms, are being recognized for their purpose-driven ethos and related cause-marketing efforts according to an extensive study from DoSomething.org. But the study still found it’s not easy to break through and create belief among consumers.

Cannondale Driving Rebound For Dorel Sports

Dorel Industries said its Dorel Sports’ segment showed some recovery in the first quarter. Growth at Cycling Sports Group (CSG), led by Cannondale, helped offset continued pressures at the mass channel. Said Martin Schwartz, Dorel’s CEO, “We’re excited about prospects with the Cannondale line demonstrating excellent momentum.”

Sequential Brands’ Active Portfolio Gains Further Traction In Q1

Sequential Brands Group Inc. reported first-quarter earnings on an adjusted basis came in below plan due to transition challenges of licensing agreements at its Fashion segment. The company’s Active brands, led by Gaiam, And1 and Avia, continue to see strong growth

Delta Apparel Q2 Boosted By Triple-Digit Growth In Digital Printing

Delta Apparel’s profits in its second quarter ended March 30 were pulled by many expected and some unexpected cost pressures. Sales managed to increase almost 3 percent as continued momentum at DTG2Go offset weather-related sales declines at Salt Life and Soffe.