
EXEC: Solo Brands Sees Big Pay-Off at Retail as Q2 Wholesale Jumps
For a company identified by the symbol “DTC” on the NYSE, the conversation for the quarter was interesting as the growth in the wholesale business overshadowed, but did not offset, the decline in its direct-to-consumer business.

EXEC: Johnson Outdoors Battles Post-Pandemic Slowdown
Johnson Outdoors’ overall profitability benefited from improved pricing in the fiscal third quarter ending June 30, but sales were down 8 percent from a slowdown in the Fishing segment and a continued decline in Camping and Watercraft Recreation. On a call with analysts, Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairman and CEO, said, “We’re seeing consumer demand continue to moderate from the strong pandemic-fueled levels of the past few years.”

Xero Shoes CPO, Dennis Driscoll, Retiring After 44-Year Footwear Career
Long-time global footwear industry veteran Dennis Driscoll is retiring on September 1 after more than 44 years. He has served as chief product officer for Xero Shoes since 2012.

EXEC: L.L.Bean Expands Wholesale to Dillard’s, Moosejaw and Select Independents
L.L.Bean is adding Dillard’s and Moosejaw to its roster of U.S. wholesale key accounts, as well as ten independent specialty retailers in the southeastern U.S. The Maine-based retailer also plans to open four stores, with two in Quebec.
Yamaha Marine Looks to Suzuki for Technology Chief Role
The Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit hired Grant Suzuki as chief of technology, Advanced Marine Systems, focused on leading and building-out Yamaha’s C.A.S.E. strategy.

Newell Brands Debt Ratings Downgraded
S&P Global Ratings lowered its debt ratings on Newell Brands, Inc. due to its expectations that the company’s debt leverage would remain higher for longer after a weak first half of 2023 and finish the year at well over 5.5x.

EXEC: GoPro Gets Q2 Sales Lift on Lower Prices, Return to Retail Doors
GoPro said it saw an immediate retail sales and GoPro subscription lift in the second quarter as a result of its mid-quarter go-to-market strategy shift that included a return to pre-pandemic pricing and a greater emphasis on retail sales.

REI Co-op to Open Store in Beaverton, OR
REI Co-op reported it plans to open a store in Beaverton, OR in spring 2024. As the anchor tenant at Walker Center, the store’s footprint will be 39,512 square feet at 2780 SW Cedar Hills Boulevard.
Delta Apparel Logs Q3 Loss As Sales Decline Double-Digits
Delta Apparel Inc. posted a loss in the fiscal third quarter ended July 1 due to efforts to reduce production levels to rebalance inventories in the marketplace as well as from inflationary pressures on cotton. Delta said the inventory and inflationary pressures are receding.

EXEC: Adidas Sees North America Struggles Continue
Adidas’ second quarter results included several encouraging signs, including securing an incremental profit of €150 million ($164 mm) from the first drop of leftover Yeezy, significantly improved margins due to better sell-throughs and less discounting, and a return to double-digit growth in China. However, the laggard continues to be North America, where sales on a currency-neutral basis tumbled 16.4 percent in the period.

Fox Factory Posts Flattish Q2 Sales Growth Despite Shrinking Specialty Sport Group
A 1.5 percent revenue decrease for Q2 reflects a 41.0 percent decrease in Specialty Sports Group net sales, offset by a 32.6 percent increase in Powered Vehicles Group and 26.2 percent growth in the Aftermarket Applications Group net sales.
Camping World Holdings Closes on Two Arkansas RV Dealer Locations
Upon the completion of certain facility renovations, the company intends to open these locations as Forest River RV Little Rock and Alliance RV Northwest Arkansas.

ICSC: Majority of BTS Shoppers Spending More in 2023 Due to Inflation, Higher Prices
While inflation is a partial driver of higher spending, the data found that the consumer remains resilient, but focused on deal-hunting for the best prices in the face of rising costs.

EXEC: Adidas Says No More Yeezy After Sell-Off Despite Flat Q2, Profit Bump
On Thursday, Adidas raised its earnings outlook for the year, in part because of demand for the company’s remaining stock of its discontinued Yeezy merchandise. The brand was boosted by the margin benefit from reduced inventory levels in the marketplace and China’s continuing recovery.
Tractor Supply Names Food Lion President as Newest Board Member
Tractor Supply Company appointed Meg Ham as an independent member of its Board of Directors, effective August 2. TSC said Ham brings a distinguished 35-year career in the retail industry and is the president of Food Lion.