SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
EXEC: Mips Continues to Turn the Business Around in Q1 After Tough 2023
For the consecutive second quarter, Mips delivered growth in the Bike sub-category and has seen inventory levels of helmets with consumers and retailers returning to healthier levels.
EXEC: Ahead, Craft, Cutter & Buck Parent Sees Sales Decline Cut into Bottom Line
The Swedish-based owner of Ahead, Auclair, Craft, Cutter & Buck, and Tenson reported that first-quarter net sales decreased 7 percent to SEK 1.995 billion. Regionally, Central Europe, followed by the U.S., performed best in sales volume.
EXEC: Johnson Health Tech Retail Finalizes Bowflex Acquistion
Johnson Health Tech Retail intends to fold the existing BowFlex and Schwinn operations into its North American sporting goods/e-commerce group. The company reported that BowFlex will complement its team with experts from the BowFlex organization.
EXEC: Shimano Q1 Sales Down 20 Percent on Continued Bikes and Fishing Weakness
In this current macroeconomic environment, the company said demand for bikes and fishing tackle continued to be weak, and for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, net sales decreased 20.2 percent year-over-year to ¥100.5 billion.
Report: 17 Million Canadians Consider Themselves Fans of Women’s Sport
The first Canadian study highlights unique attributes of Canadian fans of women’s sport and the value fandom represents for sport business.
EXEC: Nike, Inc. Outlines Two-Phase Plan to Cut 740 Positions at Beaverton HQ
In a new WARN notice filing, Nike. Inc. said that a total of 740 positions would be permanently eliminated at the company’s Beaverton World Headquarters across two phases of layoffs, including the first phase in February of this year.
EXEC: Saucony, Merrell and K-Swiss China Retail Partner Sees Slower Q1 Growth
Xtep International had 110 Saucony-brand stores and four Merrell-brand stores operational in Mainland China at the end of 2023. The company boasted 101 K-Swiss stores in the Asia Pacific region at the end of the year, with 94 Palladium brand stores to end 2023.
StockX: Fakes Were 19 Percent of Rejected Sneakers Over Last 12 Months
In 2023 the company rejected over 325,000 products, collectively valued at over $82 million, because they did not meet StockX’s verification standards, with 19 percent of that total tagged as suspected fakes. Used products totaled 29 percent of rejects.
EXEC: Under Armour’s HR Chief and DEI Leader to Exit Company
Tchernavia Rocker’s departure represents the second female senior executive planning to exit the company in the last two months. Rocker joined UA in February 2019 as chief people and culture officer.
EXEC: Adidas Gets Another Yeezy Lift in Q1; Increases 2024 Guidance
Adidas now expects full-year 2024 currency-neutral revenues to increase at a mid- to high-single-digit rate in 2024, up from its previous forecast for a mid-single-digit increase. The latest Yeezy drop added revenues of around €150 million and an operating profit of around €50 million in the first quarter.
BRC: UK Retail Sales See Good Recovery in March, Outpacing U.S. Trends
The British Retail Consortium said UK total March retail sales increased 3.5 percent year-over-year in March, cycling growth of 5.1 percent in March 2023. This was said to exceed the 3-month average growth of 2.1 percent and the 12-month average growth of 2.9 percent.
EXEC: Three Global Running Associations Partner on Events and Conferences
This new collaboration between European Athletics, Running Industry Alliance and Running USA could signify a milestone in showcasing innovation and growth within the B2B running industry.
EXEC: Lululemon, Patagonia and Vuori Top Best Brands for Resale Report
Active lifestyle brands dominated the leader board in the latest annual resale report from ThredUp and doubled representation in the report’s Top 20 for Best Brands for Resale.
EXEC: Sports Direct Parent Looks to Expand Presence in the Netherlands
Frasers Group has signed a deal to acquire Dutch sports retailer Twin Sport BV as it looks to expand its footprint across the Benelux region and beyond. Frasers currently has five stores in the Netherlands under the Sports World banner.
EXEC: Nike and Lululemon Fight Teen Perceptions as Smaller Brands Take Share
With all the conversations about Wall Street darlings Lululemon and Nike stumbling this spring after recent earnings reports for their most recent quarters, it is interesting to read the hard data supporting or countering early reactions.
