MEC Appoints New CEO
Canadian outdoor gear retailer MEC promoted COO Peter Hlynsky to CEO, succeeding Eric Claus, who led the retailer during the filing for creditor protection and sale to U.S.-based private investment firm Kingswood Capital Management.
New Balance Appoints Director, Global Apparel Planning
New Balance promoted Stephen Butch to director of global apparel planning, effective immediately. He has worked for New Balance since 1995, starting as a sales associate in the brand’s Boston factory outlet store.
Mystery Ranch Promotes Fleming to Marketing Director
Mystery Ranch promoted Michelle Fleming to marketing director. She has worked for the company since earlly 2021. Most recently, Fleming wasa the senior product marketing manager after two years as product marketing manager.
Altra Running Hires Run Industry Vet as Director of Merchandising
Altra Running hired Samantha Terral as director of merchandising, effective immediately. Most recently, Terral was the digital/e-commerce manager at Saucony.
Authentic Expands Deal With Shein for Forever 21
Authentic Brands Group signed a long-term agreement with the Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein to produce a co-branded clothing line with Forever 21. The collaboration follows Shein’s move in August to acquire about a third of Forever 21′s operator, Sparc Group, with plans to explore new ways to reach customers.
Report: Golf Apparel Sales Decline for Third Straight Month in September
Galk Datatech is reporting that golf apparel sales were down in on-and off-course specialty stores for the third consecutive month in September, falling 3.7 percent after declining 3.5 percent in August and a 3.6 percent decrease in July.
Newell Outdoor & Recreation Segment Declines Another 20 Percent in Q3
The parent company of Marmot, Ex Officio, Stearns, Bubba, Coleman, and Contigo. The Outdoor segment’s 20.1 percent sales decrease in the third quarter was the fifth consecutive quarter with a segment sales decline in excess of 20 percent.
Winchester Ammunition Sales Decline 8.2 Percent in Third Quarter
The decrease in Winchester sales was said to be primarily due to lower commercial ammunition shipments and pricing, partially offset by higher domestic and international military sales.
Fleet Feet Acquires Ultra Running Company
Fleet Feet expands its retail footprint further with the acquisition of Charlotte, NC-based Ultra Running Company. The store was rebranded to Fleet Feet Charlotte–Myers Park.
Martha Headwear Adds Reps for Three More U.S. Sales Territories
Byron Seegers is now responsible for the Pacific Northwest region, Chris Baylinson was tapped to cover the North Atlantic region and Ashley White is now handling retailers in Florida for Martha Headwear.
Deckers Raises Guidance On Hoka and Ugg Momentum, To Divest Sanuk
Powered by healthy double-digit growth from both Ugg and Hoka, Deckers Brands reported earnings jumped 75.9 percent in its fiscal second quarter ended September 30 on a sales jump of 24.7 percent while hiking its outlook for the fiscal year.
Columbia Sportswear Expects Sharp Decline in Q4 as Pull-Ahead Orders Boost Q3 Sales
Net sales are now expected to increase 0.5 percent to 2.0 percent for 2023, down from the previous range of 2.0 percent to 3.5 percent growth. Fourth quarter net sales are expected to decline 10 percent to 5 percent and the company is also forecasting a low-double-digit percent decline in wholesale net sales in first half 2024.
Skechers Lifts Annual Guidance On Q3 Beat
Skechers U.S.A. Inc. slightly raised its outlook for the year after reporting third-quarter EPS that came in well-above targets. Earnings in the third quarter jumped 69.3 percent on significant margin improvement. Revenues gained 7.8 percent revenue gain as a 23.8 percent increase in direct-to-consumer sales offset a slight decline at wholesale.
On Brand Opens Miami Store
Swiss-running brand On opened a store in Miami, marking the company’s continued retail expansion and fifth store in the U.S.
Moody’s Confirms Vista Outdoor’s Debt Ratings On Ammo Business Sale
Moody’s Investors Service confirmed the debt ratings of Vista Outdoor, Inc. following the proposed acquisition of the company’s Sporting Products business by the Czechoslovak Group for $1.91 billion.
