SGB Executive Sportsmans

EXEC: L.L.Bean Posts Flat Revenue in 2024; Employee Bonus Falls to 6.5 Percent
The company said it continued to navigate a challenging retail environment in 2024, in a year impacted by inflationary headwinds and a decrease in spending in the outdoor sector.

EXEC: Solo Brands Ends 2024 with $12M in Cash; Sees Credit Compliance Doubtful
Subsequent to the end of the year, Solo Brands drew down $277.3 million on its revolver, which matures next year on May 12, 2026. CFO Laura Coffey said the company expects to experience difficulty remaining in compliance with the financial covenants in its credit agreement.

EXEC: Dick’s SG Shares Decline as Street Worries About Weaker 2025 Outlook
Dick’s posted a 5.2 percent comp store sales increase for the 2024 fiscal year, cycling against a 2.6 percent comp sales gain in the 2023 fiscal year. The retailer expects full-year comp sales growth from 1.0 percent to 3.0 percent for fiscal 2025.

EXEC: Rapala VMC Getting Big Hits with CrushCity Lures as Soft Baits Dominate
North American sales grew in almost all categories except hard baits, impacted by the trend shift in fishing techniques favoring soft plastics over hard baits. CrushCity was the driving force in the company’s soft bait business.

EXEC: Velocity Outdoor Posts Full-Year Sales Decline After Crosman Divestiture
The decrease in net sales was driven by the divestiture of the Crosman air gun business, which the company sold on April 30, 2024. The remaining product categories reportedly decreased due to softness in the Hunting and Fishing market and retailers reducing their inventory-on-hand levels.

EXEC: Primaloft Posts Double-Digit Growth as Market Recovers from Inventory Woes
The textile partner for the outdoor market saw some upside in 2024 as inventory levels in the retail landscape began normalizing, increasing orders with retailers and with the company’s brand partners.

EXEC: 5.11 Tactical Posts Flat Sales in 2024 on Weak DTC Business; Takes PFAs Write-Down
Parent company CODI took a write-down of inventory of approximately $12 million at 5.11 related to PFAs regulations. CODI said the 5.11 sales decrease was driven by a $10.4 million decrease in direct-to-consumer sales due to less promotional sales and lower off-price selling, as well as a $0.5 million decrease in domestic wholesale sales due to inventory availability.

EXEC: Big 5 CEO Looks for End of Weak Winter in Hopes of Spring Baseball Rebirth
The West Coast and Mountain state retailer continues to focus on managing the expenses within its control, considering the ongoing economic challenges, while it waits for the annual floor shift to spring sports and a hopeful lift from youth baseball season.

EXEC: Sturm, Ruger Gets Q4 Lift from New Products as NICS Checks Weaken
New products represented $159.3 million, or 32 percent of firearms sales in 2024, an increase from $119.0 million, or 23 percent, in 2023. The launch of the RXM pistol collab with Magpul reportedly had a significant impact in December.

EXEC: Jackson Kayak Adds to Paddle Stable with Eddyline Kayaks Deal
The company said “the deal unites two iconic brands with one mission: to inspire more people to experience the joy of kayaking.” Jackson Kayak also owns Werner Paddles and Kialoa.

EXEC: Wolverine Worldwide Shares Fall 17 Percent as 2025 Forecast Disappoints
Fourth quarter revenue fell 5.8 percent year-over-year but rose 3.3 percent to $494.7 million when tallying the company’s ongoing business. The company posted big improvements in gross margin and operating margins in Q4, leading to a positive earnings result.

EXEC: VF Corp. Spin-Off Acquires Helly Hansen
The VF spin-off parent of the Wrangler and Lee brands has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of Helly Hansen from Canadian Tire Corporation for ~ $898 million.

EXEC: Shimano Inc. Sees 2024 Sales Decline on Soft Bike and Fishing Demand
Uncertainty about the outlook increased due to rising tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East, a stagnant Chinese economy, and the changes in leadership in various countries. The observations came in the company’s year-end financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

EXEC: Under Armour Cautious on North America’s Return to Growth
Under Armour, Inc. reported third-quarter results that exceeded guidance for the third straight quarter with the help of some recovery in North America. However, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank declined to forecast a return to growth in the region, with the current priority of driving full-price sales.

EXEC: Columbia Sportswear Shares Fall on Q4 EPS Miss and Tepid Q1 Forecast
Net sales increased 3 percent to $1.10 billion in the fourth quarter. First quarter net sales are expected to range between $749 million and $764 million, representing a decline of 3 percent to 1 percent from $770 million for the comparable Q1 period in 2024.