SGB Update Apparel
Unifi First-Quarter Impacted by Weak Apparel Orders
Unifi, Inc. reported sales fell 22.7 percent in the fiscal first quarter ended October 1 due to “weak demand and depressed ordering patterns” in the apparel sector. The makers of Repreve-branded recycled and synthetic yarns, based in Greensboro, NC. posted a loss in the period.
Lids Opens NBA Store in Houston
Lids, in partnership with Fanatics and the NBA, opened a second NBA-themed store in The Galleria in Houston, TX, its second flagship in the U.S. following its New York City store that opened in 2015.
October U.S. Employment Numbers Fall Short of Expectations
Many noted that the 150,000 increase in jobs and the 3.9 percent unemployment rate were in line with the pre-pandemic employment picture and some wondered if maybe, just maybe, the market was getting back to normal.
Report: Foot Traffic Data Sees Possible Boost for Sporting Goods Retail for Black Friday
Year-over-year visit gaps at Recreational & Sporting Goods chains, Electronics Stores and Department Stores widened significantly since the end of August, but more recent data looks a little more promising, with all three categories now seeing their visit gaps begin to shrink.
Christy Sports Appoints New CEO, Marketing and Merchandising Chiefs
Christy Sports appointed Pete LaBore as chief executive officer, Mimi Nuelle as chief merchandising officer, and Danielle Quatrochi as chief marketing officer.
VF Corp.’s Debt Ratings Outlook Revised To Negative by S&P
S&P Global Ratings reduced its debt ratings outlook at VF Corp. on the company’s fiscal second-quarter report which came in below the rating agency’s base-case forecast with leverage increasing further to 4.4x compared with 3.6x in the same prior year period.
NRF Sees 3 to 4 Percent Growth in Holiday Spending
The National Retail Federation (NRF) delivered its annual holiday forecast, predicting sales during November and December will be between 3 percent and 4 percent higher over 2022, similar to pre-pandemic levels.
Gildan Activewear Sees Modest Sales Growth in Third Quarter
Gildan Activewear, Inc. reported sales grew 2 percent in the third quarter with flat sales in activewear and gains in the hosiery and underwear category. Results were in line with expectations with the sales gains following several quarters of declines. The company, however, now sees sales and earnings landing at the lower end of guidance due to macroeconomic pressures.
Titleist Parent Lifts Annual Earnings Outlook on Golf Club and Ball Strength
Acushnet Holdings Corp., the parent of Titleist and Footjoy, reported net earnings rose 10.6 percent in the third quarter on a 6.3 percent revenue gain. The increases were led by double-digit growth in club sales with with a 6.3 percent increase in balls. Revenue guidance for the year was reaffirmed and earnings guidance slightly raised.
Report: Authentic and WHP Global Exploring Champion Acquisition
Hanesbrands, the parent company of Champion, has had “wide interest” from parties, including WHP Global and Authentic, in acquiring the brand since the company announced in late September that it was considering a possible sale.
Topgolf Callaway Acquires BigShots Golf
Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. reported that the company purchased certain assets from Invited, Inc., the largest owner and operator of private golf clubs in the U.S., related to its BigShots Golf business.
Vista Outdoor’s Revenues Decline 13 Percent in Fiscal Second Quarter
Vista Outdoor, Inc. reported sales dropped 13 percent in the fiscal second quarter ended September 24 with declines of 19 percent in its Sporting Products segment and 6 percent in its Outdoor Products segment. Earnings and sales results were in line with updated guidance given on October 16.
Christy Sports Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
The retailer hired Danielle Quatrochi as chief marketing officer. In 2015, Quatrochi was honored as an SGB 40 Under 40 recipient when she worked as the VP of digital at The Finish Line, Inc. She also spent nearly ten years working at Nike.
Canada Goose Appoints New CFO
Neil Bowden, Canada Goose deputy CFO, will move into the CFO role when current CFO Jonathan Sinclair moves to president, APAC region, both effective April 1, 2024.
U.S. Consumer Confidence Drops for Third Consecutive Month
The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index fell to 102.6 in October from an upwardly revised 104.3 in September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index slipping to 100.0 from the previously reported 103.0
