SGB Update Apparel
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
Brooks Running Eyes Return to Double-Digit Growth In 2024
Brooks Running’s global revenue grew 5 percent in the first nine months of 2023, with North America revenue increasing 7 percent. The Seattle, WA-based running brand, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, reported it “remains the leading running footwear brand across U.S. retail and forecasted a return to double-digit growth in 2024.”
Canada Goose Slashes Outlook On Spending Slowdown
Canada Goose reported earnings topped guidance in the fiscal second quarter ended October 1, but slashed its outlook for the fiscal year as sales slowed “noticeably” in September. The company said, “Increasingly challenging global macro-economic and geopolitical environments that have impacted consumer decision-making and prioritization of spend.”
Ibex Expands North American Sales Team
Ibex, the Merino wool apparel and accessories brand, reported it expanded its North American sales team, now reaching the Canadian market. AKA Sports Group, based out of Toronto, will cover the Ontario region, Awesome Outdoors Group will cover the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions in the U.S.
Vans Sales Director Departs Brand After Two+ Decades, Lands at RVCA
While VF execs were outlining the issues at Vans, the brand’s former sales director, Lance Eddy, was trying on his new RVCA duds, readying for his next gig as sales director of the street and beach lifestyle apparel brand.
Big 5 Sporting Goods Sees Q3 Profits Miss Plan, Warns on Weak Holiday Quarter
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. reported earnings were slightly below guidance in the second quarter ended October 1 as same-store sales dropped 8.2 percent on weak discretionary spending. The California-based chain further predicted same-store sales in the fourth quarter will decline in the high single-digit to low double-digit range.
Former Academy Sports CEO Joins Guitar Center as Chairman
Guitar Center Holdings, Inc. appointed Ken Hicks, executive chairman of Academy Sports and Outdoors and former CEO, as Board Chair. Guitar Center also named Gabriel Dalporto its new CEO and rehired Tim Martin as CFO.
Canadian Tire Exploring Alternatives for Financial Services Business
Canadian Tire Corp. said it bought back Scotiabank’s 20 percent stake in its financial services arm in a cash transaction valued at C$895 million ($647.14 mm) and is reviewing alternatives for its financial services arm. The moves were made in part to better support its loyalty program.
REI’s Unionized Stores Face Worker Protests Over Weekend
REI workers held coordinated actions at eight unionized stores this past weekend with the union indicating the actions were in response to the retailer’s decision to restructure jobs and working conditions in all of its stores.
