SGB Update Outdoor

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.

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.

Nordica Appoints U.S. National Sales Manager

Nordica recently hired Andy Lovell as U.S. national sales manager. He is a 20-year veteran of the active outdoor industry. Most recently, Lovell was the global key accounts manager for W.L. Gore & Associates.

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

Garmin Lifts Outlook On Q3 Beat

Garmin, Ltd. raised its guidance for the year as third-quarter results topped expectations. Among segments, fitness sales grew 26 and Outdoor advanced 7 percent while Marine declined 7 percent.  

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.”

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.