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

Helping Houston

Photo by: Lt. Zachary West, Army National Guard

Industry companies and sports figures are reaching out to help “H-Town,” the country’s fourth largest metropolitan area with 6.5 million residents and host city to three Super Bowls since 1974.

Camping World, the public retailer launching the Gander Outdoor chain in November, is attempting to raise $4 to $5 million for those displaced and economically impacted by the devastating rains from Hurricane Harvey. CEO Marcus Lemonis took to Twitter to tell folks that all of the chain’s stores across the U.S. will be accepting new or gently used clothing for Houstonites. Camping World, whose store in Katy, TX remained closed yesterday, is promising to transport all items to its doors in San Antonio, TX; Tyler, TX or Shreveport, LA for eventual distribution to those in need.  Additionally, Camping World is promising to match all cash donations made in any of its 139 locations, up to $2 million, to the American Red Cross.

Meanwhile, The NFL Foundation and the league’s Houston Texans and New England Patriots have each pledged $1 million for Harvey relief efforts. Funds from the local franchise and league’s charitable arm will go support the Red Cross and Salvation Army. Patriots’ owner Bob Kraft, who has witnessed two of his team’s five Super Bowl victories in Houston including the overtime win over Atlanta February 5, will match up to $1 million donations to the Red Cross from the champs’ fans.

Bass Pro Shops, still slated to close on its acquisition of Cabela’s sometime this fall, is donating 80 Tracker boats to government agencies and rescue organizations in the Houston market as well as $40,000 worth of food supplies. KL Outdoors/GSC Technologies, which manufactures the majority of its products in Muskegon, MI, is paying for the shipping of 2,000 personal watercraft and a truckload of jon boats purchased by Walmart to the Houston area. Also, KL is donating approximately 50 jon boats to Academy Sports + Outdoors, whose corporate headquarters in Katy, TX is some 30 miles west of downtown Houston, to aid in ongoing rescue efforts.

“In the past, Academy has prided itself on providing a quick response with trucks of supplies to communities impacted by natural disasters. This time, the storm hit home,” the retailer wrote on a Facebook posting. “We are doing everything we can—we’ve made our headquarters available to team members as a shelter and to first responders as their base of operations. We are supporting first responders supply needs in Houston and all of the surrounding communities where we are able, and where we are open, we are helping customers get much-needed items.”
Houston professional athletes are also pitching in with contributions. Texans’ defensive lineman J.J. Watt took to Twitter after his fundraising efforts surpassed $1.5 million, promising to hit the $2 million mark. Later, he upped his goal to $4 million after exceeding $3 million. And NBA point guard Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets donated $50,000 to help those affected by the storm.

Team Buying Groups Co-Locating Fall Shows

The Athletic Dealers of America (ADA) and Nation’s Best Sports (NBS) are partnering to co-locate their 2017 Fall Buying Shows at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Oklahoma City, OK from November 10-12. Both NBS and ADA are expected to maintain their respective identities during the co-hosted event that will enable exhibitors to save travel time and expenses.

“(This) will allow us to re-invest in growing the team and retail athletic business,” said NBS President Jim Chandley.

ADA President Peter Schneider called the co-located buying show “a positive” for both groups, show vendors and sales representatives that will improve productivity for all attendees while also reducing costs for vendors who will no longer have to attend multiple shows.”

DSW Growth Strategy Takes Aim at Dick's, Foot Locker, Athletics

DSW is getting more aggressive in the athletic footwear category. DSW has hired former Foot Locker, Dick’s and Academy Sports + Outdoors executive Kirk Persson as SVP/GMM for men’s and athletic.

The parent of 510 Designer Shoe Warehouse stores is stepping forward with a growth strategy that relies on more technology investments; greater leverage of its 25 million frequent buyers with more customer services and experiences; learnings from a new store prototype that puts 40 percent more styles and sizes on the warehouse floor; and more emphasis on kids and athletic styles in its assortments. The retailer said performance and fashion athletic outperformed its period growth that will lead to new brands and exclusive offerings going forward.

“…We have chosen to invest in marketing this fall to re-inforce DSW’s mind share in our trading area and compete fiercely in the balance of the year,” CFO Jared Goff told analysts last week as DSW reported its first positive quarterly comparable sales increase since 2015 and a 3 percent increase in total sales to $680 million.

The first phase of DSW’s new customer loyalty program is scheduled to rollout in Spring 2018 with a number of new services and quicker ways for members to earn rewards. Management is short on specifics on the timetable for a new store redesign rollout, but confirms it will allow for “more compelling product stories and creates room for new…ways to serve previously unmet customer needs.”

Poff and CEO Roger Rawlins did confirm the retailer is co-developing proprietary software that will enable “full visibility” throughout the channel, allowing customers to see online what they have bought, where they bought it from and their personal wish lists. Already, 50 to 60 percent of the retailer’s digital demand is being fulfilled by stores, partially through buy online, pick up in store. Kids’ offerings, currently in 60 percent of stores, are being added to 100 more locations next spring.

Retail Giants Making Moves

With the crucial fourth quarter five weeks away and Amazon’s influence and dominance among consumers continuing to rise, other large retailers aren’t standing idly by. Instead, they are making key investments and changes to shore up their respective strategies to compete more effectively for consumer shopping dollars tomorrow and beyond.

Former eBay SVP Hal Lawton will join Macy’s as president on September 8 where he will work alongside CEO Jeff Gennette. The retailer is streamlining its merchandising, private label and planning function into a single operating unit that’s will result in approximately 100 job cuts but annualized savings of $30 million. Jeff Kantor, a 35-year Macy’s veteran, is taking over as Chief Merchandising Officer and will help oversee an internal movement to increase the banner’s exclusive merchandise assortment to 40 percent of total from 29 percent currently. Last week, the retailer tapped BBDO NY as its new creative agency of record.

At Walmart, the discount behemoth is partnering with Google. The partnership is about Walmart selling more products on Google Home voice-activated devices and having orders delivered by the Google Express shopping and delivery service, which has eliminated membership fees and other requirements. Costco and Bed Bath & Beyond already sell through Google Home.

Target, meanwhile, is spending an estimated $5 million per location on 110 remodels this year as part of a multi-year effort to refresh more than one-third of its 1,800 locations by the end of 2019. At least part of the inspiration for the new in-store looks will come from the chain’s new $10 million makeover of a downtown Minneapolis store that features embedded beacons in all light fixtures. The technology will allow shoppers to open a map in their Target app, locate themselves and find special Cartwheel offers.

Additionally, Target is overhauling its portfolio of private brands by launching 12 new labels over a two-year period and moving toward a “stronger everyday price proposition” with a pullback on excessive promotions. With its Cat & Jack kids’ brand recently crossing $2 billion in sales, Target is slated to launch Joy Lab, a new women’s athletic fashion apparel brand that inspires fitness through fashion, in October. Also, for the holiday season, Target intends to increase the number of ship-from-store locations for digital orders to 1,400 by adding 350 more stores to the service.

“When we are at our best, our model delivers the best of both mass and specialty retail,” Target CEO Brian Cornell told analysts earlier this month.

Retail Round-Up
Adidas Partners with Concepts

Adidas, perhaps taking advantage of the 152,000 college students that will descend on Boston this month to attend one of Beantown’s 35 colleges, universities and community colleges, partnered with boutique operator CONCEPTS to open a new store at 73 Newbury Street on Friday. Friends and Family of the new adidas CONCEPTS locations were given pairs of custom UltraBoost 3.0. Days before the official opening, the Three Stripes and retailer launched a citywide scavenger hunt with a series of 21 keys that had the possibility to unlock a giveaway package of special adidas releases. Besides its new Newbury Street store, CONCEPTS has stores on Hudson Street in New York City, in Cambridge, MA near Harvard and in Dubai.

Elsewhere,
ASICS America has opened its first store in The Gopher State. The 2,095-square-foot store, featuring the brands running and training gear is located in the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.
Modell’s Sporting Goods increased its door count to 159 with the opening of its second Harlem store on 125th Street on August 24.
The Finish Line is partnering with Migos, naming the hip-hop group as creative directors for the Indianapolis-based retail chain. Migos is expected to develop the overall style and theme for several upcoming FINL product shoots.
REI received more than 500 submissions for its nonprofit Force of Nature Fund that will ultimately support 26 organizations with grants from the co-operative ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Those receiving funds include the Ice Age Trail Alliance of Wisconsin ($15,000) and Big City Mountaineers ($25,000).

NB Nets Huge IP Win in China

Earlier this month, a Chinese intermediate court ruled that three Chinese defendants—Zheng Chaozhong, Xin Ping Heng Sporting Goods Ltd. and Bo Si Da Ke Trading Ltd.—who made shoes under the New Boom brand have infringed on the Boston company’s signature slanting “N” logo and were ordered to pay 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) in damages to New Balance.

Immediately, attorneys called the court award the largest ever granted to a foreign business in China. The ruling was disclosed weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced he would work to punish the country’s trademark infringers, and President Trump ordered an investigation into the Asian nation’s IP practices.

“Although this sort of decision is still rare, it sends a strong and powerful message that should make it easier for foreign brands doing business here,” Carol Wang, a lawyer representing New Balance told Reuters.

New Balance, which has been in the Chinese market for nearly 15 years, has more than 2,000 stores on the mainland. According to the court decision obtained by the New York Times, the defendants in the case “seized market share from New Balance” and “drastically damaged the business reputation” of the brand.

Connect Going It Alone Until Fall '19

The paper-writing, invitation-only trade show from the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance will not co-locate with Outdoor Retailer until at least Fall 2019 following a unanimous vote by the GOA board earlier this month. Under the guidance of GOA President Rich Hill, Connect is currently searching for venues for its Fall 2018 and Summer 2019 shows. The search is expected to be nationwide, including the Rocky Mountain region. An announcement on venues through Summer 2019 should come over the next month.

Connect will be in Knoxville, TN this fall (Nov. 7-10) and in Spring 2018 (June 14-17).

“As you know, Connect is uniquely built around the buyer experience, prioritizing efficiency, and enabling easy ‘connections’ to be made among attendees,” Hill write to GOA members recently. The 170,000-square-foot exhibition, which regularly features the top 30 percent of the nation’s outdoor specialty stores, aims to be in a location within walking distance of lodging, restaurants and other amenities. Recent attendance was up 12 percent year-over-year with the number of attendee appointments increasing 20 percent to 6,800.

Hall says Connect’s objective remains to eventually co-locate with OR, but adds the scenario will only occur when “the location allows us to maintain or exceed the value delivered at previous venues.

“It will always be committed to efficiency and ease of attendance, will always be built around the buyer experience, and will always be a place that creates easy “connections” among attendees.”

Dominican Republic Sets Footwear Strategy

The first two phases of a five-year development plan aimed at attracting more footwear manufacturing to this Caribbean nation of 10.65 million on the eastern half of Hispaniola are nearing completion. The Dominican government, which has made growing the country’s footwear industry a top priority since 2014, has completed construction of the Footwear Training and Technology Institute (FTTI) in Santiago de los Caballeros.

In 2014, the Dominican Republic government created the National Footwear Commission (NFC) to identify all legal, economic, financial and operative measures that must be taken to increase the nation’s annual footwear exports to 50 million pairs by 2020. Currently, 29 operating companies, up from 19 in 2010, produce styles for more than 25 brands, including Timberland, Justin Boots, Sperry Top-Sider, UGG, Cabela’s, Cole Haan and Clarks. Footwear exports rose nearly 36 percent between 2010 and 2016 to $425 million. The country’s second-largest city of Santiago currently hosts more than 93 percent of all footwear and leather manufacturers, which generate more than 17,000 direct jobs. The D.R. government is intent on training at least 30,000 for jobs in the footwear sector before 2020. That task will be made easier with the installation of sewing, cutting and finishing equipment from Taiwan that be installed in the FTTI in November and December. Subsequently, the FTTI will set about preparing and certifying 180 trainers for its own operation and existing factories.

In 2019, phase three and four of the country’s footwear development strategy—preparing and certifying at least 20 specialists in footwear engineering/shoemaking and creating training and certification capabilities for product design and development—will be implemented. Additionally, teachers will be certified to teach courses on quality standards, certification and product safety.

In strategy’s final phase in 2020, the Dominican Republic intends to establish an analytical testing laboratory for footwear that will test materials, components and finished goods in a number of areas. The country also continues to work on infrastructure improvements, including electricity where five new plants went online in 2016.

Changes Coming to U.S. Public Lands

U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke confirmed last week that none of the 27 U.S. monuments, designated over the last 21 years will rescinded. But Zinke did see he advocate for boundary changes to “handful” of monuments and may consider allowing drilling, mining or other industries on the sites.

The Secretary’s vague decision, which offered few specifics, came four months after a Trump Administration executive order directing the department to review all monuments. It also was made a week he received a letter from more than 350 outdoor businesses and executives that underscored the importance of the monuments. Earlier this summer, Zinke confirmed no changes would be made at monuments in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Washington but that Bears Ears in Utah would be downsized.

In another development, the National Park Service last week rescinded a five-year old “water bottle ban,” suggesting visitors can best decide how to hydrate themselves and their families. After the action, 23 of the country’s 417 NPS sites stopped selling bottled water in an effort to reduce litter. Despite the reversal, national parks will continue to urge visitors to pack their own bottles and use refill stations instead of throwaway bottles.

The Buzz

Escape Fitness, ahead of Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather boxing match against the UFC’s Conor McGregor, announced that its equipment has been installed in the new UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Escape products in the 30,000-square-foot facility for all athletes competing under the UFC banner include the brand’s fitness competition kettle bells, a Lateral Speed Resistor and the Reaction Probounder.

Fanatics is reaching potential customers via 25-percent discount coupons adhered to the side of coffee cups from Dunkin Donuts.

Sports & Fitness products will receive an aggregate $16.5 million annually in tariff relief in the proposed Miscellaneous Tariff Bill package that will go before Congress in November. The reduced rates would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018 and last three years before they would need to be renewed.

Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour will increase their respective Direct-to-Consumer sales in the U.S. by $3 billion, 500 million euros and $375 million by 2021, according to Cowen estimates.

PGA Reach, the charitable arm of the PGA of America, is named an official charity partner of the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon on November 5.

Tubes of the Week

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Numbers In Play
Week of 8/17-8/24
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
Better week for the segment with nine up and six down, but the “heavy hitters” in DKS, FL and FINL dragged down the INDEX score to a new depth. For Dick’s, short-term woes continue. Stock rating is lowered in the face of the retailer’s increased digital competition, shipping and merchandise margin pressures and ongoing headwinds in the athletic space. Foot Locker fortunes will improve with a further shedding of BAU (Business as Usual), a rebound in its premium basketball business this fall and more expressions of nimbleness. Finish Line strikes a partnership with Migos, likely in an effort to improve its “coolness” with the fickle set, and lands favorable publicity for its decision to donate land for an urban farm on the east side of Indianapolis. Tilly’s second comparable store sales rose 2.1 percent, the high side of its outlook, on strong traffic and ecommerce business. Early back-to-school sales described as “encouraging.” Hopes to upgrade point-of-sale and CRM systems before holiday season.
Brands
Segment generated more than 1.5 percent gain for the week despite having 11 entrants down for the week against four up. Acushnet Holdings launched its new 718 Series Titleist irons this week, including the new AP3. Fitbit’s gain was prompted by takeover speculation by an insurer. But some circles called the rumors ridiculous. Nike may be on a new race to align the brand with more music artists. Swoosh has a deal with Skepta, the British-Nigerian musician who collaborated on a remake of the Air Max ’97 that hits retail Sept. 2 as “skAIR.” Under Armour takes another hit on reports it “dissed” Dick’s and its selling of full-margin products to strike a partnership with Kohl’s.

RETAIL: 61

38.56%

BRANDS: 92

8.18%

Retail Name (Ticker Symbol)
Close on 08/17/17
Close on 08/24/17
% change over time
Big 5 Sporting Goods (BGFV)
BGFV
$7.65
$8.05
+5.23%
Cabela's (CAB)
CAB
$52.52
$54.00
+2.82%
Camping World (CWH)
CWH
$34.83
$36.35
+4.36%
Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS)
DKA
$27.74
$26.22
-5.48%
Finish Line (FINL)
FINL
$11.99
$10.29
-14.18%
Foot Locker (FL)
FL
$47.71
$34.78
-27.10%
Genesco (GCO)
GCO
$26.00
$25.35
-2.50%
Hibbett Sports (HIBB)
HIBB
$11.50
$11.75
+2.17%
Kohl’s (KSS)
KSS
$37.12
$38.45
+3.58%
Macy’s (M)
M
$19.65
$20.70
+5.34%
Sportsman’s Warehouse (SPWH)
SPWH
$3.46
$4.06
+17.34%
Shoe Carnival (SCVL)
SCVL
$16.86
$16.38
-2.85%
Tilly’s (TLYS)
TLYS
$8.74
$9.42
+7.78%
Walmart (WMT)
WMT
$79.70
$78.27
-1.79%
Zumiez (ZUMZ)
ZUMZ
$12.00
$13.00
+8.33%
Brand Name (Ticker Symbol)
Close on 08/17/17
Close on 08/24/17
% change over time
Acushnet Holdings (GOLF)
GOLF
$16.02
$16.65
+3.93%
adidas (ADDYY)
ADDYY
$111.71
$110.93
-0.70%
Amer Sports (AGPDY)
AGPDY
$27.96
$26.31
-5.90%
Callaway (ELY)
ELY
$12.99
$13.29
+2.31%
Columbia Sportwear (COLM)
COLM
$57.63
$56.29
-2.33%
Deckers Brands (DECK)
DECK
$63.45
$62.54
-1.50%
Fitbit (FIT)
FIT
$5.27
$5.67
+7.59%
GoPro (GPRO)
GPRO
$9.32
$9.13
-2.04%
lululemon (LULU)
LULU
$58.96
$60.02
+1.80%
Nautilus (NLS)
NLS
$16.58
$16.55
-0.18%
Nike (NKE)
NKE
$57.49
$53.83
-6.37%
Skechers (SKX)
SKX
$27.38
$27.17
-0.77%
Under Armour (UA)
UA
$16.29
$15.74
-3.38%
VF Corp. (VFC)
VFC
$63.09
$62.90
-0.30%
Wolverine Worldwide (WWW)
WWW
$26.16
$26.13
-0.11%

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.