SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
Fleet Feet Event Showcases ‘Resurgence’ Of Run Specialty
Dozens of brands in the running footwear, apparel and accessory categories descended on Fleet Feet’s National Franchise conference this week, and while the primary goal was exhibiting their latest product offerings, they also delivered a simple yet powerful message for the industry about the Run Speciality channel.
American Outdoor Brands Sees Firearms Weakness Continuing
American Outdoor Brands, the parent of Smith & Wesson, closed a challenging year by reporting a sales drop of 24.9 percent in its fourth quarter ended April 30 while projecting flat earnings on a slight decline in sales for its current fiscal year.
Varsity Brands Finds Bigger Growth Partner In Bain Capital
“Bain, in our view, is one of the most prestigious and well-known investment firms in the world,” Adam Blumenfeld, CEO of Varsity Brands, told SGB. “Their desire to invest alongside management, and build upon the incredible work that Charlesbank started, and in many cases completed, with management, is continued affirmation and faith in our vision.”
CrossFit Battles Reebok In Court
Taking the company’s high-intensity workout approach to court, CrossFit claims in the company’s lawsuit against Reebok that the company is owed “at least $4.8 billion,” plus potentially more for underpaying marketing obligations and diverting sales to reebok.com to also reduce royalty payouts.
The Long And Winding Road To Perry Ellis Going Private
For the last few months, Perry Ellis International’s largest shareholder, George Feldenkreis, and the company he founded could sum up their relationship with a familiar social media saying: “It’s complicated.” But the complication appears to have been cleared up, at least for now.
Iconix’s CEO Exits Amid Proxy Battle
Iconix Brands Group said John Haugh has resigned as CEO, president and a board member. The exit comes 17 days after Sports Direct said the company planned to nominate four members to Iconix’ board after vexing about the loss of major direct-to-consumer license agreements for Starter, Danskin, Ocean Pacific and Mossimo.
Retail Report Roundup – June 18
Studies arrived last week on the growth of customization in footwear and apparel, omnichannel order tracking, online-ad spam, mobile pay, the important of brand’s values and retailers paying off hackers.
Aisle Talk Week of June 11
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Eddie Bauer and PacSun combining under a new operating company.
Eric Sprunk Discusses Nike’s Sustainability Journey
Speaking recently at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, Nike Inc.’s COO Eric Sprunk said Nike now knows “sustainability drives innovation and improves the performance of everything we make.” But he spent a large chunk of his keynote session discussing the brand’s shortfalls in the past and its long “journey” to embracing that mindset.
Sweet Spot: Golf’s Evolution Striking Right Balance
In this first of a two-part series on the state of the golf industry, SGB looks at the sport’s participation levels and how associations, private companies, grassroots organizations and local course operators are working to ensure golf continues its current rebound by addressing the needs of core players while also attracting the next generation.
Aisle Talk Week of June 4
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Winnebago acquiring boat manufacturer Chris-Craft.
Russell Athletic Finds Way Back To Team Uniforms
Russell Athletic, which last September decided to exit the team uniform business, is returning to the category with a new partnership with Augusta Sportswear. In an interview with SGB, Matt Murphy, Russell Athletic VP of marketing, said the company had been looking for the “right partner to represent the brand and the positioning of the brand. So it took a little time.”
Lids’ Q1 Performance Sends Genesco Stock Tumbling
Weakness at Lids Sports Group and shares of Genesco Inc. tumbling 9 percent Tuesday overshadowed an otherwise decent Q1 performance that saw the parent company of a variety of retail brands beat Wall Street estimates on income and revenue.
Rawlings Gets Assist From MLB In Sale
Seidler Equity Partners partnered with Major League Baseball to acquire Rawlings for $395 million. Said Mike Thompson, EVP of marketing at Rawlings, in an interview with SGB, “Rawlings has always been joined at the hip with Major League Baseball.”
Active Lifestyle Vendors Deliver Robust Q1
A wide majority of vendors in the actve lifestyle space reported first-quarter results that topped Wall Street’s expectations with many raising guidance for the year. Among brands, Vans, Champion, Puma and Callaway Golf stood out with healthy double-digit top-line growth but earnings from Nike, Deckers Outdoor, Columbia Sportswear and Wolverine Worldwide all easily topped Wall Street’s targets.
