SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent’s Bid for Mulberry Rejected
Luxury handbag maker Mulberry Group Plc rejected a takeover approach from Frasers Group, the parent of Sports Direct, and announced plans to proceed with its emergency fundraising to support a turnaround.
Analysts: Nike Could Cut Guidance Tonight
Several analysts expect Nike will lower guidance for the second straight quarter when it reports first-quarter results after the market’s close on Tuesday due in part to weakness in China but also to lower the bar for incoming CEO, Elliott Hill.
Iconix Completes Acquisition of Salt Life in Bankruptcy Proceedings
Brand management company Iconix International Inc., in partnership with the Hilco Consumer-Retail Group (HCR), has completed its acquisition of the Salt Life apparel brand for $38.74 million after previous owner Delta Apparel Inc. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late June. All 28 of Salt Life’s stores will close following the company’s bankruptcy sale as the brand’s new ownership transitions to a wholesale and e-commerce business model.
EXEC: SEC Charges Terminated Foot Locker Exec with Insider Trading
Barry Siegel, the former senior director of order planning management for North America, agreed to a civil settlement after allegedly using material nonpublic information about sales and inventories to short FL shares prior to two Foot Locker earnings announcements in 2023.
EXEC: Leatt Partners with ZyroFisher in Distribution Deal for UK and Ireland
ZyroFisher will begin distributing Leatt products in the UK and Ireland in Spring 2025, with pre-orders starting November 2024, providing a larger portfolio of mountain bike-oriented protective products.
EXEC: Golden Goose Gets Strong DTC Lift to Post DD Growth in First Half
DTC net revenues reached €226.8 million, accounting for 73 percent of total revenues in the first half on 18 percent year-over-year growth. Wholesale revenues were down 5 percent y/y to €74.6 million in H1, accounting for 24 percent of total net revenues in the period.
Cultural Shift: Lululemon’s Global Wellness Report Finds Wellbeing Burnout
Lululemon’s fourth annual 2024 Global Wellbeing Report underscores a move towards a more personalized approach to well-being amid a fast-paced digital lifestyle. For market stakeholders, understanding the nuanced needs of consumers is key for success in this evolving landscape.
EXEC: Giant Group Subsidiary Acquires Stages Cycling Assets Out of Chapter 11
SPIA Cycling, Inc., a subsidiary of Taiwan-based The Giant Group, has successfully acquired key assets of the Stages Cycling brand from its owner companies, some of which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June.
EXEC: Analysts See Nike’s CEO Change Giving the Brand Room to Maneuver
Not since ET, the Extraterrestrial has the resurgence of someone named Elliott created the amount of excitement Nike, inc. generated on Thursday when the company named former Nike exec Elliott Hill as the next president and CEO of the largest sporting goods company in the world
EXEC: Nike Putting the Band Back Together as Elliott Hill Named CEO, Effective October 14
Nike’s Board of Directors with CEO John Donahoe announced he will retire as president and CEO from its Board of Directors effective October 13.
EXEC: The 2024 Holiday Retail Calendar Adds Twists, Turns and Speed, According to BCG
In 2023, consumers completed over 50 percent of their Holiday shopping before Thanksgiving. However, the peak Holiday period (after Cyber Monday through Christmas Eve) was still the busiest, with 36 percent of shopping. This year that period will only have 27 days.
EXEC: Gartner Expects 32 Percent of Consumers to Shop Early for Holidays
Gartner suggests that 32 percent of consumers will begin holiday shopping between July and October and only 14 percent of U.S. consumers plan to spend more year-over-year, with 21 percent of consumers reducing their holiday spending.
Go Sport Expanding into Baghdad, Iraq
The international sports retailer’s expansion into Iraq is part of Go Sport’s broader growth strategy, following the brand’s acquisition by Al Mana in April 2023.
EXEC: Bain Sees E-Commerce Driving 90 Percent of Holiday Growth (updated)
Bain said a potential rate cut this week could spur consumer confidence and sales may also benefit as some consumers feel wealthier from rising disposable income and strong stock market gains this year. Deloitte and Bain both see e-commerce up in the high single digits for Holiday 2024 versus Holiday 2023.
EXEC: Nike and Adidas’ China Retail Partner Warns of Fiscal H1 Sales and Profit Decline
The company, which also manages retail operations in China for other “non-principal” brands, including Puma, Converse, Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Asics, Hoka, Skechers, the NBA, and other brand partners, reported that H1 profit is expected to decrease 35 percent year-over-year.
