Retail: 57
-43.36%
Retail: 112
+12.21%
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Mon, Aug 28, 2017
Vol 1, Issue No. 33
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Monday, October 30, 2017
Volume 1, Issue No. 42

Indicators Point to Positive Holiday Season

Both research and economic markers suggest the impending 2017 holiday season will be a solid one, dominated by online shopping, free shipping and affluent consumers. Yet it remains uncertain if retail sporting goods and athletic apparel can take advantage in light of headwinds from the ongoing promotional environment and inventory glut that continues to hinder key players in retail and on the vendor side.

Simultaneous with a second consecutive period of 3.0 percent or better economic growth for the U.S. economy in the third quarter, above economist expectations, Deloitte forecasted U.S. holiday sales will rise 4.0-4.5 percent above 2016 levels. A separate National Retail Federation survey predicts the average consumer spend will rise 3.4 percent for the two months ending December 31.

Not surprisingly, both organizations expect consumers to lean more heavily on online shopping this upcoming season. Deloitte says online spending will, on average, account for 51 percent of consumers’ budgets this year after reaching parity with in-store spending in 2016. FTI Consulting predicts online retail sales will grow at a compound annual rate of 9 percent over the next decade to surpass $1 trillion in 2027 after reaching $445 million this year. The NRF suggests online will be the desired shopping destination of 59 percent of shoppers this year, more than department stores (57%), discount stores (54%) and clothing/accessory banners (35%).

Meanwhile, if one believes a stronger economy has consumers less concerned about paying for shipping charges, think again. Ninety percent of respondents told Deloitte “free” shipping is more important than “fast” delivery with 72 percent planning to take advantage of such offers. Also, vital to shoppers this year—easy returns (44%) and price matching (42%).

Shoppers are projected to spend 25 percent of their holiday budgets on apparel with 43 percent likely to pick up their clothing and accessory purchases in-store.

As for holiday purchases by age and income level, Deloitte found that higher-income consumers ($100K+) will likely spend nearly double the market average ($2,226 vs $1,226). Meanwhile, GenXers, who will spend 52 percent of their holiday budgets online, are forecast to spend $1,252 on gifts versus $1,274 by BabyBoomers. But Millenials intend to shell out 54 percent of their holiday budget online, more than any other group.

Nike Drafting a Naughty & Nice List

A massive revamp of Nike’s global wholesale strategy is underway that will dramatically change how the company does business with both consumers and retailers over the next five years. As it continues developing its digital sales channel and premium in-store experiences at its own concept stores and surviving retail partners, The Swoosh is promising to pare back its current 30,000 retail partners who account for 110,000 points of distribution to only 40 by 2022. Senior executives, speaking at a company investor conference last week, only disclosed Nordstrom and Foot Locker as guaranteed long-term brand partners.

“Undifferentiated, mediocre retail won’t survive,” Trevor Edwards, Nike Brand president told attendees. “We will be shifting away from this over the next five years.”

During that same span, Nike is projecting it will hit its $50 billion annual revenue target by 2020, in part through growth of digital sales to 30 percent of total from 15 percent currently. In its home North American market, revenues are forecast to grow mid-single-digits but physical store sales in the region could flatten or dip.

Among other key developments:
• Nike is investing in product development for women’s apparel, both fashion and performance, as it aims to open 5,000 women’s-specific boutiques with pants and sneakers and go after the likes of lululemon.

• The start of a major supply chain shift is underway. After the process is streamlined, Nike will aim to complete product updates and design changes in less than 90 days and fulfill orders in under two days. The company currently ships 1.3 billion products annually. The automated products target is three million.

• Creating a physical/conversational retail relationship service, Nike Experts on Demand, who are called “elevated store athletes with unique responsibilities.” These experts will engage consumer members of the NikePlus membership program through bookable in-store sessions where they will give advice on new products and motivation to consumers. In November, Nike will debut conversational commerce with the Experts in its app to extend the service outside of stores and across its digital grid. By the end of FY19, the company intends to have global fleet of Nike Experts in place allowing its NikePlus members to chat with pros in all geographies and meet them one on one own stores.

• Nike Connect, the company contends, will “transform our Consumers’ physical worlds into personal, on-demand digital malls.” The new technology resolves consumer frustration of not being able to find for purchase a shoe they discover on social media. Nike says it trained a proprietary network with images of product while it is being manufactured to create a “digital fingerprint.” Additionally, the company intends to go through its massive archive of products to fingerprint popular styles. The result? Consumers will be able to point their mobile device camera at any Nike shoe and have it recognized and be available instantly for purchase. A Nike Connect pilot program launches in December in select Nike stores before the technology is scaled globally both digitally and at physical stores.

Textile Insight
Invista’s Lycra Business Acquired by Chinese Company

Shandong Ruyi Investment Holding, parent of a leading Chinese textile and apparel company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Invista’s Apparel & Advanced Textiles business (A&AT), which includes the global Lycra brand. Purchase price on the transaction, expected to close by mid-2018 after regulatory clearances, was not disclosed.

The deal includes Invista’s portfolio of apparel-focused fibers and brands including Lycra fiber, Lycra HyFit fiber, CoolMax fiber, Thermolite fiber and insulation, Elaspan fiber, Supplex fiber and Tactel fiber products among others; related manufacturing assets, research and development centers, and sales offices around the globe. The unit has global technical, operations, commercial and administrative staff of approximately 3,000.

Invista will retain ownership of its nylon, polyester, polyols and licensing businesses and related brands. This includes Invista’s nylon 6,6 intermediates business, its global nylon polymer and fiber portfolio, and brands including Stainmaster and Antron carpet fibers and Cordura fabric. Invista will also retain its intellectual property rights for 1,4 butanediol (BDO), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) technologies and will continue to license these technologies on a global basis.

“The Apparel business has always been a strategic and valued part of our portfolio,” said Jeff Gentry, Invista chairman and CEO. “We engaged the market because we want this business to be owned by the company that can create the greatest value for customers, employees and stockholders. In this case, we believe that Shandong Ruyi Investment Holding has the knowledge and capability that will enable this business to thrive the most and succeed over the long term.”

“Invista’s world-class assets and consumer-recognized brands are a perfect fit for our growing portfolio of textile-related products,” said Yafu Qiu, Chairman of the Board of Shandong Ruyi Investment Holding. “Over the decades, the Lycra brand has transformed the apparel industry, and continues to do so today. We are committed to taking this business to the next level through continued investment in innovation and the business’ portfolio of consumer-recognized brands. We also see opportunity to leverage Shandong Ruyi Investment Holding’s existing capabilities—including our spandex manufacturing assets—to further enhance A&AT’s position in the global marketplace.”

Camping World Files Secondary; Roots Completes IPO

The new Gander Outdoors specialty chain being launched by Camping World will not make its debut until the first quarter of 2018 when 15-20 locations will be debut. Those will be followed by 40-45 additional doors over the second and third quarters of 2018. Camping World, which initially planned to open its first Gander Outdoors stores next month, disclosed the new schedule during a secondary filing on Oct. 23 announcing the sale of up to 7.7 million shares by selling stockholders.
The public filing also disclosed that Camping World assumed 15 Gander Mountain leases on October 6 through the execution of designation rights, and on October 10 agreed to pay total consideration of $8.2 million, including $7.5 million cash and $700,000 for debt repayment, to acquire all the outstanding capital stock of specialty outdoor retailer Uncle Dan’s. The merchandising team at the Illinois business is expected to guide the merchandising strategy for Gander Outdoors.

Meanwhile, Roots Corp., the Canadian brand and retailer headed by former Wolverine Worldwide and adidas Canada senior executive Jim Gabel, had a less than stellar IPO as it raised C$200 million for selling shareholder Searchlight Capital and co-founders Michael Budman and Don Green. First, the parent of the Canadian outdoor lifestyle brand had to lower its opening price to C$12 from a targeted range of C$14 to C$16. Subsequently, the Toronto Exchange-traded company saw its shares tumble 20 percent at the mid-point of its opening trading session. After the IPO sell-off of 16.7 million Roots shares, Searchlight retains a 48-percent stake with Budman and Green retaining 12 percent equity.

In its IPO filing, Roots detailed plans to grow its U.S. retail base from a current four with another 10 to 14 by the end of FY19. Additionally, the company wants to grow its topline from C$281.9 million in FY16 to C$410-450 million over the next two fiscal years.

Retail Round-Up
J.C. Penney Creates New System; Target Sets Free Shipping

J.C. Penney, which lowered its annual profit goal for the fiscal year and warned of weakening sales on Friday, also disclosed that it is creating a system to streamline its pricing, promotion and markdown strategies under the oversight of new CFO Jeffrey Davis. JCP says the system offered a “more focused view of current sales trends” in the recent third quarter, enabling it to liquidate products that weren’t working and hike spending on new and trending merchandise.

Over at Target Corp., the chain will start free shipping on orders November 1. The retailer is also debuting a service that enables its online customers to send friends and family electronic gift boxes to make changes to items or select entirely different gifts before the order ships.

Meanwhile, Walmart, in its never-ending pursuit of Amazon, is working on developing an online mall at its site and/or on its owned Jet.com site that would bring other retailers, brands and websites on board. One initial sign-on, according to reports, may be Hudson Bay Co.-owned Lord & Taylor.

Finally, according to macrumors.com, Apple Pay is being introduced in all locations of several U.S. chains, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Saks Fifth Avenue and Albertsons. The VP of Apple Pay told an audience at the Money20/20 conference earlier this month that 50 percent of U.S. retailers now accept the mobile payments service.

Callaway Continues Gaining as U.S. Golf Market Stabilizes

Callaway posted strong third quarter results last week, bolstered by its woods business and continued growth in golf ball market share to 14 percent. The company says the U.S. golf market, while down slightly for the year, is continuing to show signs of stabilizing as it anniversaries the 2016 bankruptcy of the Golfsmith chain. Market inventories are lower; the golf retail channel is healthier; product life cycles continue to stretch and average selling prices are rising, including a $500 retail price tag for its EPIC driver.

U.S. sales growth was 33 percent in the third quarter to $123.8 million, outpacing 30 percent overall revenue growth to $243.6 million for the period ended September 30. Nine-month U.S. revenues were up 24 percent to $472.1 million. Callaway is forecasting 18-19 percent annual sales growth to a range of $1.03-1.04 billion.

Following its August acquisition of TravisMathew for $125.5 million, the company finds itself with three separate, independent apparel segments. There is a joint venture with TSI for Callaway apparel in Japan and Perry Ellis Intl. holds the Callaway apparel license for the U.S. and Europe.

“…I believe each one of those is going to provide nice growth opportunities for us going forward,” commented ELY CEO Chip Brewer. “At this point, we’re not at liberty to discuss too much more on a strategy basis for them.”

acquisitions
Goldwin Invests in Woolrich; Bucketfeet Bought

Japan-based Goldwin Inc. has acquired an unspecified minority stake in Woolrich Intl. in a deal expected to help the Woolrich brand expand internationally. Goldwin is assisting the 187-year-old brand develop a men’s premium outdoor collection for Fall/Winter 2018 for distribution in both fashion and outdoor markets in North America, Europe and Asia.

Woolrich Intl., created through a merger of Woolrich Inc. and Woolrich Europe in Fall 2016, generated revenues of $190 million last fiscal year and is projecting average annual topline growth of 12 percent through 2020.

In a separate acquisition last week, Threadless, the global design community, purchased the direct-to-consumer shoe brand, Bucketfeet, enabling it to expand beyond apparel, home and accessory items to on-demand manufactured shoes. Chicago-based Bucketfeet, founded in 2011 to support independent artists through footwear, will maintain its online shop through the holidays. Threadless will eventually integrate Buckfeet’s shop and collection onto threadless.com.

The Buzz

’47 significantly expands its NBA licensing deal, gaining brand rights to use team logos on adult apparel and men’s, women’s and youth headwear. The Boston company will also create products for the NBA All-Star Game, playoffs and NBA Finals. Key distribution channels for the new NBA product include Dick’s Sporting Goods, LIDS and Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Bear Grylls, the adventurer, is partnering with UK-based consumer electronics maker, Lyte Limited, on a collection of action and wearable cameras and power banks. The performance products, designed and orientated for the outdoors, will launch in early 2018 in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Cherokee Global Brands hires Mark Conway, a former Canadian Tire and Walmart Canada executive to the newly-created positon of chief brand and revenue officer.

McDavid adds German soccer goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen of FC Barcelona and the German national team as a global ambassador. The 25-year old will help build awareness and promote usage of McDavid’s patented HEX technology in soccer protective apparel.

Tubes of the Week

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Numbers In Play
Week of 10/19-10/26
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
Good week for the segment with 13 up and only two, Camping World and Sportsman’s Warehouse, down for the period. It was short-lived, however, as both Macy’s and Kohl’s shares took a hit on October 27 after J.C. Penney issued a third quarter profit warning. That news more than wiped out Macy’s 5.7 percent gain from the prior week. Camping World, which saw two investment houses re-iterate their respective “buys” on the stock, filed for a secondary offering of 6.7 million shares. And there was news about the debut of Gander Outdoors (see story above). Genesco, parent of Lids, had to be happy Los Angeles advanced to the World Series. The specialty retailer could also reap big payday if the Astros carry Houston to its first world championship. Also, it should be noted that Lids recently launched a two-tiered loyalty rewards program. To date, approximately 70 percent of the 1.7 million members are enrolled at the premier level that requires a $5 annual fee. Sports Direct, meanwhile, has hired a former equity analyst as head of strategic investments, a new position at the U.K. parent of Eastern Mtn. Sports and Bob’s Stores.
Brands
Segment soars to its highest Index score ever, bolstered by the likes of Deckers, Nike, VF Corp., Columbia and Skechers. Aggregate gain for the period was more than 5.5 percent with 13 stocks up and only two down. Deckers concluded its potential sale of company without a transaction after contacting 90 potential acquirers, including strategic and financial partners over the last six months. The Ugg, Hoka One One and Teva parent has authorized a new $335 million stock buyback program. Nike intends to get more aggressive in the women’s sportswear business, opening in-store “pant studios” in 5,000 locations, that may eat into lululemon’s dominance in the category. Amer Sports’ nine-month Americas’ revenues were flat. Meanwhile, Columbia, which is projecting a return to growth for its U.S. wholesale business in H1/18, proclaims the brand has been gaining U.S. wholesale market share in the current challenging environment. VF Corp.’s new forecast for its Direct-to-Consumer business is for 13 percent growth this FY, up from 10-11 percent previously. Company’s digital revenue should rise 30 percent. Vans’ sales, meanwhile, are now forecast to increase 15 percent this fiscal year. Under Armour’s strategic advisor Kip Fulks is on a sabbatical.

RETAIL: 54

46.09

BRANDS: 105

4.94%

Retail Name (Ticker Symbol)
Close on 10/19/17
Close on 10/26/17
% change over time
Big 5 Sporting Goods (BGFV)
BGFV
$7.28
$7.30
+0.27%
Sports Direct (LON: SPD)
SPD
$509.86
$530.80
+4.11%
Camping World (CWH)
CWH
$43.17
$40.50
-6.18%
Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS)
DKA
$26.00
$26.77
+2.96%
Finish Line (FINL)
FINL
$10.15
$10.35
+1.97%
Foot Locker (FL)
FL
$30.99
$33.07
+6.71%
Genesco (GCO)
GCO
$23.90
$26.30
+10.04%
Hibbett Sports (HIBB)
HIBB
$13.45
$14.05
+4.46%
Kohl’s (KSS)
KSS
$43.86
$44.64
+1.78%
Macy’s (M)
M
$20.19
$21.34
+5.70%
Sportsman’s Warehouse (SPWH)
SPWH
$4.30
$4.23
-1.63%
Shoe Carnival (SCVL)
SCVL
$20.50
$21.98
+7.22%
Tilly’s (TLYS)
TLYS
$12.35
$12.59
+1.94%
Walmart (WMT)
WMT
$86.40
$88.62
+2.57%
Zumiez (ZUMZ)
ZUMZ
$17.50
$18.50
+5.71%
Brand Name (Ticker Symbol)
Close on 10/19/17
Close on 10/26/17
% change over time
Acushnet Holdings (GOLF)
GOLF
$17.96
$18.44
+2.67%
adidas (ADDYY)
ADDYY
$110.61
$111.18
+0.52%
Amer Sports (AGPDY)
AGPDY
$24.32
$24.93
+2.51%
Callaway (ELY)
ELY
$14.22
$14.79
+4.01%
Columbia Sportwear (COLM)
COLM
$60.80
$64.32
+5.79%
Deckers Brands (DECK)
DECK
$64.80
$70.16
+8.27%
Fitbit (FIT)
FIT
$6.11
$6.03
-1.31%
GoPro (GPRO)
GPRO
$9.21
$9.86
+7.06%
lululemon (LULU)
LULU
$60.09
$62.01
+3.20%
Nautilus (NLS)
NLS
$16.90
$16.05
-5.03%
Nike (NKE)
NKE
$52.69
$56.81
+7.82%
Skechers (SKX)
SKX
$24.03
$32.76
+36.33%
Under Armour (UA)
UA
$15.02
$14.65
-2.46%
VF Corp. (VFC)
VFC
$65.35
$70.50
+7.88%
Wolverine Worldwide (WWW)
WWW
$28.06
$29.16
+3.92%

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.