Retail: 57
-43.36%
Retail: 112
+12.21%
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Mon, Aug 28, 2017
Vol 1, Issue No. 33
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Monday, December 27, 2017
Volume 1, Issue No. 50

Nike: Strategy Shift Progress Belies Current Numbers

North American footwear sales were down seven percent in its latest quarter, but the company says it plans to “re-ignite the U.S. marketplace” with its direct-to-consumer program and stronger bonds with its best customers and retail accounts. Total N.A. revenues dipped five percent to $3,485 million for the period ended Nov. 30 as apparel sales came in flat.

Nike is promising the second half of FY18, which ends in May, will see accelerated introductions of performance and sport style innovation and enhanced digital commerce offerings globally. Helped by the timing of those product launches, NKE says it’s positioning North America for “a return to sustainable, profitable growth” in late third quarter and into fourth quarter.

  “…Our strategies are starting to pay off as we re-ignite the U.S. marketplace,” Trevor Edwards, Nike Brand president told analysts. “…So, as we execute against our consumer direct offense in the United States, we’re creating a healthier market as we manage supply tightly to demand, deliver stronger, full-price sell-throughs with new innovation…and most importantly, make the investments that fuel long-term growth.”

Nike’s two-pronged approach to re-invigorate the mature U.S. market, estimated to account for only 25 percent of the brand’s incremental growth over the next five years versus 75 percent from international (currently at 55 percent), is focused on stronger bonds with its best customers and retail accounts. Senior executives are steadfast that consumers today are hungry for innovation and new retail experiences, which will, in turn, spark more full-price buying.

The Swoosh says it’s already making inroads with its November re-launch of the Nike+ membership program that offers expert advice, product recommendations via increased engagement and overall conversion. For example, the Nike+ Reserved For You service is said to be converting sales at a rate 40x greater than traditional means. Personalized benefits for Nike+ customers will include offers from Apple Music, Class Pass and Headspace in early 2018.

Meanwhile, the company has worked with wholesale partners Foot Locker and The Finish Line on the development of new brick-and-mortar experiences via a new Los Angeles flagship and the Sneakeasy pop-up store in New York City, respectively. And in the spring, Nike intends to extend its pilot program with Amazon and initiate a pilot with Stitch Fix to bring personalized women’s products to the online personal styling service.

CFO Andy Campion said the company is seeing strong demand and experiencing sellouts with higher-priced products. “We have always seen that as an opportunity to expand the entire spectrum of product offerings across price points as we cascade innovation across styles, categories and price points,” he said.

Retail Round-Up
Holiday Sales Jump 4-6% Range; Gander Outdoor’s Legal Spat

With the important week between Christmas and New Year’s Day still to be counted, early holiday sales forecasts for the Nov.-Dec. timeframe ranged from a 4-6 percent year-over-year improvement. The increase would mark the season’s highest growth rate since 2011. The period’s final six days are projected to account for approximately 11 percent of the season’s final total, or approximately $69 billion, according to Customer Growth.

Ahead of that period, the research estimated total holiday sales were up 5.8 percent in total, or $33 billion, to $598 billion for the period between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24. Mastercard Spending Pulse, meanwhile, which tracks online and brick-and-mortar spending, pegged the holiday sales rise at 4.9 percent, excluding cars, with online sales jumping more than 18 percent.

More confident consumers of all income brackets, better retailer discretion with promotions and markdowns and added retailer confidence bolstered by passage of the tax reform bill in Washington, D.C. each contributed to the expected, better holiday sales results.

Of course, online, which accounted for an estimated 20 percent of all purchases, and relentless attention by retailers, many of whom sought out customers to the bitter end, were also contributing factors. Dick’s Sporting Goods flowed a regular stream of emails to its Scorecard customers. On Dec. 23rd, an email reminded them about the availability of “Buy Online, Pick-up In Store” (BOPIS) while offering $10 off any $50 or more online purchase. On Christmas Day, a holiday greeting was sent out with a reminder of after-holiday sales and the Dec. 26 store opening time of 7:00 a.m.

Elsewhere,
Gander Outdoors, in the early stages of a 15-door, first quarter rollout, was slapped with a trademark infringement lawsuit on Dec. 19 by VF Corp.-owned The North Face. The 15-page complaint alleges Gander’s logo, selected June 29 from consumer submissions in a contest, infringes on TNF’s “Summit Series” marks that were registered in 2008.

• S&P Global Market Intelligence published a list of 15 “Most Vulnerable Public U.S. Department store and Apparel Companies” before the holiday. Besides Sears, most notable were Burlington Stores, Stein Mart and Clarus Corp., parent of Black Diamond.

The Finish Line Bolstered by Remodels, More Attention to Mobile

Third quarter results for the specialty retailer, including a 1.8 percent consolidated net sales increase of 1.8 percent to $378.5 million and 2.3 percent comp gain for its 378 Macy’s locations, topped expectations despite a highly promotional environment for athletic footwear. Meanwhile, FINL reported a 2.3 percent drop in consolidated merchandise inventories to $392.1 million for the period ended Nov. 25.

“Going forward, our focus continues to be on delivering frictionless experiences that lead with mobile,” CEO Sam Sato told analysts last week.

Finish Line, which introduced a new app for its customers earlier this year and subsequent updates, will shortly introduce geo-fencing technology for more tailored offers and in-store opportunities based on the customer’s preferences. Already, the retailer has improved page loads on its site, simplified the checkout process and offered customers the option to track their orders and receive notification of delivery. Digital accounts for 23-24 percent of the retailer’s revenues on an annualized basis. In store, the retailer completed 40 remodels in 2017, including at the Mall of America, that include RFID digital displays that offers customers unique content simply by dropping a shoe on the shelf. Digital sales accounted for 27 percent of its Macy’s revenues in the third quarter.

Turning to product trends, Finish Line says its shift to a tighter, more key item-focused soft goods business is working. Branded apparel sales rose mid-single digit in the period, buoyed by “much stronger” full-priced selling and “significant improvement” in gross margins. On the footwear side, running and basketball comps increased high-single digits in the third quarter as lifestyle sales slipped approximately 20 percent. Basketball was said to rebound nicely after a difficult second quarter, bolstered by solid sellthroughs of Jordan retros and continued strength from Nike signature models that were partially offset by the delayed launch of the Curry 4 from Under Armour. Going forward, the retailer’s outlook on basketball is tempered due to volatility in Jordan retros caused by shifts in the launch calendar and a tighter supply of products. For Spring 2018, Finish Line is optimistic about Nike’s React technology and the launch of the brand’s Shox Gravity design that was developed by the brand’s speed-to-market team.

“We have the ability to see (new) products 9-10 months out,” CFO Ed Wilhelm said. “And we are really confident in a number of things we are seeing.” He cited the original VaporMax and two additional models launched by Nike in early fourth quarter, Max 270, React and an unspecified Adidas introduction set to unveil through Summer 2018.

Added Sato, “It’s still yet to be seen whether all the new introductions…are going to be broad enough to offset some of the margin pressure we believe we’ll continue to see, but the good news is that the innovation pipeline is really full…”

SFIA Re-Elects Chris Clawson, Chairman

Clawson, the former president of Life Fitness, was recently re-elected to a third one-year term as Chairman of the Board at the Silver Spring, MD-based trade association. Additionally, five new SFIA directors have been elected and two re-elected to three-year terms.

New SFIA board members are Mike Dowse, president of Wilson Sporting Goods; Jared Drinkwater, CMO for BSN Sports; John Graham, president of Speedo USA; Fouzan Mansuri, director and category leaders for Sports & Fitness at Amazon; and Matt Stanton, VP of global public policy at Under Armour. Meanwhile, Kurt Tandan, associate general counsel and senior director of corporate affairs at adidas and Mike Zlaket, president and CEO of Rawlings Sporting Goods, have been re-elected to the SFIA board.

The Buzz

Adidas inks a multi-year partnership with NHL defenseman and Olympic gold medalist, P.K. Subban of the Nashville Predators. Separately, the company sees lawyers for its former marketing executive Jim Gatto, file a motion to dismiss in the federal case involving alleged payments to high school athletes to get them to play for Adidas-sponsored universities and sign with the brand after turning pro.

Nautilus recently launched the Modern Movement brand and fitness training line of products designed for those seeking a stronger core and better balance.

Tubes of the Week

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Numbers In Play
Week of 12/14-12/21
The Sports Insight Index is our opinion of what we think are the 30 most important public companies in the industry, 15 vendors and 15 retailers. Space considerations prevent us from tracking more, but we will make changes over time.
Index base of 100 is key to the closing prices of 12/31/14
Retail
A forest of green, just in time for Christmas. Segment gained more than 2.2 percent for the week with 14 out of 15 stocks rising. The only decliner, Sports Direct, was essentially flat. Finish Line shares popped more than 12 percent after top and bottom lines in third quarter exceeded expectations. Genesco, parent of Lids Sports Group and Journeys, would be an inexpensive takeover target for Foot Locker, a SeekingAlpha analyst suggests. Combined company would have more than $10 billion in revenues and an operating margin in the 8-9 percent range. FL, by the way, opens a West Coast flagship in Los Angeles and will hold special events at the store leading up to the NBA All-Star Game in February. Macy’s hires Jill Ramsey as chief product and digital officer, a new position, effective January 8th. The 20-year veteran previously worked for EBay and Walmart.com. Camping World was the title sponsor of a college football bowl game in Orlando between Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State.
Brands
Another forest of green leading up to the holiday week as 14 of 15 stocks gain for the period. Fitbit, the lone exception, suffered an 11 percent decline, likely fallout from two bearish notes by analysts. But a SeekingAlpha author challenged the conclusions, citing incomplete and possibly inaccurate data. Under Armour appears to be getting a better response to the Curry 4 than the Curry 3 introduction and used drones to promote its launch in the San Francisco Bay area. Some think the UA brand is poised to rebound in 2018. Wolverine-owned Saucony is sponsoring two-time Olympian Molly Huddle in her Boston Marathon debut on April 16, 2018. Deckers is still basking in its proxy battle win over activist shareholder Marcato Capital. Acushnet Holdings, parent of Titleist and FootJoy, hits a 52-week high. Columbia Sportswear hires former analyst Christian Boss as director of IR and figures to a get a spark now that winter weather is entrenched in many locales.

RETAIL: 57

43.36%

BRANDS: 112

12.21%

Retail Name (Ticker Symbol)
Close on 12/14/17
Close on 12/21/17
% change over time
Big 5 Sporting Goods (BGFV)
BGFV
$7.40
$7.68
+3.78%
Sports Direct (LON: SPD)
SPD
$500.62
$500.24
-0.08%
Camping World (CWH)
CWH
$44.78
$46.32
+3.44%
Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS)
DKA
$29.20
$30.11
+3.12%
Finish Line (FINL)
FINL
$11.72
$13.20
+12.63%
Foot Locker (FL)
FL
$44.33
$47.98
+8.23%
Genesco (GCO)
GCO
$30.25
$32.40
+7.11%
Hibbett Sports (HIBB)
HIBB
$20.55
$20.90
+1.70%
Kohl’s (KSS)
KSS
$49.78
$53.49
+7.45%
Macy’s (M)
M
$24.80
$25.58
+3.15%
Sportsman’s Warehouse (SPWH)
SPWH
$5.68
$6.17
+8.63%
Shoe Carnival (SCVL)
SCVL
$24.82
$27.29
+9.95%
Tilly’s (TLYS)
TLYS
$14.73
$15.72
+6.72%
Walmart (WMT)
WMT
$97.31
$98.06
+0.96%
Zumiez (ZUMZ)
ZUMZ
$20.00
$21.50
+7.50%
Brand Name (Ticker Symbol)
Close on 12/14/17
Close on 12/21/17
% change over time
Acushnet Holdings (GOLF)
GOLF
$19.96
$20.93
+4.86%
adidas (ADDYY)
ADDYY
$99.20
$100.63
+1.44%
Amer Sports (AGPDY)
AGPDY
$26.44
$27.58
+4.31%
Callaway (ELY)
ELY
$14.64
$15.28
+4.37%
Columbia Sportwear (COLM)
COLM
$68.61
$71.12
+3.66%
Deckers Brands (DECK)
DECK
$74.15
$79.23
+6.85%
Fitbit (FIT)
FIT
$6.82
$6.05
-11.29%
GoPro (GPRO)
GPRO
$7.84
$8.08
+3.06%
lululemon (LULU)
LULU
$74.78
$77.74
+3.96%
Nautilus (NLS)
NLS
$13.65
$14.15
+3.66%
Nike (NKE)
NKE
$64.53
$64.83
+0.46%
Skechers (SKX)
SKX
$36.92
$38.22
+3.52%
Under Armour (UA)
UA
$12.45
$13.97
+12.21%
VF Corp. (VFC)
VFC
$73.35
$74.22
+1.19%
Wolverine Worldwide (WWW)
WWW
$29.00
$31.34
+8.07%

Sports Insight Extra Podcast Series

Bob Smith

The design consultant who began his 20-year career as a graphic artist for Nike dishes on the blur between lifestyle and performance and the importance of Struktur, the creative conference for active, outdoor and urban design.

Rob & Mike Barnes

The co-founders of Selkirk Sports, a Hayden, ID maker of Pickleball paddles and accessories, dish on the rise of the sport that counted 2.5 million participants in 2015.

Brendan Candon

CEO of SidelineSwap, an online marketplace for used sports gear and equipment, dishes on the market and whether it steps on the toes of traditional, full-line retailers.

Dave McGillivray

The long-time race director and long-distance runner weighs in on marathon participation, the future of event marketing and his latest venture that may bring a marathon to a MLB ballpark near you.

Paul Froio

Reebok’s VP of U.S. Retail and Direct-to-Consumer channels talks about the company’s new South Boston headquarters and adjacent global flagship store.

Aquiles M. Bermùdez P.

The former president of the Dominican Association of Free Zone Companies and current member of the National Commission of Footwear addresses the industry, Dominican Republic’s infrastructure and Footwear Technology Institute.

W. Andrew Martin

The managing director for Baird in Charlotte, NC discusses the M&A climate, consumer loyalty to brands today and the impact of private label.

Mark Sullivan

The president of Formula4Media, LLC previews The Running Event conference and trade show set for November 28-December 1 in Austin, Texas.

Bryan Smeltzer

The general manager of Zamst Americas talks sports protectives, dispelling some of the consumer and athlete misconceptions about the category.

Emily Walzer

Formula4Media colleagues Emily Walzer, Textile Insight editor, Jennifer Beaudry-Ernst, footwear specialist, and contributor Kurt Gray, owner of SimplyGrayDesign, dish on key trends from the final Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City.

Judith A. Russell

Shifting consumer purchasing patterns are vital to understanding today’s marketplace. Russell, a marketing and strategic planning professional, offered up her thoughts at TexWorld in New York on a panel with Sports Insight Extra’s Bob McGee.

Will Decker

Family-owned Silicon Valley firm Plug and Play, which dubs itself the “Ultimate Startup Ecosystem,” has raised over $6 billion in venture funding during its 11 years while bringing corporations, venture capitalists and start-ups together.

Matthew Lyon

In the fragmented hydration market, where price points for performance products are on the rise, HydraPak is an OE supplier to numerous brands and has its own lightweight, flexible products.

Eric Hayes

Superfeet Celebrates 40th Anniversary. The employee-owned company introduces footwear and rolls out a 3D printed insole program.

Shawn Neville

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.

Waingarten and Frydlewski

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.

Michelle Carmichael

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. 

Brian Beckstead

Six-year old Altra is teaming with Utah State University to develop outdoor design talent.

Declan Condron

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.

Hugues Gontier

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.

Reza Raji

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.

Jacob Torres Espino

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.

Isabelle Ohnemus

The founder and CEO of EyeFitU, a former investment banker, talks ‘glocal’ assortments, shoppers’ personal sizing and global web payment options.

Tom Cove #2

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.

Matteo Scarparo

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

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.

Rusty Saunders

Industry senior statesman Rusty Saunders dishes on industry leadership, pressing issues and the inactivity pandemic.

Barbara Barclay

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

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

Chris Palmer, Founder and CEO of BoxFox, talks excess inventory and solutions for vendors, retailers and distributors.

Susie McCabe

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.

Tom Cove

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.

Rich Harper

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.

Stephen Lamar

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.

Bill McInnis

The president of Reebok Future discusses the intent of the unit and the brand’s plans to develop footwear in a new way.

Tom Fowler

Polar USA CEO Tom Fowler talks technology and the future of smart wearables.

Paul Schille

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.

Jason Kaplan

Milestone Sports CEO Jason Kaplan dishes on the company’s low-cost, wearable pod and how it will help specialty retailers connect.

Duncan Finigan

OOFOS marketing executive talks about the recovery footwear brand and candidly about her courageous personal health journey.

Matt Priest

Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America President Matt Priest the likelihood of the Trans-Pacific Partnership being passed soon.

David and Josh Higgins

ING Source executives dish about compression technology and the Hickory, NC company’s breakthrough OS1st Brace Layer System.

Charles Liberge

Jones & Vining’s Charles Liberge addresses strategies and directions for the iconic brand.

Jim Baugh

PHIT America’s Jim Baugh dishes on the inactivity pandemic.

Sue Dooley and John Daher

Rockport Group senior executives talk about the brand’s fresh start under new ownership that has a major emphasis on versatility.

Josh Shaw

Mission Athletecare CEO Josh Shaw says thermoregulation is the New York company’s singular focus.

Tim Porth

Tim Porth of Octane Fitness talks trends, Zero Runner and the company’s January acquisition by Nautilus Inc.

David Costello

The principal and founder of Rising Tide Associates talks about industry advocate lobbying for the domestic textile and footwear industries.

Steven D’Angelo

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 and CB Tuite

Pam Gelsomini, president, and CB Tuite, VP–sales, discuss the company’s products, partnerships and what’s new for the season ahead.

Kenneth G. Andres

The tradeshowdirector for the American Sportfishing Association casts comments on the activity’s popularity, and trends in fishing.

Dick Sullivan

The principal and founder of Rising Tide Associates talks about industry advocate lobbying for the domestic textile.

Dave Coradini

The VP of sales and sponsorships for Spalding, Dave Coradini talks Shot Tracker and basketball.

Scott McGuire

The executive brand and product innovation leader dishes to F4M’s Emily Walzer on an array of topics.

Kelly Davis

Snow Sports Industries of America’s Kelly Davis talks weather, participation trends and how to handle the psyche.

Kevin Davis

The CEO of Performance Sports Group dishes on new bat standards and Own the Moment.

Gene McCarthy, Pt 2

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, Pt 1

Gene McCarthy, new president of Asics Americas, dishes to F4M’s Jen Ernst Beaudry in the first of a two-part podcast.

Richie Woodworth

Saucony’s Richie Woodworth offers his views on brand’s running business and what it takes to manage through change.

Bruce Cazenave

Bruce Cazenave, CEO of Nautilus Inc., recently ranked 23rd on Fortune’s “Fastest Growing Companies” list.

Tony Armand

Armand is leading USB, created after the April merger of Shock Doctor and McDavid.

Gary Smith

Gary Smith has been at the helm of the Lawrence, MA firm for three years, and his 2016 strategies will broaden Polartec’s scope.

Marty Hanaka

City Sports CEO Marty Hanaka has 42 years in retail, starting at Sears in 1973.

Mike Dowse

Wilson Sporting Goods, one year removed from its 100th anniversary and a major restructuring, has a renewed focus and strategy.