SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Nike Misses Revenue Estimates on Weak North America; Profits Beat
Nike, Inc. reported profits slipped 1 percent in the fiscal first quarter ended August 31. Sales grew 2 percent on a currency-neutral basis as double-digit gains in China helped offset a 1 percent decline in North America. Earnings came in well above analyst targets but sales were slightly below.
EXEC: ASOS plc Warns on Fiscal Year Cashflow Issue Due to Timing Effects
The retailer typically receives cash from their sales gross of returns and sales tax immediately. However, the cash outflow from sales tax, returns and variable costs associated with those sales predominantly impacts the following two months. The impact will reverse during September and October.
Enduro Bearings Expands Efforts in Australia, New Zealand
Enduro Bearings inked a multi-year distribution agreement with Lusty Industries in Australia and strengthened its relationship with Performance Recreation Velo in New Zealand.
Trek Bicycle Recalls Allant+ 7 E-Bikes Over Rear Brake Hose Issue
The company said the rear brake hose could kink and break when the handlebar is turned causing the rider to lose control of the bike, posing a crash hazard.
BioSteel Sports Nutrition Files for Creditor Protection, Seeks Buyer
BioSteel Sports Nutrition, Inc., the Toronto-based sports drink manufacturer, filed for creditor protection in the U.S. and Canada and plans to pursue a sale.
Lululemon and Xponential Fitness Confirm Ongoing Retail Partnership
Lululemon and Xponential Fitness confirmed that their retail partnership continues following Lululemon’s new five-year partnership with Peloton.
Report: Golf Apparel Sales Weaken in August, Led by Headwear
Golf Datatech reported that golf apparel sales were down in on- and off-course specialty stores for the second straight month in August, falling by 3.5 percent after a 3.6 percent drop in July. The July decline was the first decrease in 18 months
SFIA Study Finds Americans Continuing Pandemic-Discovered Fitness Routines
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s 2023 Tracking The Fitness Movement Report identified that participation in fitness activities grew 5.3 percent, or by 10.4 million people, since 2017. Total fitness participants rose by 800,000 year-over-year in 2022 to 205.8 million, hitting a high of 67.4 percent, surpassing the 67.3 percent rate in 2019 and 2021.
Acushnet Announces Pricing of Offering of Senior Notes
Acushnet Holdings Corp. priced an offering of $350 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes. The notes will bear interest at a rate of 7.375 percent per annum and will pay interest semi-annually.
Nautilus, Inc. Gets Stock Delisting Warning
The New York Stock Exchange sent Nautilus, Inc. a Notice on September 21 that the company is no longer in compliance with the NYSE’s listing requirements because the company’s average closing price was less than $1.00 per share over a consecutive 30 trading-day period.
Lululemon and Peloton Ink Five-Year Strategic Global Partnership
As part of the partnership, Peloton will become the exclusive digital fitness content provider for Lululemon, and Lululemon will become the primary athletic apparel partner to Peloton.
Report: Footwear Sales Decline 3 Percent Through August
Revenue from footwear sales in the U.S. declined 3 percent year-over-year from January through August 2023 (YTD), and units sold also decreased, according to Circana.
Acushnet Holdings Corp. Earns BB Credit Rating On New Debt Offering
S&P Global Rating signed a BB’ issuer credit rating and stable outlook to Titleist’s parent Acushnet Holdings Corp.’s planned offering of $350 million of senior unsecured notes. The rating reflects S&P’s expectation that Acushnet’s sales and profits will remain steady over the next year as post-pandemic golf activity decelerates, albeit at levels above pre-pandemic levels.
Players World of Sports Gets New Owners
Players World of Sports, the retailer of tennis and pickleball products based in Hilton Head, SC, was acquired by Daryl and Kathy Daye of Bluffton, SC, and Jeff and Heather Yakes of Hardeeville, SC.
Amazon Faces Antitrust Lawsuit from FTC, U.S. States
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a bipartisan coalition of 17 state attorneys general sued Amazon over violations of anti-competitive behavior. The lawsuit alleges the e-commerce giant’s practices are anti-competitive in how it serves shoppers as well as third-party sellers on the site.
