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Rocky Brands Q4 Boosted By Higher Margins, Plant Efficiencies

Helped by vibrant sales at its higher-margin retail segment and steps to improve efficiencies at company-operated manufacturing facilities, Rocky Brands Inc. reported earnings on an adjutted basis rose 28.6 percent in the fourth quarter ended December 31.

Retail Reports Roundup

Retail studies arrived over the last two weeks on the value of in-person customer service, in-app spending growth, mobile payments, virtual assistants, supply chain digitization and more…

Trade Talks Showing Some Positive Signals

Facing a March 1 deadline before tariffs on some $200 billion in Chinese imports rise, Chinese and U.S. negotiators held high level talks Thursday and Friday in Washington D.C. The discussions come amid signs of progress on resolving some issues in the seven-month trade dispute.

Wolverine’s Shares Sink On Cautious Guidance

Wolverine World Wide reported sales came in slightly below Wall Street’s expectations but are expected to accelerate to mid-single digit growth in the back half of 2019 due to an expected turnaround at Saucony and accelerated growth at Merrell and Sperry. EPS guidance for 2019, however, came in below expectations as the company plans to ramp up brand-building efforts this year.

SFIA: Sports Industry Facing Too Many Casual Participants

The annual SFIA Topline Participation Report found more Americans embracing healthy lifestyles in 2018, including notable gains in participation in a number of outdoor and fitness activities. But the study found tackle football participation taking another hit and overall gains being driven by casual rather than core participants.

SportChek Q4 Boosted By Owned-Brands Push

Canadian Tire Corp reported that its SportChek segment saw same-store sales climb 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, helped by a strong reception to its owned brands, Ripzone, Helly Hansen and Woods. Said Allan MacDonald, Canadia Tire’s EVP of retail, “I’m pleased that our owned brand strategy has now taken root at Sport Chek where we have to compete with some of the greatest brands in the world.”

Canada Goose Q3 Revenues Surge 50 Percent

Canada Goose again raised its guidance for the year after banging out significant gains in earnings and sales in the third quarter ended December 31. Results benefited from strong demand for expanded lightweight offerings, retailer requests for earlier shipments of merchandise, and a strong reception to new stores.

Under Armour Struggles To Revive North America Growth

Under Armour Inc.’s fourth quarter came in better than expected in the fourth quarter due to strong growth internationally and fewer promotions. But sales in North America dropped 6 percent and a return to growth isn’t expected in the region until at least the second quarter. Patrik Frisk, president and COO, “When you’ve lost space on the shelf you got to earn it back and it takes a little bit of time.”

Retail Roundup … 7 Reports For February 2019

Retail studies arrived over the last two weeks around the state of influencer marketing, the link between inventory efficiencies and markdowns, turning one-and-dones into recurring customers, brands’ opportunities to “mend A divided nation,” and more…

Aisle Talk Week Of February 4

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including a number of former Cabela’s employees, led by Matt Highby, officially launching Highby Outdoors, an e-commerce site focusing on outdoor gear.

Vista Outdoor Cuts Guidance Amid Continued Headwinds

Shares of Vista Outdoor fell $1.58, or 15 percent, to $8.99 on Thursday after the company earlier in the day cut guidance on its third-quarter report of a 20 percent revenue decrease and a $514.6 million loss on a goodwill write-down. The company reported sales of $468 million, shy of Wall Street’s consensus target of $505 million.

Johnson Outdoors’ Shares Rebound Day After Q1 Miss

Shares of Johnson Outdoors climbed $1.75, or 3 percent, to $61.02 at market close Tuesday despite its previous day report of a first-quarter earnings and revenue miss. The company’s shares had slid after Monday it reported revenue dropped 10.4 percent to $104.4 million in the first quarter ended December 28, missing analysts’ estimates by $12.4 million. EPS of 35 cents missed expectations by 4 cents.

Aisle Talk Week Of January 28

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Moody’e lowering its debt ratings on Academy Sports.