While The Street’s general consensus is that it will take a period of time for Nike to reap benefits from its new game plan and edge closer to its $50 billion in annual revenue target, the big questions heading into the Back-to-School and Holiday seasons are: How will consumers and major sneaker retailers (Dick’s and Foot Locker) immediately react to the Nike reset? And can rivals, large and small in athletic footwear and apparel, take advantage of this Swoosh hiccup? Read more...
NAFTA is back in the headlines following President Trump’s announcement mid-May to renegotiate the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. A 90-day consultation clock under Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) allows industry to weigh in prior to a hearing scheduled for June 27th. Under TPA, negotiations with Canada and Mexico could begin in mid-August. Read More...
Four Cabela’s shareholder complaints, including a class action case filing last week, could delay a scheduled July 11 Cabela’s shareholder meeting to approve the $5.0 billion merger between the outdoor specialty behemoths.
The latest legal challenge to the merger, filed June 15, alleges the proposed transaction, more than nine months in the making, is a “reactionary response” to pressure from activist investor Elliott Management Corp., which has an 11 percent stake in Cabela’s. Shareholder John Solak, who filed the complaint, alleges Cabela’s June 5 proxy statement fails to disclose pertinent information and charges the retailer’s financial advisor Guggenheim with conflicts of interest. He wants more Cabela’s financial information released ahead of the scheduled vote.
One big bone of contention is why Cabela’s shareholders had to absorb an aggregate $275 million hit when Bass Pro Shops revised its per-share price for its rival to $61.50. The lowered purchase price emerged after Capitol One said it probably would not be able to secure government approval for its proposed acquisition of Cabela’s credit card portfolio. Later, a Georgia regional lender stepped in to save the deal.
Back-to-School Shopping, while still an afterthought in some Northern U.S. states that end the current school year this week, commences in late July and will run into September so students can check out what brands and products others are wearing. Currently, 13 states will have tax-free holidays ranging from 2-7 days long, starting with Mississippi and Tennessee on July 28. NPD predicts Adidas and Puma will be “hot,” all performance categories will be weak and Classics, casual and lifestyle running will lead athletic footwear buying trends.
May retail sales, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, were down 0.3 percent from April but up 3.8 percent to $473.8 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. On an adjusted basis, Sporting goods, hobby, book & music store sales were flat on an adjusted basis last month to nearly $7.2 billion.
SFIA releases 87 Single Sports & Fitness Reports, providing in-depth analysis and a breakdown of participation demographics by specific sports or fitness activity in research conducted by Sports Marketing Surveys
USA. Cost per is $99 report for SFIA members, $245 for non-members.
Superfeet Celebrates 40th Anniversary. The employee-owned company introduces footwear and rolls out a 3D printed insole program.
BOA introduces New Tech and Names New CEO. Nothing will constrict Boa Technology CEO Shawn Neville from helping the Denver company improve its customized fit solution.
No strings attached. The married Argentinean couple has raised nearly $20 million for Hickies, a Brooklyn company addressing how athletic shoes are closed around the foot two eyelets at a time.
The Co-founder and Managing Partner of Partners Growth, which brings premium brands into the U.S. market, talks Finnish children’s wear brand Reima.
Six-year old Altra is teaming with Utah State University to develop outdoor design talent.
Let's Go Hyperwear: Former Equinox personal trainer merges the innovative, functional fitness gear from Austin, TX company with programming for schools, camps and institutions.
Sly and Simple. BlueFox.io and its technology enable a retailer to interact with customers in store and track traffic. No beacon required. The CMO explains the benefits of the platform.
The CEO of Xenio Systems talks about the company’s new platform that tracks where shoppers spend time in physical stores and its patented hyper-positioning technology.
The director of export promotion for Mexico’s Guanajuato State government agency addresses the proposed impact of the Border Adjustment Tax by the U.S. and the possibility of a renegotiated NAFTA free trade agreement.
The founder and CEO of EyeFitU, a former investment banker, talks ‘glocal’ assortments, shoppers’ personal sizing and global web payment options.
The president and CEO of the SFIA addresses the most serious threat the industry has faced in the past half-century and the expected re-introduction of the PHIT Act by Congress.
The Italian global trade expert in footwear talks about the present and future of TheMicam trade show and the potential impact of a Border Adjustment Tax in the U.S. on imported shoes.
Dr. James Eakin, chief marketing officer and director of U.S. operations for Xenoma, discusses the Japan company’s e-skin shirt and entire wearable category.
Industry senior statesman Rusty Saunders dishes on industry leadership, pressing issues and the inactivity pandemic.
Expert Barbara Barclay, president of RightEye, talks eye-tracking technology and her company’s recent alliance with Major League Baseball and USA Baseball.
Julie Sylvester, Executive Producer at Living in Digital Times, talks trends likely to emerge at Sports and FitnessTech Summit at CES in Las Vegas.
Chris Palmer, Founder and CEO of BoxFox, talks excess inventory and solutions for vendors, retailers and distributors.
Susie McCabe, SVP of global retail for Under Armour who previously spent 16 years at The Ralph Lauren Corp., dishes on UA’s retail strategy and new Brand House in Boston.
On the eve of Election Day, we talk to three leading industry lobbyists on how the results may impact trade in the sporting goods, outdoor and apparel and footwear industries.
On the eve of Election Day, we talk to three leading industry lobbyists on how the results may impact trade in the sporting goods, outdoor and apparel and footwear industries.
On the eve of Election Day, we talk to three leading industry lobbyists on how the results may impact trade in the sporting goods, outdoor and apparel and footwear industries.
The president of Reebok Future discusses the intent of the unit and the brand’s plans to develop footwear in a new way.
TREW CEO Paul Schille dishes on the eight-year old company in the process of completing its Series A round of funding and his dual career.
Milestone Sports CEO Jason Kaplan dishes on the company’s low-cost, wearable pod and how it will help specialty retailers connect.
OOFOS marketing executive talks about the recovery footwear brand and candidly about her courageous personal health journey.
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America President Matt Priest the likelihood of the Trans-Pacific Partnership being passed soon.
ING Source executives dish about compression technology and the Hickory, NC company’s breakthrough OS1st Brace Layer System.
Jones & Vining’s Charles Liberge addresses strategies and directions for the iconic brand.
Rockport Group senior executives talk about the brand’s fresh start under new ownership that has a major emphasis on versatility.
Mission Athletecare CEO Josh Shaw says thermoregulation is the New York company’s singular focus.
Tim Porth of Octane Fitness talks trends, Zero Runner and the company’s January acquisition by Nautilus Inc.
The principal and founder of Rising Tide Associates talks about industry advocate lobbying for the domestic textile and footwear industries.
The ‘47 brand executive dishes on the Boston company and long-time MLB licensee founded by his father Arthur and his late Uncle Henry.
Pam Gelsomini, president, and CB Tuite, VP–sales, discuss the company’s products, partnerships and what’s new for the season ahead.
The tradeshowdirector for the American Sportfishing Association casts comments on the activity’s popularity, and trends in fishing.
The principal and founder of Rising Tide Associates talks about industry advocate lobbying for the domestic textile.
The VP of sales and sponsorships for Spalding, Dave Coradini talks Shot Tracker and basketball.
The executive brand and product innovation leader dishes to F4M’s Emily Walzer on an array of topics.
Snow Sports Industries of America’s Kelly Davis talks weather, participation trends and how to handle the psyche.
Gene McCarthy, president of Asics America, speaks to Jen Ernst Beaudry on specialty run and more in the second part of the podcast.
Gene McCarthy, new president of Asics Americas, dishes to F4M’s Jen Ernst Beaudry in the first of a two-part podcast.
Saucony’s Richie Woodworth offers his views on brand’s running business and what it takes to manage through change.
Bruce Cazenave, CEO of Nautilus Inc., recently ranked 23rd on Fortune’s “Fastest Growing Companies” list.
Gary Smith has been at the helm of the Lawrence, MA firm for three years, and his 2016 strategies will broaden Polartec’s scope.
Wilson Sporting Goods, one year removed from its 100th anniversary and a major restructuring, has a renewed focus and strategy.
