SGB Executive Sports & Fitness

Americas Region, Chunkier Styles Drive Puma’s Q2 Growth

Puma SE said it scrambled to catch up to a fashion shift toward bulkier footwear to enable it to continue its robust top-line momentum. But due to higher marketing expenses to maintain that growth, Puma wasn’t able to lift its profit outlook for the year.

Wall Street Cheers Lululemon’s CEO Hire

Shares of Lululemon Athletica rose slightly on Wednesday as Wall Street analysts unanimously applauded the hiring of Calvin McDonald, the CEO of the Sephora cosmetics chain, as its next CEO.

What’s Behind Brooks Running’s Shop-In-Shop Initiative?

On June 16, Brooks Running announced the company was partnering with 30 run specialty shops in the U.S. and Canada to launch the company’s first shop-in-shop program. SGB Executive reached out to Mike Billish, VP of U.S. sales, to explore the new program.

Oakley Resumes Growth In Luxottica’s Q2

Oakley saw a return to growth in the company’s core sports channel in North America in Luxottica’s second quarter ended June 30, although Sunglass Hut was the strongest performer for the Italian-based eyewear giant.

Experience Counts … Demo Day Kicks Off Outdoor Retailer Summer Market

Outdoor brands took to Denver’s Confluence and Commons parks Sunday afternoon to showcase some of their newest offerings for 2019 and give retailers a chance to paddle SUPs, pedal e-bikes and check out dozens of products from water bottles to energy bars to a stand-to-pee accessory for women.

Aisle Talk Week of July 16

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Boa Technology Inc. opening the company’s new environmentally friendly headquarters in Denver, CO.

Sports Direct Burned By Outside Investments

While underlying earnings are benefiting from its “Elevation” efforts to upgrade its stores, Sports Direct reported that its U.S. business, consisting of Bob’s Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports, showed loss in its fiscal year ended April 29 and a number of other investments aren’t paying off.

Adidas Downgraded On Heightened Competition

Wells Fargo Securities downgraded shares of Adidas due to renewed growth in North America at Nike, continuing explosive growth at Vans and some lackluster results from the launch of new Adidas platforms.

SFIA Webinar Stresses Urgency In Applying For Tariff Exclusions

On a webinar Wednesday, David Cohen, an international trade expert with Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg and Bill Sells, SVP government relations & public affairs at the SFIA, discussed the urgency for affected sporting goods companies to seek exclusions to avoid the latest round of tariffs on Chinese imports. The first deadline in the exclusion process is less than 10 days away.

Did Adidas Or Nike Win The World Cup?

Sponsoring the two finalists at the World Cup was a sign to some observers that Nike had outperformed Adidas in driving brand awareness, and likely sales, from summer’s biggest sporting event. But both brands appear to have benefited.

Retail Report Roundup

Studies arrived last week on BTS selling arriving early, stores dominating BTS selling, Amazon Prime Day launching BTS season, U.S. retail CEOs who are bullish on growth, Nordstrom’s high emotional intelligence ranking, Amazon’s broadening influence and loyalty-program inhibitors.

Jim Baugh Discusses Possible PHIT Act Passage  

On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways & Means approved the PHIT Act, bringing the bill the closest it’s come to becoming law since its inception. Here, Jim Baugh, founder of PHIT America, talks about what passage of the PHIT Act could mean for the sporting goods industry, continuing obstacles to its passage and the ongoing battle against sedentary lifestyles.

SGB Executive Q&A: Oofos’ Steve Gallo

Steve Gallo, president of Offos, discusses what’s behind the recovery-footwear leader’s explosive growth, the brand’s fanatical fans and the still-emerging recovering footwear opportunity.

Aisle Talk Week Of July 9

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Fabletic’s big hires and ambitious plans to reach 100 stores.

Does 2026 World Cup Present “Open Goal” For Adidas?

In a 26-page report, analysts at Macquarie Research said the 2026 World Cup, which is taking place in North America, represents a major opportunity for Adidas to increase the company’s lead in the sport of global football (soccer) and could significantly help narrow the company’s wide gap in U.S. market share against Nike.