Retail: 63
+5.62%
Retail: 140
+5.67%
Subscribe Now!
Mon, Aug 28, 2017
Vol 1, Issue No. 33
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Monday, May 14, 2018
Volume 2, Issue No. 19

Finish Line Merger Vote Set for June 11

If all goes according to plan, Finish Line will endure one more Back-to-School season as a publicly traded U.S. retailer and independent rival of Foot Locker. Shareholders of the Indianapolis-based company, which controls more than 3.16 million square feet of retail selling space between its 555 namesake stores and 375 shops inside Macy’s locations, are set to vote on the company’s proposed $558 million acquisition by JD Sports Fashion next month. Barring a government or regulatory snag, the deal should be finalized late in the company’s second quarter or early third quarter. According to filed documents, the transaction has to close by September 25. If the deal falls apart, Finish Line would be required to pay a $28 million termination fee and up to $5.6 million in related expenses. Currently, there are two U.S. lawsuits pending over the proposed merger, alleging a breach of fiduciary duties by Finish Line senior management.

In its recently filed and presumably last annual report, Finish Line reveals that Nike accounted for 66 percent of its annual purchases, down from 71 percent the prior 12 months. Annual net advertising expenses declined 5 percent last year to nearly $36.8 million or 2.0 percent of the retailer’s annual revenues of nearly $1.84 billion versus 2.1 percent of net revenues or $38.7 million the prior year. Finish Line has 3,700 full-time employees and 13,500 total.

A combined Finish Line-JD Sports Fashion would have pro forma annual revenues approaching $6.25 billion. In its most report of annual results in mid-April, JD said, “We believe this acquisition will be transformational for the business in terms of its international relevance with both consumers and the principal brands.”

Champion Enjoys Renaissance

Just over six months away from its Centennial anniversary, Hanesbrands-owned Champion is surging. In HBI’s first quarter, Champion sales grew 17 percent globally in constant currency, bolstered by strong double-digit growth in Europe and Asia and high-single digit expansion in the U.S. Brand sales outside of the mature mass distribution channel grew more than 50 percent on strong consumer demand, shelf space gains in specialty stores and growth from online.   Hanesbrands doesn’t break out specific brand sales within its Activewear segment, but the North Carolina company is clearly trying to take the $1.7 billion business upstream with its de-emphasis on the lower price-point, lower-margin mass channel distribution. Champion, the company’s second largest activewear label behind Hanes, expanded allocations in sports specialty, mid-tier, department stores in 2017 when the brand also experienced higher licensed sales.

“Champion has been one of the key initiatives from the standpoint of creating growth for the business, and we’ve got a great story going on here,” Hanesbrands’ CEO Gerald W. Evans Jr. told analysts recently. “We reunited the brand over the last few years and saw really strong growth in Champion across the world…8 percent in the U.S., 30 percent in Asia and 22 percent in Europe…And it’s not just wholesale. It’s online and it’s in our own stores, particularly in Asia and Europe.”   HBI estimates that 80 percent of Champion’s current sales around the globe are outside mass retail by Champion at Target relationship, more than 15 years old, continues.

“It (C9 by Champion) has some of its best product ever available now, and the productivity continues to improve,” proclaimed Evans.

Of course, there have been growing pains along with Champion’s mounting momentum. Hanesbrands has been dealing with and correcting labor inefficiencies in distribution centers. Also, the company intends to hike unit prices in the second half and in 2019 as it corrects all distribution issues.

Next year, it will be 100 years since the Feinbloom Brothers established Champion Knitting Mills, Inc., a company well-known for its sweatshirts, T-shirts and athletic socks in college bookstores in the 1930s. U.S. coaches adopted the brand’s reverse weave sweatshirt, which was finally issued a patent in 1952, in the 1940s. Later, Champion would forge partnerships with the NCAA, NFL and NBA (Remember the 1992 Dream Team at the Olympics?) and have a half-century relationship with Notre Dame.

Outdoor Insight
Camping World Defends Gander Outdoors Scaling, Costs

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, peppered with questions about the pace of Gander Outdoors’ 2018 store opening schedule and associated expenses related to launching the outdoor specialty chain, pleaded for patience from analysts and suggested the outdoor specialty chain will begin to hit its stride during the important fall/winter season later this year.

“…We chose to start (Gander) from scratch knowing it would run through our (Camping World’s) P&L for a period of time and pay massive dividends going forward,” Lemonis said. “The dividends for me with Gander are more than just the cash flow that it generates.”

Those benefits are said to include 40,000 new members to its Good Sam program that may eventually add another 80,000 members when all the Gander locations are opened.

During its first quarter, CWH realized an $8.9 million loss against adjusted EBITDA from its outdoor stores on $39 million in sales. Besides 42 Gander stores, the segment includes the Overton’s marine operation, The House.com based in Minneapolis, and Uncle Dan’s, Erehwon and Rock Creek, each part of the company’s specialty outdoor group. Camping World is forecasting its outdoor retail business will be a drag on adjusted EBITDA in H1 before being accretive in H2.

“…We’re not nervous about where the industry is, and we have zero hesitation in continuing to open stores,” Lemonis confirmed. “…In fact, we believe that in the next 12-15 months, 25 of the Gander (store) acquisitions will have full (RV) dealership operations inside of them…”

Camping World, which anticipates having 70 Gander locations up and running by summer’s end, is retrofitting some locations with full RV centers. Among them: Augusta, GA; Marion, IL; and Huber Heights, OH.

Some expenses already incurred by Camping World for its fledgling outdoor retail segment include costs associated with the revamping of Overtons.com and the re-opening of Gander’s 600,000-sq. ft. Lebanon, IN distribution center with 600 vendors and 250,000 new SKUs on a new Oracle system.

“And luckily we had store staff from around the country get on school buses and Greyhounds and drive to the DC. And they stayed in hotels and RVs, working 14-15 hours trying to get product out for their stores. What an unbelievable team effort,” Lemonis remarked in describing the process.

“But nobody wants to hear that. What they want to know is that it was a perfect process. And it wasn’t. And rather than continuing to flex that and lose people and break the system, I made the decision that my people were more important than my profits in that moment.”

Helly Hansen Gives Canadian Tire International Access

Canadian Tire’s $771 million acquisition of the Norwegian outdoor brand last week, deemed expensive by some analysts given Helly’s high enterprise value to operating earnings ratio, is expected to open international distribution doors for some of the Canadian retailer’s own brands in the years ahead. The transaction, which includes the assumption of $50 million in debt, marks the fourth acquisition of 141-year old Helly Hansen since 1995. Swedish private equity firm Altor Equity Partners bought a 75-percent stake for $81.5 million in Oct. 2006. Nearly six years later, the Ontario (Canada) Teachers’ Pension Plan acquired that Helly interest for $326 million.

Canadian Tire, which owns the Forzani Group (Sport Chek is its principal banner), will reportedly lean on HH’s expertise for the development and marketing of new products that can be channeled through HH’s existing distribution network. HH, which owns a global ecommerce platform and 57 small stores, distributes its products in 40 countries, The company, which currently employs 1,000 worldwide, generated $359 million in revenues in 2017. That total included a $7.2 million contribution from the Musto sailing brand, which was acquired in Oct. 2017 for $32 million. HH CEO Paul Stoneham last week attributed a current 15-percent increase in wholesale orders to the company’s leaner supply chain, lower product costs and better product quality.

Footwear Insight
Brands Moving Forward After Mixed Results

Mizuno will focus on turning around its business in the Americas and growth in Asian markets over the next three fiscal years as it aims to grow its topline footwear business by nearly 20 percent over the period to the equivalent of about $593 million globally. In FY17 ended March 31, the Japanese company improved its profitability by more than 586 percent to $43.6 million despite a topline decline of 1.8 percent to about $1.65 billion. In the Americas’ region, where the company worked to rebuild its organizational structure and improve its inventory management system to mitigate losses, Mizuno’s total revenue declined 14 percent to the equivalent of $189.7 million. Regional footwear sales were down 25 percent to $71.1 million but annual apparel revenues jumped more than 9 percent to $31.9 million.

At ASICS, sluggish sales in the U.S. wholesale channel contributed to a nearly 27 percent decline in the market in the first quarter ended March 31. Americas’ revenues were off 27 percent to $201.1 million as running shoe sales dipped nearly 21 percent to $194.7 million on a currency-neutral basis.

Meanwhile, at Wolverine Worldwide-owned Saucony, where new senior leadership will be announced this week, a mid-single digit decline in first quarter sales were impacted by fit quality and delivery issues that carried over from 2017, the company reported. While both issues were addressed by Saucony, it’s estimated that it will take a couple of quarters before the brand posts topline growth this year. Saucony, which realized 15 percent constant currency growth in the EMEA region, has received a “very positive” response to its new RIDE ISO program and is planning an accelerated product launch schedule in the second half of 2018.

Footwear Insight
Merrell, Sperry Deliver for Wolverine Worldwide

Both Merrell and Sperry generated first quarter revenue and profit growth that was “ahead of plan,” according to Wolverine, with Sperry delivering its first quarterly growth in several quarters.

At Merrell, period results were driven by strong new product launches, higher at-once business and more first-quality sales with seven million fewer closeout sales year-over-year. WWW senior management says The Outdoor Life, Nature’s Gym and Work segments are all sources of growth for the brand. Merrell, slated to launch its Thermo Rouge product this fall, is forecast to generate “high single-digit” sales growth in FY18.

Sperry, meanwhile, delivered a nearly 35-percent increase in ecommerce sales in the first quarter, benefitting from “more effective” social media prospecting. Sales of boat shoes, a category being de-emphasized, were down 10 percent in the quarter but still accounted for approximately 40 percent of revenues. The brand is forecast to deliver strong women’s sales in the second half and “low single-digit” growth for the full year.

Elsewhere at Wolverine, Chaco’s first quarter sales rose low single digits despite challenging weather conditions across parts of the U.S. The brand, helped by its My Chaco custom program, had a 20-percent increase in ecommerce sales and higher women’s sales helped by “robust growth” from its Z sandal collection.

GOING TO BAT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

In addition to donning pink caps, socks and cleats, hundreds of Major League Baseball players swung custom pink bats on Mother’s Day to raise awareness for the “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative. Since 2006, Louisville Slugger has donated more than 3,500 custom pink bats for the cause. Additionally, the company donates $10 from the sale of each custom pink Louisville Slugger it sells at sluggercustombats.com to MLB Charities to support the fight against breast cancer.

Executives on the Move
Disney Exec to Lead Famous Footwear; Columbia Taps Gap

Molly Adams, EVP of global merchandising and product development for The Walt Disney Company since 2008, will become president of Famous Footwear on May 29. She is replacing the retiring Rick Ausick at the Caleres-owned chain that generated revenues of $1.6 billion last year.

Meanwhile, as first reported by New York Times, five more executives are out or leaving at Nike, including Steve Lesnard, who has been VP/GM of global running for the Swoosh since August 2016. Lesnard is a 20-year Nike veteran, who led the company’s global brand campaigns for the London and Beijing Olympics as global running brand VP from 2008 until 2012.

Among the other Nike departures are: Ibrahem Hasan, senior creative director; Simon Pestridge, head of marketing for performance products; Helen Kim, who lead Eastern North America; and Tommy Kain, a director of sports marketing.

Separately, President Trump is nominating former college and NFL star Herschel Walker to co-chair the President’s Council on Sport, Fitness and Nutrition (PCSFN) with retired New York Yankee pitcher Mariano Rivera and Misty May-Treanor, the Olympic volleyball gold medalist.

Elsewhere, Michael Richardson, a 30-year retail veteran who most recently served as VP of Franchise Product for Gap Inc. where he managed product teams in merchandising, planning and buying for The Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy across 40 countries, is the new VP of Global Merchandising for Columbia Sportswear.

The Buzz

Nautilus enjoyed mixed first quarter results as strong mass retail and modest growth in the specialty and commercial channels were offset by a decline in the company’s Direct segment and lower sales from the mature TreadClimber line. NLS was particularly encouraged by solid period growth for its Bowflex line of cardio products, particularly treadmills, and higher sales from its HVT product line. During the summer, the company will introduce the Bowflex LateralX into the Direct channel with two models.

Sunglass Hut shops will begin rolling out in all 160 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores this month with the full rollout slated for completion by the end of the third quarter. Luxottica, the public Italian parent of Sunglass Hut, says the exclusive eyewear partnership with Bass Pro Outdoor World, LLC should yield $100 million in annual sales once all locations are open. LUX generated essentially flat North American sales in the first quarter on a constant currency basis with the “excellent performance” of Sunglass Hut, Target Optical, Pearle Vision and e-commerce platforms offset by negative sales at Lenscrafters.

Tubes of the Week

-

Numbers In Play
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
Segment is flat with seven up and eight down as the Dow gains 3.7 percent for the period. Walmart makes a statement about its intentions in India, buying 77 percent of Flipkart for $16 billion. Camping World is forced to defend expenses related to getting Gander Outdoors off the ground. CWH, whose shares are down 38 percent since start of the year, sees mid-single digit increase in same store sales this FY. Dick’s gets notified by oldest family-owned firearms maker, Mossberg, that it’s terminating its relationship with the U.S. largest full-line sporting goods retailer. Action is apparently due to DKS decision to hire gun control lobbyist in April. Macy’s shares fell more than 3 percent May 10 after shares were downgraded by Morgan Stanley. Department store chain reports first quarter results on May 16. Zumiez comps rose 1.7 percent for the four weeks ended May 5. First quarter comparable store sales at the 700-door retailer increased 8.3 percent. Period EPS is now expected at the high end of previously disclosed range.
Brands
Segment rallies from prior week with 11 up and only 4 down, gaining nearly 1.5 percent for the period. VFC’s The North Face revenues grew 7 percent in North America in Q1 with DTC up 19 percent. TNF recently debuted its first women’s campaign, Move Mountains. Wolverine’s Merrell brand grew low-single digits in Q1 on higher at-once and first-quality sales that were partially offset by a tough year-over-year comparison. Seven million fewer closeout sales for Merrell in Q1, too. Adidas and Skechers are at legal odds. The Three Stripes scored a court victory over SKX last week when a U.S. appeals court upheld a preliminary injunction preventing Skechers from its selling its Onix style since it mirrors Adi’s wildly successful, iconic Stan Smith. But the same court also reversed an injunction that blocked Skechers from selling its Cross Court shoe. The two companies will reportedly face-off in federal court in Oregon early next month. Under Armour’s annual meeting is reportedly marked by CEO Kevin Plank vowing his dedication to the company and brand, not being distracted by external investments. Nike, according to Concept Kicks/Digital Trends, files a patent for a “rotatable conveyer element” inside a shoe sole to act as an “electronic shoe horn.” Nautilus is introducing the Bowflex LaterX machine, which provides low-impact motion by moving the body in three directions, this summer.

RETAIL: 59

41.12%

BRANDS: 124

24.50%

Retail Name (Ticker Symbol)
Close on 05/03/18
Close on 05/10/18
% change over week
Big 5 Sporting Goods (BGFV)
BGFV
$8.00
$7.70
-3.75%
Sports Direct (LON: SPD)
SPD
$551.49
$559.82
+1.51%
Camping World (CWH)
CWH
$26.11
$23.15
-11.34%
Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS)
DKS
$31.41
$31.34
-0.22%
Finish Line (FINL)
FINL
$13.54
$13.56
+0.15%
Foot Locker (FL)
FL
$41.65
$41.87
+0.53%
Genesco (GCO)
GCO
$41.50
$42.58
+2.60%
Hibbett Sports (HIBB)
HIBB
$27.20
$27.35
+0.55%
Kohl’s (KSS)
KSS
$63.19
$60.53
-4.21%
Macy’s (M)
M
$31.45
$29.41
-6.49%
Sportsman’s Warehouse (SPWH)
SPWH
$4.87
$4.50
-7.60%
Shoe Carnival (SCVL)
SCVL
$24.04
$24.44
+1.66%
Tilly’s (TLYS)
TLYS
$11.00
$10.95
-0.45%
Walmart (WMT)
WMT
$86.23
$82.67
-4.13%
Zumiez (ZUMZ)
ZUMZ
$23.45
$24.10
+2.77%
TOTAL
TOTAL
$985.13
$983.97
-0.12%
Brand Name (Ticker Symbol)
Close on 05/03/18
Close on 05/10/18
% change over week
Acushnet Holdings (GOLF)
GOLF
$22.06
$23.04
+4.44%
adidas (ADDYY)
ADDYY
$117.37
$114.18
-2.72%
Amer Sports (AGPDY)
AGPDY
$31.44
$29.64
-5.73%
Callaway (ELY)
ELY
$17.17
$18.15
+5.71%
Columbia Sportwear (COLM)
COLM
$81.03
$82.38
+1.67%
Deckers Brands (DECK)
DECK
$92.25
$97.61
+5.81%
Fitbit (FIT)
FIT
$4.84
$5.29
+9.30%
GoPro (GPRO)
GPRO
$4.96
$5.56
+12.10%
lululemon (LULU)
LULU
$99.86
$97.91
-1.95%
Nautilus (NLS)
NLS
$14.85
$16.38
+10.30%
Nike (NKE)
NKE
$66.90
$67.93
+1.54%
Skechers (SKX)
SKX
$27.49
$29.23
+6.66%
Under Armour (UA)
UA
$15.57
$16.64
+6.87%
VF Corp. (VFC)
VFC
$78.46
$77.97
-0.62%
Wolverine Worldwide (WWW)
WWW
$29.28
$31.79
+8.57%
TOTAL
TOTAL
$703.53
$713.79
+1.46%

Sports Insight Extra Podcast Series

Nikki Barua

The old way of retail is dead, and there is a massive opportunity to re-invent, proclaims the CEO of Beyond Curious in Los Angeles.

Matt O’Toole

President of Reebok dishes on the brand’s mission and objectives from its headquarters in Boston.

Gabriella Santaniello

Retail expert dishes on what’s going right and wrong in industry today and weighs in on the Walmart vs. Amazon tussle.

Guy Yehiav

The CEO of Profitect addresses the right medicine for changing the paradigm of accountability—prescriptive analytics.

Pat Ryan

Batter Up! The global product director for baseball/softball at Wilson Sports details the new USA Baseball standard that took effect January 1 and what it means when you hit the store this spring looking for a new stick for junior.

Patrick Clark

President of Nextwave, a Buford, GA system integrator, discusses benefits of an on-demand apparel microfactory, a bridge to Just In Time manufacturing, from Sourcing at MAGIC in Las Vegas.

Shawn McBride

Ketchum Sports & Entertainment EVP talks Olympics—impact of three consecutive Games in Asia, social media, corporate guerilla marketing and drawing in younger consumers.

Tyson McGuffin

Tennis pro Tyson McGuffin, 28, talks about the rising popularity of pickleball and how he became a champion in the sport.

Bob Mullaney

The 20-year shoe and retail industry veteran, recently named president and CEO of RG Brands, dishes on the comfort footwear business and Barry’s iconic Dearfoams brand.

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.