SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
How To Navigate The Trade War
Companies that are subject to new tariffs on Chinese-made products might be able to mitigate some or all of the financial impact, according to David Cohen, a Washington, DC-based international trade lawyer, who spoke at the recent SFIA Industry Leaders Summit. “You’re not sitting ducks. There are ways, there are countermeasures, that companies can take.”
Community Engagement Pays Off
Whether its coaches for BSN Sports, runners for Fleet Feet or the local Latino community for WSS, the benefits of engaging communities was spelled out loudly at a session featuring a number of retailers at the SFIA’s recent Industry Leaders Summit in Denver. The challenges in driving consistent engagement were also heard.
Q&A With Meridith Unger Of SFIA Start-Up Challenge Winner Nix Biosensors
Nix Biosensors was the winner of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s third annual Start-Up Challenge, held at last week’s Industry Leaders Summit in Denver, CO. Meridith Unger, founder and CEO of the Boston, MA-based company, spoke with SGB about what this award means for the business moving forward.
Aisle Talk Week of October 1
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including BSN Sports, a division of Varsity Brands and the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets, completing its acquisition of Port Jeff Sporting Goods (pictured).
College Basketball Scandal Spreads
In opening statements in the first trial tied to the FBI’s investigation into corruption throughout college basketball, a lawyer representing James Gatto, Adidas’ former director of global sports marketing, asserted that her client’s payments to the families of top high school basketball recruits were only made to compete with similar payments being made by Nike and Under Armour.
5 Takeaways From SFIA’s Industry Leaders Summit
Executives from leading sports, fitness and active lifestyle companies descended on Denver, CO, last week for the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s sixth annual Industry Leaders Summit. Here are five takeaways from the event, including how to mitigate tariffs, what’s driving M&A and the growing importance of culture.
Relief Over Recast NAFTA Deal
With fears over the arrangement being scrapped entirely, relief arrived after the U.S., and Canada came to a last-minute agreement on a revised trade deal that could replace NAFTA. While the dairy and auto industries will face some changes, the impact on the apparel and footwear sectors appears negligible.
SGB Executive Q&A: Hibbett Execs Discuss Latest Digital Initiative
The leadership team at Hibbett Sporting Goods Inc. readily acknowledges that the Birmingham, AL-based retailer has been behind the curve on digital capabilities, but Monday’s launch of new online features—Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS) and Reserve Online, Pick Up in Store (ROPIS)—is another step in Hibbett’s plan to close the gap on its competitors.
Aisle Talk Week of September 24
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Amazon opening Amazon 4-star, a new physical store where everything for sale is rated four stars and above, is a top seller or is new and trending on Amazon.com.
Active-Lifestyle Well Represented On The Inc. 5000
Peloton, Bombas, Klymit, Xero Shoes and Hyperice were among a number of companies in the active-lifestyle space landing on The Inc. 5000, the magazine’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
Wall Street Bullish On Nike Following Q1 Beat
While shares of Nike Inc. dipped slightly Wednesday after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings, bullish reports arrived from Wall Street touting Nike’s innovation platforms and accelerated growth in North America.
Innovation Fueling Broad-Based Momentum For Nike
While Nike Digital led the way with a 34 percent gain on a currency-neutral in the first quarter, Nike Brand’s amplified focus on innovation is “at the heart of our continued momentum right now,” Mark Parker, CEO, said on the company’s conference call with analysts.
North America Growth Accelerates For Nike
An acceleration of growth in North America, double-digit gains overseas, and continued over-sized online gains drove Nike Inc.’s earnings ahead 14.9 percent in the first quarter ended August 31–exceeding internal expectations and Wall Street’s targets. Revenues grew 9 percent on a currency-neutral basis.
The Tiger Effect: Woods’ Victory Boosts All Golf Stakeholders
When Tiger Woods won his first PGA title in five years Sunday by clinching the Tour Championship, the golf industry roared a collective “hurrah” at Woods’ victory, fully understanding that whenever Tiger makes a tournament cut and dons his signature red shirt for the Sunday round—but especially when he wins—everyone benefits.
Stifel’s Inaugural Athletic Survey Shows Positive Spending Intentions
Stifel’s inaugural Athletic Apparel and Footwear Consumer Survey points to higher spending intentions for both athletic apparel and footwear in the next six months. Nike not surprisingly ranked as the preferred athletic brand across footwear and apparel categories but Under Armour, Adidas, Champion, New Balance, Vans, The North Face and Skechers are all resonating with key constituencies.
