Frasers Group reported retail revenue increased 4.0 percent in the first half ended October 29 to £2.69 billion ($3.4 bn), helped by a “strong underlying performance” from Sports Direct due in part to the addition of new brands, including On Running, The North Face, Columbia Sportswear and Salomon.
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699
EXEC: Dick’s SG Sees Differentiation Reaping Dividends
Speaking Tuesday at the 2023 Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference, Navdeep Gupta, EVP and CFO at Dick’s Sporting Goods, elaborated on how the retailer’s efforts to further differentiate itself both within product and the store experience is driving market share gains.
EXEC: Wells Fargo Shifts to Nike from Lululemon as Top Defensive Stock Pick
On Monday, Wells Fargo replaced Lululemon with Nike as its “Top Defensive Pick” among its stock coverage in the active lifestyle space. It also downgraded Lululemon and raised its price target on Nike.
EXEC: Eddie Bauer’s CEO Discusses Modernized Rebrand
Eddie Bauer introduced a new brand evolution and redesigned its logo in September, including bringing back “the goose.” Tim Bantle, Eddie Bauer’s CEO, talked with SGB Executive about the refreshed look of the 103-year-old brand, re-embracing its outdoor roots and its heightened focus on wholesale.
EXEC: Asics Expands 2026 Plan as Company Drives Past 2023 Targets
Asics Corp. has outlined goals that sees the Japanese performance footwear and apparel company returning to the lead in market share in the run specialty channel in North America by 2025, and a new focus on regional profitability.
EXEC: Academy Sports Sees Weather/Consumer Woes Derailing Sales Recovery
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. said a slow start to fall selling due to warmer temperatures as well as continued weak consumer demand caused third-quarter results to miss plan, resulting in a downward revision to full-year guidance. CEO Steve Lawrence said on an analysts call, “We feel like we don’t have a challenged strategy. We’ve got a challenged customer.”
Deloitte: Women’s Sports Revenue Set to Hit $1B In 2024
Deloitte forecasted that women’s elite sports will generate global revenues of $1.28 billion in 2024, the first time that annual global revenues for women’s sports will have surpassed $1 billion.
EXEC: Foot Locker Finds Progress with Lace-Up Strategy
Shares of Foot Locker, Inc. rose about 16 percent Wednesday after the sneaker juggernaut reported better-than-expected third-quarter results, encouraging sales trends so far in the fourth quarter and what Mary Dillon, president and CEO, hailed as several “early wins” in the company’s Lace Up transformation program.
EXEC: Black Friday Weekend Sales See Encouraging Start to Holiday Selling
Led by online selling and boosted by promotions, sales on Black Friday and over the past weekend topped or came in line with modest expectations, according to multiple survey reports and Wall Street analysts.
EXEC: Analysts Skeptical of Colt CZ’s Bid for Vista Outdoor
While Vista Outdoor’s stock has seen an uptick following news of Colt CZ making an unsolicited offer to acquire the company for $30 per share, or for $1.74 billion, analysts believe Vista’s board will reject the offer and follow through on its planned sale of Vista’s ammo business to Czechoslovak Group.
EXEC: Vista Outdoor Receives Unsolicited Offer to Acquire Company
Colt CZ Group has made an unsolicited offer to acquire the company for $30 per share, or $1.74 billion, potentially derailing a planned sale of Vista’s Sporting Goods business to Czechoslovak Group (CSG) and spinoff of the Outdoor Sports segment.
EXEC: Wall Street Reacts to Strong Q3 for Dick’s and Hibbett
The third-quarter earnings beats and raised guidance for both Dick’s Sporting Goods and Hibbett increased investor confidence that the athletic retail space is positioned to at least outperform the broader retail sector in a challenging marketplace, although some analysts were concerned about margin pressures at Dick’s.
EXEC: Dick’s SG Beats Q3 Expectations, Bullish on Holiday Selling
Boosted by a “very strong” back-to-school selling season, Dick’s Sporting Goods posted above-plan third-quarter results, lifting its guidance for the year. Lauren Hobart, president and CEO, told analysts, “We are pleased with how our consumer is holding up within the sporting goods industry and then particularly that they’re choosing Dick’s increasingly to meet their needs.”
EXEC: VF Scores Upgrade from JP Morgan
JP Morgan raised its rating and price targets on VF Corp. on increasing confidence that recently-hired CEO Bracken Darrell will use a similar strategy he used at his former company, Logitech International, to achieve a turnaround at the parent of Vans and The North Face.
EXEC: Duer’s Founder Discusses Denim Disruption
In 2015, Duer created a range of “stretch performance denim” manufactured from plants and various recycled materials, putting a new spin on jeanswear. Founder Gary Lenett talked with SGB Executive about the Vancouver-based brand’s inspiration, emerging opportunities outside denim, distribution model, and commitment to sustainability.