FINANCIALS AND SCUTTLEBUTT
Update from JD Sports group
The JD Sports Group has issued an update on performance following the Christmas trading period.
JD Sports shares dip after share sale
JD Sports shares plunged after the company’s largest investor sold holdings worth £177 million.
Sports Direct ponders name change
Sports Direct International, has announced plans to rebrand itself as Frasers Group.
Columbia director steps down
Sarah Bany, daughter of Gert Boyle and a longtime director of Columbia has resigned from the Board, with immediate effect, in order to focus on administering Boyle’s estate.
Haglöfs chief joins Asics
Former Haglöfs CEO Carsten Unbehaun has joined Asics as the new chief executive of the EMEA region, replacing Alistair Cameron.
VF reveals confident outdoor performance
North Face owner, VF Corporation has published its Q2 results, with sales and operating profit increasing overall and the outdoor segment performing confidently.
Columbia results forecast full-year progress
Columbia Sportswear Company has announced third quarter 2019 financial results for the period ended September 30, 2019 with net sale increasing, but full year growth expected to be flat.
Go Outdoors struggles as JD Sports group thrives
JD Sports has released its half-year results, with revenue and operating profit significantly increased, but the outdoor offering oversahdowed by ongoing travails at Go Outdoors.
Amer suspends shares after Mascot ruling
Amer Sports Corporation has applied for a delisting of its shares from Nasdaq Helsinki
Johnson adds to senior team
Johnson Outdoors has named Larry Baab as group vice president for Camping & Watercraft Recreation.
Pentland hits £5bn mark
Turnover at Pentland Brand has risen to £5bn, while pre-tax profits jumped to more than £500m according to its latest financials.
North Face criticised for Wikipedia meddling
The North Face has been accused of surreptitiously inserting its products into Wikipedia articles about Brazilian mountains.
New supply chain head for VF
VF Corporation has appointed Cameron Bailey to the position of Executive Vice President, Global Supply Chain.
O&CC to close three outdoor stores
Outdoor retail group Outdoor & Cycle Concepts, has announced the terms of a CVA Proposal proposed by the directors of the Company which will see it closing four stores across its portfolio.
Columbia boosts board
Columbia has elected Kevin Mansell to serve as a director and member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committees.
Mascot Bidco completes Amer offer
Finnish company Mascot Bidco has made a cash offer for Amer Sports, which has been accepted by the board.
Amer Sports selling off cycle business
Amer Sports is trimming its portfolio by selling off its Mavic cycling business.
Columbia posts 14 per cent sales rise
Columbia Sportswear announced net sales of $917.6 million for the fourth quarter 2018, an increase of 18 per cent, compared with net sales of $776 million for fourth quarter 2017 with full year sales up to $2.8bn.
Johnson readies Q1 results
Johnson Outdoors will release financial results for the Fiscal 2019 first quarter on Monday, February 4, 2019 before markets open that day.
VF Q3 results see optimism for outdoor business
VF Corporation has reported financial results for its third quarter ended 29th December, 2018, with forecasts for the outdoor sector now revised upwards.
Callaway completes Wolfskin deal
Callaway Golf Company has completed the previously announced acquisition of Jack Wolfskin for €418 million.
Columbia completes Shanghai buyout
Columbia Sportswear has completed its buyout of the remaining 40 per cent interest in Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai) Company, the joint venture in China with Swire Resources Limited, a subsidiary of Swire Pacific Limited.
New face added to Vista Outdoor board
Vista Outdoor has added Michael Robinson to its board of directors.
Polygiene heads to Hong Kong
Fabric technology specialist, Polygiene, is opening a subsidiary, Polygiene Hong Kong Ltd, in Hong Kong, China.
New head for Columbia footwear brands
Columbia has appointed Peter Ruppe as Vice President of Footwear for the Columbia Brand.
North Face owner opening new London office
North Face owner VF Corporation, will open a new office in London next Spring to help fuel growth in the U.K. market.
New CFO for Pentland Brands
Pentland Brands Limited has appointed Katrina Nurse as the company’s new chief finance officer.
Chinese giant joins Amer talks
Chinese social media giant Tencent Holdings is in talks to join a Chinese investor group pursuing a takeover of Finland’s Amer Sports.
Direct channel helps Columbia to record first half
First half revenues passed the $1bn mark for the first time as Columbia announced record net sales of $481.6 million for the quarter ended 30th June 2018
Patagonia and Danner Boots buddy up
Patagonia is partnering with Danner Boots on what will be its first-ever collaboration.
Thule reports Q1 improvements
Thule Group reported first-quarter earnings improved 10.7 percent to SEK 385 million (£33.1m) as revenue increased 10.2 percent to SEK 2.2 billion (£189.4m).
New president for CamelBak
CamelBak has hired Greg Williamson as its new president.
Vista loses another senior exec
Another senior-ranking executive at Vista Outdoor tendered his resignation last week.
Helly Hansen sues Off-White
Norwegian sportswear company Helly Hansen has launched a suit against Virgil Abloh's Off-White for copyright infringement of its striped logo.
Vista offloading eyewear brands
Vista Outdoor has reached a deal to sell its Bolle, Serengeti and Cebe eyewear brands for around $158 million, to a “significant” European private-equity fund.
New VC owner for Didriksons
Adelis Equity Partners has acquired a majority stake in Didriksons from Norway's Herkules Capital.
Aussie map companies merge
Australian mapping and publishing company Hema Maps and Adventures Group Holdings have announced they are merging to create Emprise Group Holdings (Emprise).
Helly Hansen buyout completed
Canadian Tire Corporation has successfully completed the acquisition of the company which owns and operates the Helly Hansen brands and related businesses.
Pentland Group Reveals Full Year Results
Pentland Group has announced its full year results for the year ended 31st December 2017.
New US VP for North Face
North Face owner VF Corporation has appointed Travis Campbell as vice president, general manager, The North Face, Americas.
Columbia caught up in abuse report
Columbia is one of the brands accused in a report by an international watchdog group of ignoring reports of violence and other serious abuses against workers at an Indian clothing factory.
Amer completes Peak buy, appoints outdoor chief
Amer Sports Corporation has completed the acquisition of Peak Performance from IC Group.
JD Sports”on track” says Cowgill
Peter Cowgill, executive chairman of JD Sports will make the following trading statement to shareholders attending its AGM today:
Sports Direct exits as JD reaches Finish Line on deal
Sports Direct has divested all interest in UK sportswear retailer Finish Line, after rival JD Sports completed its $558 million (£396 million) acquisition of the retailer.
VF completes footwear deal
North Face owner, VF Corporation has completed its acquisition of the Altra sports footwear brand from ICON Health & Fitness.
Columbia recruits boost city team
Columbia has boosted its city credentials, recruiting Andrew Burns as director of investor relations and Competitive Intelligence, reporting to senior vice president and chief financial officer, Jim Swanson.
Mammut bolsters e-commerce offering
Financial technology specialist Wirecard, is expanding its long-standing partnership with Mammut to handle payment processing for the firm's e-commerce business in the US.
Skogstad goes Digital for S/S collection
Norwegian outdoor apparel brand Skogstad is launching its spring/summer 2019 range using the new version 7 of the aWorkbook B2B e-catalogue and sales app.
Kampa charts in Stock Exchange listing
Kampa has been identified in the London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report, which Identifies fastest-growing (SMEs) across the UK.
Black Diamond plans $40m expansion
The parent company of Black Diamond Equipment plans to invest $40 million and expand operations in Utah.
Senior US hire for Columbia
Columbia has appointed Michael Richardson as vice president of Global Merchandising for the Columbia brand.
Compass Diversified heading the right way
Compass Diversified has reported strong first quarter results, with losses improving and revenues growing.
Record results for Johnson
Johnson Outdoors has reported double-digit increases in sales and earnings driving record-high results during the company’s 2018 second fiscal quarter and six months ending 30th March 2018.
Mammut strengthens e-commerce hand
Mammut continues to invest in its e-commerce offering, expanding its partnership with payment processing firm Wirecard in the US.
VF results point to growth
VF Corporation has reported financial results for its three-month transition period ended 31st March 2018.
New PR for Bridgedale
Bridgedale has chosen Real PR Outdoor as its PR agency.
Vista responds to pressure as full year results published
Vista Outdoor has announced a “strategic business transformation plan”, designed to allow the company to focus resources on pursuing growth in its core product categories.
Amer posts Q1 figures
Amer Sports, which owns the Salomon, Wilson, Atomic, Arc'teryx, Mavic, Suunto and Precor brands, has released its first quarter financials.
Big signing boosts Columbia communications team
Columbia has boosted its corporate communications team, appointing Mary Ellen Glynn as director of corporate communications and Sara Bradshaw as corporate communications manager.
Deckers updates guidance
Deckers Outdoor Corporation has issued an update on its fourth quarter earnings guidance.
Eagle Creek boosts Euro sales team
Eagle Creek has appointed Björn Jansen from Uhlsport as its new sales manager of wholesale for Europe.
Bergans of Norway CEO quits
Bergans of Norway has parted company with CEO Leif Holst-Liaeker, with supply chain director Jan Tore Jensen taking up the role.
Outdoors segment performs for JD Sports
JD Sports has announced its full-year results with group turnover and profits both significantly up and outdoor also seeing a rise in turnover and operating profits.
Waka Waka makes public offering
Solar light specialist, WakaWaka has become the first European B Corporation to go public, offering shares via NPEX, the Dutch financing platform for SMEs as it looks to raise €2.5m.
VF on the lookout for big acquisition
VF Corp CEO, Steve Rendle has been talking to Fortune magazine and says the firm is in the market to make another big acquisition.
Patagonia boss continues to speak out
Patagonia boss, Rose Marcario, is continuing to stick it to White House occupant Donald Trump, and has added some harsh criticism of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for good measure.
Columbia takes control of China operation
Columbia is to acquire the remaining 40 per cent interest in Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai) Company.
Mammut shuffles US management pack
Swiss outdoor brand Mammut is restructuring its North American leadership, with Joe Prebich becoming managing director and CEO Bill Supple leaving as CEO at the end of April.
VF completes acquisition of NZ wool brand
North Face owner VF Corporation has completed its purchase of New Zealand outdoor apparel brand, Icebreaker, in a NZ$100 million+ deal.
Keen strengthens US sales team
Footwear brand, Keen has appointed Tim Bartels as its new vice president of sales for the Outdoor, Lifestyle and Kids categories at its Portland, Oregon, global headquarters
Fenix Group acquires Royal Robbins
Fenix Outdoor International has acquired 100% of the US based outdoor and travel apparel company, Royal Robbins.
JD Sports makes £396m US retail acquisition
JD Sports has acquired US sport retail brand The Finish Line in a cash deal worth around £396 million.
Analysts project Compass sales upturn
Equities analysts expect Compass Diversified Holdings to report sales of $353.71 million for the current fiscal quarter, Zacks reports.
Buoyant Kathmandu acquires Oboz
Aussie and NZ retailer Kathmandu, has acquired Oboz Footwear in a $60m deal as part of a set of positive financial results showing increased half year profits.
Columbia joins Chinese tariffs battle
Shoe brands and retailers have sounded alarms that President Donald Trump's plan to impose sweeping tariffs on imported goods from China will result in higher consumer prices.
ADPR picks up Overboard account
Communications agency ADPR is now working with OverBoard, and its range of 100 per cent waterproof bags and cases.
VF offloads Nautica brand
VF Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the Nautica brand business to Authentic Brands Group.
Columbia signs MLS deal
Columbia Sportswear and Major League Soccer (MLS) have announced a new collaboration featuring co-branded outerwear and apparel for men, women and children.
North Face owner swoops for Altra running brand
VF Corporation is to acquire the Altra footwear brand from Icon Health & Fitness for an undisclosed amount.
Walbrecht moves up at Black Diamond
Black Diamond owner, Clarus Corporation, has promoted John Walbrecht to president.
Cascade chief stepping down
Cascade Designs, owner of Therm-a-Rest, Platypus and other outdoor brands, has announced that company founder and chairman John Burroughs, is stepping after 46 years as head of the company.
Compass issues new $100m offering
Compass Diversified Holdings has issued a $100 million public offering of 4,000,000 of its 7.875% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares.
North Face owner boosts digital team
VF Corporation has appointed Velia Carboni to the new position of chief digital officer.
Online database aims to end labelling woes
The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) has partnered with Compliance & Risks to launch the WFSGI Compliance Labelling Requirements (CLR) Database designed to help companies avoid potential costly re-work, stop ships and product recalls.
Columbia updates guidance
Columbia has updated its FY18 earnings guidance.
JD completes Spanish mergers
JD Sports Fashion, JD Sprinter and Sport Zone (Sonae Group) have completed the merger of their sports retail businesses in Spain and Portugal.
Sports Direct ups Debenhams interest
Sports Direct has increased its stake in department store chain Debenhams to 29.7 percent and is seeking to extend its relationship with the firm to“a strategic partnership”.
Positive forecast for Decker
Analysts expect Teva and Ugg owner Deckers Outdoor to report $377.25 million in sales for the current quarter.
Kampa on the right Track
Kampa has been ranked at number 11 in the fourth annual Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100, which was published in the Business section last weekend.
New CEO for WL Gore
Jason Field, global sales and marketing leader for Gore Medical Products Division, will succeed Terri Kelly as President and CEO of WL Gore from 1st April.
PETA continues Canada Goose campaign
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is continuing to pressure Canada Goose over its use of coyote fur on its parka coats.
Tax breaks boost Compass Holdings
Compass Diversified Holdings, owner of US outdoor brand 5.11 Tactical, has announced its fourth quarter and year end results for the period ended 31st December 2017.
New CFO for Calida Group
Sacha Gerber will join Calida Group, owner of the Eider and Millet outdoor brands, as chief financial officer in September of this year.
Sports Direct takes on CofE
Church investment arm has been critical of much-maligned sports retailer.
Johnson Outdoors simmering nicely
Jetboil owner Johnson Outdoors announced its quarterly earnings results earlier this month.
VF coming full circle
It's all about 2.0 strategy and circular business for the North Face owner.
Vista Outdoor under fire for gun links
Following America's latest gun travesty, gun manufacturers and particularly those companies linked to the NRA are feeling some heat.
Hedges bet on Columbia
Institutional investors and hedge funds continue to take greater interest in Columbia
Slide Award winners announced
At Wednesday night’s SIGB AGM, the winners of the Slide Awards 2018 were announced, with the Salomon S/Lab Shift Hybrid Binding taking top honours in the Hardware section, Patagonia winning the Software category with their Micro Puff Hoody Jacket and the Bollé Nevada Goggle – Phantom + Technology, winning the Accessories category.