SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
Nike North America Bounces Back To Near Double Digit Growth In Q2
Led by a continued resurgence in North America, accelerated growth in China and continued gangbuster digital growth, Nike reported Q2 earnings and sales easily topped Wall Street’s targets and lifted its guidance for the year. Said Andy Campion, CFO, “As we’re beginning to gain greater insight into fiscal year ’20, we’re seeing continued strong demand.”
Aisle Talk Week Of December 17
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Thule Group’s announcement of the acquisition of rooftop tent maker Tepui Outdoors Inc. for $9.5 million.
Holiday Reports Point To Merry Retail Haul
With a few days to go, reports continue to arrive indicating the retail industry is heading for record holiday sales. Here, the latest holiday insights around online selling, last-minute procrastinators, returns, BOPIS demand, millennial gifting and more.
SFIA: Experiences Driving Fitness
With health club memberships at an all-time high, increasing by more than 6 percent in the last year alone, opportunity in the fitness industry is looking bright. But it’s largely driven by experiences, according to a webinar covering SFIA’s “2018 Tracking the Fitness Movement Report.”
OIA Webinar: Tariff War Likely Driving Extensive Supply Chain Changes
In a seminar presented by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), trade experts at KPMG said the U.S./China tariff war may end but the underlying geo-political issues impacting overall trade won’t any time soon. As a result, a holistic “intelligent supply chain” approach that encompasses both customs and supply chain planning will be required in the future.
Stifel Outlook: Uncertainty Presents Opportunity For Active Lifestyle Brands
In “2019 Outlook: Uncertainty Presents Opportunities,” a note that was sent to investors this week, Jim Duffy of Stifel outlined what he believes are going to be the differentiators for sports and active lifestyle brands in the new year. The newly public Yeti Holdings Inc., for example, was among those forecasted for a strong year based on its new product drivers and digital competency.
Tariff Talk: How Is The Industry Responding?
GoPro last week announced plans to move most of its U.S.-bound camera production out of China by the summer of 2019 to mitigate the potential impact of inclusion on any new tariff lists. With significant uncertainty continuing, here’s an update from a few industry execs from third-quarter conference calls on what they’re planning to do to mitigate the potential tariff impact.
Lids Finds New Turnaround Partner In Fanzz
While ending up with a skimpier price than hoped for, Genesco finally found a buyer for Lids to enable the company to re-focus on its footwear platforms. For its part, Lids hopefully found a new major partner, Fanzz-owner Ames Watson Capital, and minor partner, Fanatics, to help further stabilize the struggling business.
Aisle Talk Week Of December 10
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Fanatics marking its first licensing agreement with a university, a 10-year deal with the University of Oregon to license, manufacture and sell its sports gear beginning on January 1, 2020.
Wall Street Reacts: Under Armour’s Investor Day
Most analysts applauded the progress Under Armour is making instilling greater operational and financial disciplines under its transformation efforts. Some were also encouraged by the innovation on display Wednesday at the company’s Investor Day in Baltimore. But growth concerns, particularly in North America, and overall execution issues in the competitive landscape continued to worry many on Wall Street.
Under Armour Predicts Slow Recovery On Investor Day
At its Investor Day Wednesday in Baltimore, Under Armour officials touted early paybacks in its Transformation efforts and the brand’s ability tap into a Focused Performer consumer that globally represents $92 billion in revenue potential. But shares of Under Armour fell sharply on the day as Under Armour forecast only modest growth in the years ahead, including little pickup in North America.
ACSM Survey: Wearable Technology Top Fitness Trend For 2019
According to the 13th annual Fitness Trends survey from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), wearable technology is forecast to stand out as next year’s most popular trend, climbing from 3 the prior year. Group Training and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) are expected to remain in high demand. Programs seeing notable expansion included Fitness Programs for Older Adults, Mobile Exercise Apps and Workplace Well-Being Programs
Aisle Talk Week Of December 3
Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including big news from trade show owner Emerald Expositions, which canceled Interbike (pictured) for 2019 and also shortened Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and Winter Market from four days to three days.
Genesco Sees U.S. Footwear Business Offset Lids’ Struggles
Boosted by a 9 percent comp gain at Journeys, Genesco Inc. reported its highest quarterly comparable sales increase in more than 2.5 years. Adjusted earnings easily topped Wall Street’s targets. Lids continues to face weak headwear trends and the sales exploration of the business is taking longer than anticipated.
Run Specialty Re-Finds Its Stride
With a spurt of innovation, a healthy shake-out of stores, and a number of nimble adjustments to the changing retail landscape, run specialty is back in growth mode, according to participants at last week’s The Running Event in Austin.
