
EXEC: Academy Execs Break Down Q4 Hits and Misses, 2024 Outlook
Academy saw an improving comp store sales trend in its fiscal fourth quarter, and while still negative, it gave company management something to hold on to when assessing overall performance in Q4, the full year ended February 3 and planning the year ahead.

EXEC: Gregory, High Sierra Parent Company Seeks Dual Listing for Shares
An additional listing is expected to increase liquidity of the company’s shares and create an opportunity to reach investors in markets that are an important part of the company’s global footprint and growth drivers for its business.

Algenesis Unveils Groundbreaking Biodegradable TPU Material
Algenesis’ partnership with Trelleborg underscores the material’s versatility and potential to disrupt industries ranging from aerospace applications to outdoor apparel.

Capstone Partners Releases Annual Consumer M&A Report
Personal consumption spending on services increased 7.4 percent YoY, over double the growth experienced by goods spending, the widest differential of services spending growth versus goods spending growth since 2009.

Topgolf Callaway Completes Debt Repricing
The company said it lowered its annual interest expense while maintaining the financial flexibility and liquidity needed to fund the continued growth of the business.

EXEC: DSW Parent Sees Business on Right Track with New People and Processes
DBI expects net sales growth in the low-single-digits in 2024 versus 2023, even when considering the headwind of the extra week of sales in 2023. EPS is forecasted to range between 70 cents to 80 cents per share for 2024, representing a roughly 10 percent increase at the midpoint when compared to the 2023 results.

Winnebago Swings to Fiscal Q2 Loss as Revenues Fall Double Digits
The motorhome, towable, and boat maker went the way of the RV industry as a whole in fiscal Q2, which ended February 24, as the post-COVID market conditions almost guaranteed a double-digit decline on the top line and a loss on the bottom.

66°North Appoints Strategy and Business Development Director
Josefine Laigaard will play an integral role in the expansion plans, working in the brand’s new satellite head office in Copenhagen, Denmark and working closely with the HQ in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Allbirds Inc. Inks Two More International Distributor Deals
Alyasra Fashion will be the exclusive Allbirds distributor in the Gulf Countries territory, and Primer Group will distribute Allbirds products across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Academy Sports and Outdoors Sees Positive Change in Q4 Sales Trend
The retailer reported that it did not meet its own expectations for Fiscal 2023 but a trajectory change in the fourth quarter turned the frown upside down. Fourth quarter net sales were up 2.8 percent to $1.79 billion while comp store sales declined 3.6 percent for the period.

DSW Parent Designer Brands Sees Shares Slide on Miss Against Street Estimates
The parent company to the DSW, Topo, Keds, Hush Puppies and other footwear brands, saw net sales decrease 0.8 percent to $754.3 million in the fiscal 2023 fourth quarter. Total comparable sales decreased by 7.3 percent for the quarter.

NRF Sees Retail Growth Slowing in 2024 as Economy Slows
The National Retail Federation forecasted 2024 retail sales would increase between 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent year-over-year to come in at $5.23 trillion to $5.28 trillion, a moderation from the 3.6 percent growth in 2023.

Shoe Carnival Sees Sales Improving in 2024 with EPS in Line with 2023
Shoe Carnival, Inc. reported net sales came in at the high end of the company’s expectations, totaling $280.2 million in Fiscal 2023 fourth quarter and $1.18 billion in Fiscal 2023 year ended February 3.

EXEC: U.S. Shoppers Are Under the Influence of Influencers
Now it’s the content creator, or influencer that is moving the market for brands, products, food, restaurants, new stores, and just about anything that requires a decision on the part of a consumer. If you are a marketer, you know this story all too well.

OnX Acquires TroutRoutes, Expands into the Angling Industry
OnX Fish will launch on iOS and the web exclusively in Minnesota this spring, with plans to expand across the Midwest later this year.