SGB Executive Sportsmans

Winchester’s Profits Hurt By Higher Commodity Costs

Winchester’s EBDITA fell 30.9 percent in the third quarter ended September 30 as sales dropped 5.3 percent, according to the ammunition maker’s parent, Olin Corp. On a conference call with analysts, John Fischer, Olin’s CEO, said the company now expects overall 2018 commercial demand in the Winchester segment to decline by approximately 20 percent in 2018, which follows a 17 percent decline in commercial demand in 2017.

Under Armour’s Shares Pop As Transformation Gains Traction

Shares of Under Armour shot up $5.04, or 27.7 percent, to $23.23 Tuesday, the stock’s highest one-day gain since 2008, as the company reported third-quarter earnings that more than doubled Wall Street’s consensus expectations. On a conference call with analysts, Kevin Plank, CEO, described the performance as “another solid proof point that our multiyear journey toward becoming a more operationally excellent company is on track.”

Retail Reports Roundup

Retail studies arrived on the online benefit to having physical stores, holiday spending forecasts on tech gadgets and seasonal celebrations, the challenges facing online holiday delivery, the positive payback from creating emotional connections and responding to online reviews.

Columbia Sportswear Notches Strongest Earnings In Company History

Citing the benefits of the company’s “brand-led, consumer-focused” Project CONNECT initiative, Columbia Sportswear reported earnings topped Wall Street targets for the seventh straight quarter, lifted its guidance for the year and provided an upbeat outlook for 2019.

Aisle Talk Week of October 22

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Yeti’s lukewarm initial public offering debut.

Callaway Golf Q3 Gains Lift From U.S. Momentum

With revenues in the U.S. running ahead 14.7 percent with the help of a good reception to the Rogue driver, Callaway Golf reported third-quarter earnings and sales exceeded guidance for the seventh straight quarter.

Aisle Talk Week of October 15

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Mammut North America—a division of Swiss-based Mammut Sports Group AG—parting ways with the company’s managing director, Joe Prebich (pictured), for undisclosed reasons.

5.11 CEO Francisco Morales Talks Retail Expansion, Tactical Sector Growth

Francisco Morales, newly appointed CEO of 5.11—the tactical gear brand he co-founded in 2003—spoke with SGB about what’s driving the company’s brick-and-mortar growth, the explosion of the tactical sector and the importance of having a supportive parent company like CODI.

Implus Amplifies One-Stop-Shop Empire With SKLZ

In an interview with SGB Executive, Seth Richards, CEO of Implus, and Todd Vore, president, discuss the company’s game-changing acquisition of SKLZ, what it means to its expanding fitness platform and the evolution of Implus’ dynamic one-stop-shop solution for accessories that now covers 20 brands.

Aisle Talk Week Of October 8

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including Asics announcing the opening of an urban, large-scale, low oxygen training center in Tokyo in September 2019.

Kevin Plank Discusses Under Armour’s Vision Quest

Speaking last week at the Advertising Week conference in New York City, Under Armour’s Kevin Plank spoke about the importance of brand values in driving sales and earning advocacy. The brand’s recent sales slump, according to the CEO, is partly because management neglected the company’s core purpose after years of growth.

How To Navigate The Trade War

Companies that are subject to new tariffs on Chinese-made products might be able to mitigate some or all of the financial impact, according to David Cohen, a Washington, DC-based international trade lawyer, who spoke at the recent SFIA Industry Leaders Summit. “You’re not sitting ducks. There are ways, there are countermeasures, that companies can take.”

Aisle Talk Week of October 1

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including BSN Sports, a division of Varsity Brands and the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to the school and league markets, completing its acquisition of Port Jeff Sporting Goods (pictured).

SGB Executive Q&A: Coast Products CEO David Brands

Coast Products has a rich history. The Portland, OR-based maker of knives, multitools, headlamps, flashlights and other accessories is turning 100 next year and has been family-owned since its founding in 1919. CEO David Brands spoke with SGB about the origins of the company his grandfather created, what’s driving growth and where Coast goes from here.

Relief Over Recast NAFTA Deal

With fears over the arrangement being scrapped entirely, relief arrived after the U.S., and Canada came to a last-minute agreement on a revised trade deal that could replace NAFTA. While the dairy and auto industries will face some changes, the impact on the apparel and footwear sectors appears negligible.