EXEC: UK’s Shoe Zone Posts Steeper Loss in Half as Sales Drop 12 Percent
Shoe Zone, the UK’s biggest off‑price shoe retailer, posted a net loss of £5.3 million (about $7.2 million) for the six months to 28 March, more than double the loss a year earlier. Revenue fell 12 percent to £62.9 million ($85.8 million) as the chain operated 19 fewer stores, leaving 53 Original‑format and 206 larger‑format outlets. Digital sales dropped 6 percent to £17.1 million, and a £500,000 impairment charge further dented earnings. The company cut its full‑year guidance to a £1‑2 million loss, abandoning a prior profit forecast.
Target Realigns Merchandising Team
Target announced a leadership reshuffle that places three long‑time insiders in senior roles reporting to new chief merchandising officer Cara Sylvester. Gena Fox, with Target since 2000, is promoted to senior vice president of design, shifting from her previous apparel...
PGA Tour Superstore Sets Grand Opening for Store at Jersey Shore
PGA Tour Superstore announced the grand opening of its first Jersey Shore location on July 11, 2026, in Ocean Township. The 30,000‑square‑foot store at 2353 NJ‑66 features a 1,100‑square‑foot indoor putting green, two swing‑analysis studios, custom‑fitting bays, and dedicated practice areas. The...
EXEC: Callaway Hikes Outlook on Resilient Demand for Golf Balls, Clubs
Callaway Golf posted a strong Q1, with revenue of $687.5 million, up 9.2% YoY, and adjusted EBITDA of $163.7 million, beating guidance. The company lifted its full‑year revenue outlook to $2.02‑$2.07 billion and adjusted EBITDA to $211‑$233 million, citing resilient consumer demand and a...
Winchester Ammo Q1 Profits Slide on Pricing Pressures
Olin Corp.'s Winchester ammunition segment saw Q1 earnings drop 33.3% to $15.2 million, driven by higher commodity metal and operating costs. Despite the profit decline, segment sales rose 21.3% to $470.5 million, helped by stronger commercial ammunition pricing and military project revenue....
Xponential Fitness Sees 6 Percent Same-Store Slump in Q1
Xponential Fitness reported a 6% decline in North America same‑store sales for Q1 2026, while overall revenue fell 21% to $60.7 million as the company transitioned to an outsourced logistics model. The firm trimmed its net loss to $0.8 million (2 cents...
EXEC: Under Armour and Mizuno Brazil Partner Posts Net Income Slide on Higher Debt Load
Brazilian footwear and apparel distributor Vulcabras S.A., which licenses Under Armour, Mizuno and its own Olympikus brand, posted a 10.7% year‑over‑year revenue increase to R$776.4 million (≈ $155 million) in Q1 2026, driven by a 10.5% rise in athletic‑footwear volume and strong brand...
Fox Factory Q1 Hampered by Tariffs, Inventory Destocking in IBD Channel
Fox Factory Holding Corp. posted first‑quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $368.7 million, a 3.9% year‑over‑year increase that hit the top of its guidance range. Powered Vehicles Group drove growth with a 17.4% sales jump, while Specialty Sports Group fell 8.7%...
Black Diamond Parent Reveals Plan to Explore Sale
Clarus Corp, the parent of Black Diamond and several adventure‑focused brands, announced a board‑led strategic review that could include selling all or part of the business. First‑quarter 2026 sales rose 2.5% to $61.9 million, with the Outdoor segment up 1.2% and...
EXEC: Kontoor Brands Sees Lee Divestiture as Path to Accelerate Helly Hansen’s Growth
Kontoor Brands announced it will divest its Lee denim business to sharpen focus on Wrangler and the recently acquired Helly Hansen outdoor and work‑wear brand. The move follows a strong first‑quarter performance, with total revenue of $808 million beating estimates and...
EXEC: Thule Group Acquires Dog Harness Maker Curli AG
Swedish outdoor‑gear maker Thule Group announced the acquisition of Swiss dog‑harness specialist Curli AG for SEK 118 million ($13 million). Curli, which posted SEK 75 million ($8 million) in revenue in 2025, brings a premium line of vest‑style harnesses for small dogs to complement...
Sturm, Ruger’s Profits Decline on Proxy Contest Costs
Sturm, Ruger reported a sharp earnings decline in Q1 2026 as it absorbed $3.2 million in legal and advisory fees and a $1.7 million one‑time charge tied to a strategic cooperation agreement with Italy’s Beretta Holding. The deal lets Beretta nominate up...
Outdoor Research Names Scott Kerslake Acting President
Outdoor Research announced that Scott Kerslake will serve as acting president starting May 11, while the board searches for a permanent leader. Kerslake, the founder of Athleta and former CEO of Prana, brings a track record of sustainability‑focused growth. He replaces...
BOA Paces CODI’s Active Lifestyle Growth in Q1, 5.11 and PrimaLoft Show Declines
Compass Diversified (CODI) posted mixed Q1 2026 results, with BOA sales up 6.7% to $52.1 million and adjusted EBITDA rising 10.7% to $22 million, while 5.11 and PrimaLoft revenues fell 4.2% and 7.3% respectively. Velocity Outdoor turned EBITDA positive, growing sales 4.7%...
EXEC: Nidecker Group Adds Europe Distribution for Etnies, éS, and Emerica
The Nidecker Group has signed OneTurn as the lead distributor and regional operations partner for its skateboarding brands Etnies, éS and Emerica across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). OneTurn will oversee wholesale, e‑commerce, regional marketing and apparel development...
Survey: Memorial Day Spending Projected to See Significant Decline
RetailMeNot’s survey of 1,023 U.S. adults shows average Memorial Day spending expected to drop to $86, a steep decline from $289 last year. While overall spend per shopper falls, 54% say they’ll buy something, up from 36% previously. Grills, summer...
Skechers’ Debt Ratings Upgraded on Loan Term Repricing
S&P Global Ratings upgraded the first‑lien debt of Beach Acquisition Co. Parent LLC, the entity behind Skechers U.S.A., from BB‑ to BB following a proposed repricing of its 2032 term loans. The repricing trims the interest rate by 25‑50 basis...
Castore Secures £90M Credit Facility to Support Growth
Castore, the Manchester‑based sportswear label, secured a £90 million ($122 million) credit facility from HSBC UK, BNP Paribas and Lloyds to fund its next phase of growth. The financing will back the opening of additional UK stores and accelerate expansion into key Middle...
Ocean & Earth Appoints Smith Optics Exec as Marketing Chief
Australian surf‑accessories brand Ocean & Earth named Thomas Edgar, former global eyewear marketing manager at Smith Optics, as its new head of marketing. Edgar brings 15 years of experience across Australian surf and outdoor firms, most recently steering Smith Optics'...
EXEC: Descente Sees Fourth Consecutive Year of Record Profits
Descente, the Japanese sporting‑goods brand owned by Itochu Corp, posted a fourth straight year of record earnings, with ordinary profit climbing 16.2% to ¥15.1 billion (about $96 million). Sales fell 6.8% to ¥119.3 billion (roughly $755 million), as declines in Japan and South Korea...
Life Time Raises Outlook as Q1 Beats Plan
Life Time Group lifted its 2026 outlook after Q1 adjusted earnings surged 23.5% and revenue climbed 11.7% to $788.7 million. Membership rose modestly to 837,903, driven by higher dues and an improving mix, while net cash from operations increased 8.1% to...
Silencer Central Makes Key Sales and Marketing Hires
Silencer Central, a leading suppressor retailer, announced three senior hires on May 5, 2026. Ryan Houck joins as senior director of marketing, bringing experience from Duluth Trading, Timberland and Nike. Daniel Baugher becomes director of sales after stints at Black...
8AM Golf Invests in Newly Formed McLaren Golf
8AM Golf announced it will serve as investor, partner and advisor to the newly launched McLaren Golf brand, which debuted on April 29 in Miami alongside the Formula 1 Grand Prix and PGA Tour Cadillac Championship. The initial product line features...
Bass Pro’s Debt Ratings Upgraded to Stable
S&P Global Ratings lifted the outlook on Great Outdoors Group LLC, the parent of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, from negative to stable after a better‑than‑expected first‑quarter performance. Sales grew in the mid‑single‑digit range, led by strong demand in the...
Academy Sports Debt Ratings Outlook Lifted To Positive by Moody’s
Moody’s upgraded Academy Sports & Outdoors’ debt‑rating outlook to positive, citing markedly lower leverage and robust free‑cash‑flow generation. Since 2020 the retailer has repaid roughly $1 billion of funded debt, bringing its 2025 debt‑to‑EBITDA ratio to 2.1× and EBIT‑to‑interest coverage to 4.2×. Moody’s...
Winnebago Adds Dick’s Marketing and E-Com Exec to Board
Winnebago Industries appointed Emily Silver, senior vice president of marketing, e‑commerce and athlete experience at Dick’s Sporting Goods, as an independent director on its board. Silver will also sit on the technology and human resources committees. Her résumé includes 16...
EXEC: Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle Sees U.S. Wholesale Returning to Growth in Second Half
Columbia Sportswear posted a flat Q1 top line, with U.S. wholesale sales down 10% while international revenue rose 16% year‑over‑year. CEO Tim Boyle said the dip reflects a deliberate reduction in winter inventory and temporary tariff pressures, but a stronger...
Coleman, Contigo and Marmot Parent Sees Outdoor Segment Widen Q1 Operating Loss on Lower Sales
Newell Brands reported that its Outdoor & Recreation segment, which includes Coleman, Contigo and Marmot, posted net sales of $175 million in Q1 2026, a 5.7% decline from $182 million a year earlier. The segment’s operating loss widened to $7 million, or –4.0%...
Snow Peak Debuts Seattle Store and Community Hub in Fremont
Snow Peak, the Japanese outdoor lifestyle brand, is opening its fourth North American retail location in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. The 3,700‑square‑foot store, featuring a 500‑square‑foot patio, will showcase camping gear, apparel and outdoor living items while serving as a community...
Five Iron Golf Opens First Location in Saudi Arabia
Five Iron Golf launched its first Saudi Arabian venue inside Riyadh’s PIF Tower, occupying over 12,000 square feet. The indoor complex features 11 high‑tech simulators from Trackman and Golfzon, a full‑service bar, kitchen, and flexible event spaces. Developed with Golf...
Brunt Workwear Opens First Store
Boston‑based Brunt Workwear, founded in 2019, opened its first 3,000‑square‑foot flagship store on Main Street in North Reading, Massachusetts. The brick‑and‑mortar location follows a 2024 push into wholesale partnerships with retailers such as Boot Barn and Scheels. Brunt says the...
Gildan Activewear’s Q1 Impacted by Planned Inventory Reductions
Gildan Activewear reported Q1 2026 net sales of $1.17 billion, a 63.8% year‑over‑year increase driven largely by its December acquisition of HanesBrands. The boost was partially offset by a 9.3% pro‑forma decline because the company deliberately cut sell‑ins to trim...
EXEC: Escalade Inc. Ekes Out Q1 Sales Increase on Gold Tip Acquisition Upside
Escalade Inc. posted first‑quarter 2026 net sales of $55.8 million, a modest 0.6% year‑over‑year increase driven primarily by the recent Gold Tip archery acquisition and solid demand in billiards and safety categories. Gross margin rose 408 basis points to 30.7% as lower...
EXEC: Crocs See DTC Strength Offset Steep Wholesale Declines in Q1 Beat
Crocs Inc. reported Q1 2026 revenue of $921 million, a 1.7% decline but well above the 8% drop analysts expected. Wholesale volumes fell sharply—18.9% for the Crocs brand and 24.7% for HeyDude in North America—while direct‑to‑consumer sales surged, especially a 31.2%...
S&S Activewear’s Debt Ratings Downgraded on Weak Sales Trends
S&P Global Ratings cut S&S Activewear’s issuer credit rating to B‑ minus from B, citing soft revenue trends and elevated leverage. The company ended fiscal 2025 with 8.6‑times leverage and free operating cash flow to debt below 1 percent, reflecting...
Aligned Fitness Acquires Six Club Pilates Studios in Ohio
Aligned Fitness Holdings has acquired CAM Pilates, a Columbus‑based franchisee operating six Club Pilates studios, raising its total portfolio to 55 locations. The deal marks the company’s first major push beyond its Southeast stronghold into the Midwest, targeting the high‑demand...
Rocky Brands’ Q1 Sales Jump 9 Percent Due to XTRATUF and Muck Momentum
Rocky Brands posted a 9.1% rise in first‑quarter net sales to $124.4 million, driven by strong demand for its XTRATUF and Muck boot lines and robust online growth. Gross margin slipped 470 basis points to 36.5% as tariff‑related sourcing costs added...
Sierra to Open First Florida Store, Fourth Kentucky Location
Sierra, the outdoor‑themed off‑price chain owned by TJX Companies, announced it will open its first Florida store in Jacksonville and its fourth Kentucky store in Owensboro on May 30, 2026. The Jacksonville location occupies a 16,700‑square‑foot space previously held by Petco...
EXEC: New Balance Targeting Growth in Middle East
New Balance is positioning the Middle East as a core growth engine, now operating a 90‑store network that delivered a 35 % sales increase in 2025, outpacing its other markets. The company opened 15 new mono‑branded stores that year, twice the...
S&S Activewear to Become Exclusive Distributor of Legends Apparel
S&S Activewear announced it will serve as the exclusive distributor for Legends Apparel in the team and corporate channels, starting in June. Legends, an athlete‑owned performance brand backed by Quavo, Baker Mayfield, Larry Nance Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins, will launch nine...
National Lacrosse League Inks On-Field Apparel Deal with Capelli Sport
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has signed a multi‑year partnership making Capelli Sport the league’s official on‑field apparel provider through 2029, replacing its previous deal with Castore. Capelli will supply jerseys, shorts, training gear and develop lifestyle collections for all...
EXEC: Asics Establishes Tech Lab in Japan
Asics will open a dedicated Technical Lab at its Kobe headquarters in December 2027, focusing on custom footwear for elite athletes and rapid prototyping. The facility integrates R&D with the Asics Institute of Sport Science to translate biomechanics data into...
EXEC: Nike To Lay Off 172 Workers at Missouri Air-Sole Facility
Nike Inc. announced it will permanently lay off 172 employees at its Air Manufacturing Innovation (AirMI) facility in St. Charles County, Missouri, effective June 26. The cuts are part of a broader reduction of roughly 1,400 jobs announced last week, mainly in...
Celebrating 21 Years: Reef Sandal with the Built-In Bottle Opener Evolves for a New Generation
Reef commemorated the 21st anniversary of its iconic Fanning sandal, a flip‑flop with a built‑in bottle opener, by launching four new models for Spring 2026. The expanded line—Fanning +, Fanning + Slide, Fanning H2O and Fanning Slide H2O—adds updated comfort technologies and fresh designs while retaining the...
Baffin Recovery Clog Expands on Year-Round Performance Footwear + Apparel Collection
Baffin, known for performance footwear, has entered the recovery‑footwear segment with the new Recovery Clog. The slip‑on clog combines a water‑resistant upper, a built‑in carabiner for packability, and B‑Tek LiteStep compound in the outsole for flexible rebound. It offers a...
EXEC: BSN Sports Confirms Sports Endeavors and Lax.com Acquisition
BSN Sports, the e‑commerce arm of Varsity Brands, announced it has acquired Sports Endeavors, the operator of Soccer.com, and lacrosse retailer Lax.com. The private transactions, whose financial terms were not disclosed, bring more than 800 employees into the BSN portfolio...
EXEC: Xtep Opens Six Stores in Malaysia
China‑based Xtep International opened six new retail locations across Malaysia, covering Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuantan and Shah Alam. The rollout supports Xtep’s aggressive Southeast Asian expansion plan and taps into a growing local running culture. Government backing through the Malaysia...
New Era to Open New York City Flagship
New Era will open its first standalone U.S. flagship in SoHo, New York City on April 27. The 2,500‑square‑foot store blends immersive digital screens, a 15‑foot product display, a floor‑to‑ceiling cap showcase, a customization shop called “The Garage,” and an...
MarineMax Posts Fiscal Q2 Loss on 15 Percent Same-Store Tumble
MarineMax reported a fiscal Q2 loss, with revenue slipping to $527.4 million, a 16% decline from the prior year. Same‑store sales fell 15%, pushing net loss to $2.6 million, or $0.12 per share. The company offset weaker boat sales with growth in...
EXEC: Raymond James Upgrades On Holding, Downgrades Deckers Ahead of Earnings
Raymond James upgraded On Holding to Strong Buy, citing an over‑reacted 16% pullback since its March 3 Q4 release and confidence that co‑founders will steer the company after the CEO’s departure. Analyst Rick Patel highlighted accelerating demand signals, pricing power and...