Cause Marketing Platforms Not Breaking Through With Gen Z
Several brands in the active lifestyle space, including Patagonia, Nike and Toms, are being recognized for their purpose-driven ethos and related cause-marketing efforts according to an extensive study from DoSomething.org. But the study still found it’s not easy to break through and create belief among consumers.
Cannondale Driving Rebound For Dorel Sports
Dorel Industries said its Dorel Sports’ segment showed some recovery in the first quarter. Growth at Cycling Sports Group (CSG), led by Cannondale, helped offset continued pressures at the mass channel. Said Martin Schwartz, Dorel’s CEO, “We’re excited about prospects with the Cannondale line demonstrating excellent momentum.”
Sturm, Ruger Again Faces Activists At Annual Meeting
Sturm, Ruger & Company Inc. reported another quarter of double-digit declines with so signs of a pickup in the firearms market while yet again facing a number of gun-control activists at its annual meeting.
Johnson Outdoors Q2 Boosted By Strength In Fishing And Diving
Johnson Outdoors Inc. said it faced challenges in its kayak and tent businesses in the second quarter March 29, but still managed to show a slight increase in profits in the period due to momentum in its larger Fishing and Diving segments.
Big 5 Delivers Robust First Quarter But Weak Outlook
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. delivered a strong first quarter as cold weather boosted its winter business. But the California-based sporting goods chain also warned of a loss in the current quarter due to a later Easter this year and also warned that overall sales appear soft.
Rocky Brands Inc. Ramps Up Reinvestment After Strong Q1
Marketing efforts clearly paid off for Rocky Brands Inc. in the first quarter, with the company reporting a 9.1 percent earnings increase on a 7.4 percent revenue gain, both of which beat Wall Street’s estimates. Now the company plans to double down on that strategy by reinvesting some of the profits from last quarter into a revamped and rejuvenated marketing strategy aimed at taking more share across end markets.
Academy’s Struggles Continued In 2018
In an update, Moody’s Investors Service confirmed the debt ratings and outlook of Academy, Ltd., the parent of Academy Sports & Outdoors, while also indicating that the retailer’s financial performance continues to erode. The report noted that Academy’s comps declined in the mid-single-digit range and EBITDA declined 12 percent in 2018.
Study Sees Strong Link Between Awards And Labels To Sporting Goods Purchases
A new survey of active consumers across Europe from ISPO finds 75 percent indicating they pay special attention to awards and technical labels such as Gore-Tex, Vibram or bluesign when buying new sporting goods.
Firearms Background Checks Drop In March
FBI background checks, as adjusted by the NSSF, were down 12.4 percent in March to 1.31 million compared to the February 2018 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1.5 million.
IMF Study Finds Tariffs Can’t Fix Trade Problems
New research from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finds that if the U.S. and China raise tariffs to 25 percent on all goods traded between the two countries, the U.S. economy would lose between 0.3 and 0.6 percent in growth, the Chinese economy would lose between 0.5 and 1.5 percent, and global growth would slow by 0.1 and 0.2 percent.
Tariffs Less Worrisome For Some, Not Others
While no trade deal has been reached between the U.S. and China, the news around tariffs has been more favorable than unfavorable since the start of the year. But some industry players still have been raising prices, purchasing early to avoid hits and taking other steps to mitigate their potential impact.
Moody’s To Review Camping World’s Debt Ratings For Possible Downgrade
Moody’s Investors Service placed all ratings of Camping World, including the B1 corporate family rating, on review for a possible downgrade due to the retailer’s poor performance in the fourth quarter.
Burris Company Appoints Sales Manager
Burris Company, Inc. the maker of optics under the Steiner and Burris brands, appointed Todd Fulton as the company’s newest sales manager.
American Baitworks Acquires Southern Lure Company
American Baitworks Co. has acquired Southern Lure Company, one of the pioneering brands in the industry with more than 30 years of experience designing and developing frogs and other products for topwater fishing.
Court Rules Remington Can Be Sued Over Newtown Shooting
The Connecticut Supreme Court has reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the families of nine victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting against Remington Arms, the manufacturer of the rifle used in the shooting.
