SGB Update

Report: Black Friday Sees Record Online Spending

According to Adobe Analytics, a record $9.8 billion was spent online in the U.S. for Black Friday, up 7.5 percent year-over-year (YoY). Adobe had estimated this year’s Black Friday sales at $9.6 billion.

NGF Sets Leadership Transition

The National Golf Foundation appointed Greg Nathan as CEO. Joe Beditz, the current CEO, will transition to executive chairman. The NGF Board approved the changes to take effect on January 1, 2024. Nathan assumed the role of president earlier this year,

Puma Appoints GM for Puma Japan

Puma hired Ryokusai Inoue as general manager of Puma Japan, effective immediately. He replaces Kohei Hagio, who has held the position since 2021.

Wolverine World Wide Sees Debt Ratings Downgraded

Moody’s downgraded Wolverine World Wide, Inc.’s debt ratings to reflect Wolverine’s “ongoing steep revenue and earnings declines and Moody’s expectations that the challenging retail environment will hinder the company’s ability to realize significant near-term benefits from its turnaround efforts.”

Fanatics Commerce’s Debt Ratings Downgraded to Negative

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Fanatics Commerce’s debt rating to reflect the online fan website’s “significantly weaker than expected earnings and cash flow and the risk that the increasingly difficult operating environment will challenge its ability to achieve the appropriate level of returns on its current investments and return EBITDA and EBITDA margins back to their previous levels.”

G Fuel Names New CEO, Secures Investment

G Fuel, a brand of caffeinated drink mix sold by Gamma Labs, appointed Bryan Crowley as CEO while securing a “significant cash investment” from Kingswood Capital Management and First Bev.

KOA Sees Surge in Interest to Camp this Holiday Season

The Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) Monthly Research Report, November 2023 Edition, outlines a notable increase in holiday travel expectations, with camping a favored option for Thanksgiving, Hanukah and Christmas. 

Nordstrom’s Sales Led by Active in Third Quarter

Nordstrom reported slightly higher earnings in the third quarter on improving gross margins. Sales were down 6.8 percent with sales slumping 9.4 percent at the Nordstrom flagship banner and declining 1.8 percent at Nordstrom Rack.

Urban Outfitter’s Profits Soar in Third Quarter

Profits at Urban Outfitters surged 123 percent in the third quarter as sales grew 9 percent. Retail segment comps advanced 5.6 percent as gains of 22.5 percent at Free People and 13.2 percent at Anthropologie offset a 14.2 percent decline at the Urban Outfitters banner.

Reima USA Expands Indie Sales Rep Team

Reima USA hired Kerry O Sales to its independent sales rep network, marking a “significant step” in growing its U.S. business. 

SGB Media Thanksgiving Schedule

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, SGB Media is taking time to be with family and will not publish the SGB Evening Update on November 22 or the SGB Morning and SGB Evening Updates on November 23, or November 24. Publishing will resume on November 27, 2023. 

Outdoor Research Appoints VP of Operations

Outdoor Research recently promoted long-time employee Geoff Potter to vice president of operations, who has worked in planning and operations for nearly 12 years.

Beachbody Completes Reverse Stock Split

The Beachbody Company, Inc. announced that the company’s board of directors had approved a reverse stock split of all of its common stock at a ratio of one post-split share for every fifty pre-split shares, effective November 21, 2023.