SGB Executive Sports & Fitness

Hibbett Looks To Build On Q4 Momentum In 2018

Hibbett Sports’ earnings fell, as expected, in the fourth quarter due to the promotional marketplace. But results were better-than-expected coming into the quarter due to an acceleration in its e-commerce business and strength in sportswear and overall footwear offerings.

VF Corp. Moves Into Performance Running

Stepping into the road running category, VF Corp. reached an agreement to acquire Altra, the maker of road and trail running shoes popular with ultra-runners. While Altra is expected to benefit from VF’s Corp’s expertise in both footwear and apparel, VF secures one of the fastest-growing brands in run specialty.

Adidas Lifts Profitability Target After Robust 2017

Powered by North America and China, Adidas reported yet another quarter and year of strong sales and profit growth. Adidas executives offered an upbeat look at the coming year and increased its 2020 profit target.

Dick’s Hopes Healthier Margin Outlook Offsets Top-Line Challenges

Dick’s Sporting Goods said on its fourth-quarter conference call that it’s facing top-line challenges in the hunt and fitness tracker categories as well as the Under Armour brand overall. But stronger product innovation from select key partners and the continued expansion of its private brands are expected to result in less margin pressure in 2018 than previously expected.

Study: Inactivity Rates Among Low-Income Households Near Historic Levels

The 2018 Physical Activity Council Participation Report finds a moderate rise in participation for many sports and activities, including fitness sports, outdoor sports and winter sports. On the downside, the study identified a continuing trend toward the affluent getting more active while the less affluent are becoming more inactive.

Dorel Sports Returns To Growth In Q4

”Despite a continued weak global bicycle market, Dorel Sports grew its top-line in Q4 improving considerably from the third quarter driven by strong performance in Cycling Sport Group (CSG)’s international business, and at Caloi,” said Martin Schwartz, CEO of Dorel Industries.

Acushnet Q4 Aided By U.S. Golf Industry Stabilization

Said David Maher, Acushnet’s president and CEO, “We like our position in the U.S. market heading into 2018 and are optimistic that the U.S. retail channel is in the best shape it has been in for some time.”

Nautilus Seeing Healthy Response To Bowflex Treadmills

Nautilus Inc. said sales in its Retail segment were down in the fourth quarter due to timing issues but retail sell-throughs were strong for the Bowflex MaxTrainer as well as the recently-introduced Bowflex cardio line of treadmills and elliptical. Companywide, earnings were slightly down but in line with targets.

Shares Of Foot Locker Slump On Dismal Outlook

Shares of Foot Locker Inc. were down $5.84, or 12.7 percent, to $40.04 on Friday after the sneaker retailer reported weak fourth-quarter results and indicated the sales won’t likely rebound until the second half of 2018.