SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
Zion Williamson Injury Puts Spotlight On Nike And College Hoops
A shoe malfunction that injured college basketball’s biggest star in the most-hyped game of the year sent Nike into full damage control mode and drove more debates on the risks of college athletics.
Wolverine’s Shares Sink On Cautious Guidance
Wolverine World Wide reported sales came in slightly below Wall Street’s expectations but are expected to accelerate to mid-single digit growth in the back half of 2019 due to an expected turnaround at Saucony and accelerated growth at Merrell and Sperry. EPS guidance for 2019, however, came in below expectations as the company plans to ramp up brand-building efforts this year.
SFIA: Sports Industry Facing Too Many Casual Participants
The annual SFIA Topline Participation Report found more Americans embracing healthy lifestyles in 2018, including notable gains in participation in a number of outdoor and fitness activities. But the study found tackle football participation taking another hit and overall gains being driven by casual rather than core participants.
SportChek Q4 Boosted By Owned-Brands Push
Canadian Tire Corp reported that its SportChek segment saw same-store sales climb 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, helped by a strong reception to its owned brands, Ripzone, Helly Hansen and Woods. Said Allan MacDonald, Canadia Tire’s EVP of retail, “I’m pleased that our owned brand strategy has now taken root at Sport Chek where we have to compete with some of the greatest brands in the world.”
Asics Resets Americas Team After Another Challenging Year
Following a year of double-digit declines, Asics America Group (AAG) reported that Koichiro Kodama will replace Gene McCarthy as CEO of the region in a broad management overhaul.
Puma’s Forecasts Double Digit Growth Again In 2019
Puma closed out its 70th year in business by seeing sales further accelerate in the fourth quarter, led by strength in Asia and North America. Another year of double-digit revenue growth and”significant” earnings gains was predicted for 2019.
Under Armour Struggles To Revive North America Growth
Under Armour Inc.’s fourth quarter came in better than expected in the fourth quarter due to strong growth internationally and fewer promotions. But sales in North America dropped 6 percent and a return to growth isn’t expected in the region until at least the second quarter. Patrik Frisk, president and COO, “When you’ve lost space on the shelf you got to earn it back and it takes a little bit of time.”
Retail Roundup … 7 Reports For February 2019
Retail studies arrived over the last two weeks around the state of influencer marketing, the link between inventory efficiencies and markdowns, turning one-and-dones into recurring customers, brands’ opportunities to “mend A divided nation,” and more…
Oppenheimer Sees Nike’s Shares Cracking $100
Oppenheimer in a note raised its price target on Nike to $100 from $90 due to greater confidence in the company’s ability to continue to improve margins.
Aisle Talk Week Of February 4
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including a number of former Cabela’s employees, led by Matt Highby, officially launching Highby Outdoors, an e-commerce site focusing on outdoor gear.
Transformation Efforts Pay Dividends For Amer Sports In 2018
Amer Sports, which is close to completing its mega-merger with China’s Anta Sports, reported a “solid” fourth quarter with slightly lower earnings but improving sales momentum. The gains were led by its Arc’teryx and Peak Performance apparel brands, strong DTC growth, and accelerated growth in China and the U.S.
Callaway Golf Teeing Up Jack Wolfskin Strategy
Solid performance across Callaway Golf Co.’s core golf business led to impressive revenue growth in 2018, and now the company is banking on a new division—Jack Wolfskin, which Callaway just acquired—to become an integral asset. For the full year of 2018, Callaway’s net sales increased $194 million, or 19 percent, to $1.2 billion, reflecting increases in each of the company’s operating segments and in each reporting region.
Champion Soars Again In Q4
HanesBrands Inc. said its Champion business, excluding the C9 line being phased out at Target, catapulted 50 percent in the fourth quarter, reached $1.36 billion in the full year, and is well on track to hit $2 billion in annual sales by 2022.
January M&A Roundup: Media Companies Make News As Landscape Shifts
Consumer and trade publications are accustomed to reporting news, but in January companies in the active lifestyle and action sports media made news through a host of acquisitions that could drastically affect industry coverage moving forward.
Delta Apparel Sees Double-Digit Growth In Q1
Delta Apparel said robust growth for its Salt Life brand and digital print business, DTG2Go, drove a 12.5 percent climb in sales in the first quarter ended December 29, along with a spike in profitability excluding non-recurring items. Improving sales at Soffe and continued strength in fashion basics in its activewear business also supported the gains.
