The latest news, analysis and data on topics including Financial Results, Corporate, M&A, Omnichannel, Retail & Distribution, E-Commerce & DTC, Market statistics, Policy & Legal, Trade & Sourcing, Marketing, Products, Trade fairs & Conference
The North Face plans 100 percent sustainable face materials by 2025
In its latest sustainability press release, The North Face (TNF) commits to 100 percent of its apparel face materials being either recycled, renewable or regenerative by 2025. Improving the footprint of sourcing synthetic materials is a particular focus, as material-related emissions for polyester account for 53 percent of TNF’s total ...
WeSports acquires Nordic Outdoor & Sports Group
WeSports AB, a Stockholm-based group of individual sports, outdoor and mobility companies that operates online as well as physical stores and product brands, and GOB Invest, also based in Stockholm, have acquired Nordic Outdoor & Sports Group AB (Nordic OSG), a leading Scandinavian outdoor, climbing and snow sports retail group. ...
Moody’s upgrades outlook for Amer Sports
Providing some interesting figures on Amer Sports’ latest performance and some interesting projections, Moody’s has changed its outlook for the company from negative to stable. However, it maintained an overall B3 corporate rating on Amer’s debt, feeling that its credit metrics will remain weak over the next 12 to 18 ...
Infinited Fiber plans to invest €220 million in regenerated textile fiber factory
Infinited Fiber Company, a Finnish circular fashion and textile biotechnology group founded in 2016, is currently looking for a site in Finland to build a flagship factory to produce its regenerated textile fibers for the global market. Infinited Fiber said it will decide on the site by September. Total investment ...
Tencel launches e-commerce platform
Lenzing Group’s Tencel™ textile brand has launched the Tencel eShop. This first e-commerce site from a sustainable fiber manufacturer “bridges the divide between manufacturers and the end-consumer by curating a diverse mix of apparel and home goods made of Tencel branded fibers,“ the company said. The debut marks a new ...
Chinese e-mobility specialist Yadea announces global expansion course
At an international press conference in mid-April, Chinese e-two-wheeler giant Yadea Technology Group Co., Ltd. unveiled its product mix with which it plans to make a global splash in the future. Under the slogan “Electrify your life,” the first e-scooters and e-bikes were added to the global portfolio presented at ...
Two new RTE bike factories, new target groups
In addition to the foundation of RTE Poland, previously communicated in our sister publication SGI Europe, the bicycle manufacturer RTE is also expanding its activities at its headquarters in Portugal. A new e-bike factory is already in the final stages. The new factory, which will operate under the company name ...
Canada Goose sees itself well on track to achieve sustainability goals
In its second sustainability report, Canada Goose has provided an overview of the progress for the social and environmental responsibility agenda set in 2019 and introduces a few future projects. The detailed 33-page report (link for direct PDF download) provides insight into all relevant areas, from social responsibility to emissions ...
Good start of the year for Mammut
The Conzzeta Group’s revenues reached 337.8 million Swiss francs (€306.6m-$367.2m) in the first three months of 2021, which corresponds to an increase of 18.0 percent from the year-ago quarter on an organic basis and in constant currencies.
Adidas and Parley team up for sustainable Mountains To Oceans outdoor capsule
Adidas has reunited with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organization founded in 2012 by Cyrill Gutsch to fight ocean degradation with a focus on plastic pollution, to introduce a new collection of weatherproof outdoor apparel made from sustainable materials. Adidas first collaborated with Parley in 2015 to embark on ...
U.S. companies demand climate action from Biden administration
310 U.S. businesses have signed an open letter demanding that the Biden Administration makes every effort to achieve a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030. The open letter was organized by the We Mean Business Coalition, a global coalition of nonprofits working with businesses around the world to take ...
In a global FMCG comparison, Germans, French and Danes are more reluctant to buy online than others
In its latest Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Report 2021, London-based data and analysis company YouGov surveyed more than 19,000 consumers in 17 markets worldwide to find out about their shopping behavior. The study reveals differences between the various markets, but also similarities.
Lower losses in JD’s outdoor retail operations
JD Sports Fashion Plc managed to report generally good results for the year ended Jan. 30, 2021, in spite of the impact from the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit, “which have severely tested all aspects of the business,” the management said. The company’s profit before tax and exceptional items of £421.3 ...
Pierer Mobility with new sales and revenue records in Q1
Listed Austrian company Pierer Mobility, a specialist in motorized two-wheelers, sold 87,197 motorcycles and 19,256 e-bikes in the first three months of the year despite global supply chain problems. The result was also driven by high global demand for individual mobility, triggered in part by Corona. Compared to the previous ...
GfK survey in the USA sees brand loyalty as payoff for intelligent consumer approach
In a survey of 1,000 U.S. residents, market research institute GfK asked consumers about their brand loyalty and trust in brands and retailers in relation to data security, as well as soft parameters such as CSR and political issues.
HDE calls for new retail regulations; retailers fear 60% loss with compulsory corona testing
In view of the amendment to the Federal Infection Protection Act announced for next week, the German Retail Federation (HDE) is calling for targeted measures to effectively contain the third wave of Corona currently affecting the country. The HDE is critical of a possible further lockdown with store closures by ...
Hama Group acquires majority stake in Messingschlager
With retroactive effect as of Jan. 1, Hama, a leading international supplier of accessories for consumer electronics, has acquired a majority stake in Messingschlager, one of the world’s largest importers of bicycle accessories. With Hama’s entry, Messingschlager intends to set the course for future growth in good time.
Italian tanners issue warning about rising raw material costs
The Italian tanners’ association, Unic, is warning about the “destabilizing” impact of a sharp increase in the price of raw materials.
Vietnam predicts $20 billion in leather and footwear exports in 2021
Vietnam’s Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso) expects its industry to achieve exports of more than $20 billion this year after suffering from a decline last year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on supply chains, consumption and trade.
Outdoor companies’ stocks up by 18.9% in Q1
The average stock market value of 31 selected public companies in the outdoor sector saw a sequential improvement of 18.9 percent between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, buoyed by the strong performance of stock markets across the globe, fueled by recovery hopes.
Former TNF innovation expert becomes CEO of new company to commercialize advanced textiles from Stanford Univ. lab
EEnotech, a California clean tech foundry, has unveiled LifeLabs™, a new company dedicated to commercializing textile patents from Stanford University’s advanced materials lab. Founded by Professor Yi Cui, director of Stanford University’s Precourt Institute for Energy and a 15-year veteran of Stanford’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Meng ...
Hervis with new flagship stores focusing on bike and outdoor
At the end of March, Austrian sporting goods chain Hervis Sports, which belongs to the Spar group, opened a new bike flagship store after transforming a regular multi-category store in the Stadlau district of Vienna. In the local industrial park, Hervis presents everything related to bikes on 2,000 square meters. ...
Teva works to divert products from landfills with new sandal recycling initiative
U.S. company Teva, founded in 1984 and part of Deckers Brands, has partnered with international recycling company TerraCycle to launch the TevaForever program to give worn-out Teva sandals a new life. The recycling program underscores Teva’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact and keeping waste out of landfills. “The TevaForever ...
Recent studies show mixed picture of Covid-related shopping behavior
According to recent studies by the Association of Swiss Sports Retailers (ASMAS), based on credit card data from Worldline, along with the latest data from Mastercard, the outlook for brick-and-mortar retailers is moderately optimistic, albeit very mixed across the EU. In general, a slow return of the buying spirit is ...
VF’s new fulfillment center in the U.K. begins operations
VF Corp., through its local subsidiary VF Northern Europe Limited, has begun operations at its new fulfillment center in Bardon, Leicestershire, which will employ about 250 people at peak times. The new 55,800-square-meter center will have “state-of-the-art automation capabilities putting it at the forefront of the footwear and apparel industry.” ...
Global bicycle stocks Q1 2021: The soaring continues
While most of the existing problems caused by the Corona crisis have yet to be resolved, the global stock market is relying on hopes — hopes for a bright post-Corona future. Instead of going into crisis mode, it is simply bypassing all the economic killers that are piling up. Supported by further stimulus packages and the open money floodgates of central banks, the stock market remains high. Our cycling stock chartists are ahead of the curve. They rely on another serious advantage: the bicycle and e-bike sales boom pushed by Corona led to excellent business figures last year. These were announced in the first quarter of this year. Some of the record results were a good impetus for the development of the share value in Q1 2021.
Taiwan’s 2020 exports: It’s all about e-bikes
How did Taiwan’s valuable bicycle and e-bike unit and value exports master challenging 2020 - the so-called “Corona Year One”? Export statistics published by the Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA) provide detailed information.
LifeStraw receives B Corp certification
LifeStraw, a water filtration and purification specialist for outdoor sports and recreation, has received B Corp Certification. In conjunction with the announcement, the company released its 2020 CSR report, outlining social and environmental impact responsibility milestones for 2020 and ambitious goals for 2021.
Investor acquires majority stake in Elastic Interface maker Cytech
With an initial investment from its private equity fund PM&Partners III Fund, Italian private equity firm PM&Partners SGR has joined Cytech (aka Cyctech Group aka Cypad Group) as a majority shareholder. The investor intends to support the group in its ambitious development plans. The management team, which will continue to ...
Fenix Outdoor unveils its 2021 goals
Fenix Outdoor International had a tough year in 2020 due to the pandemic and its store closures, with sales falling by 7.3 percent to €563.0 million. The operating margin (Ebit) contracted by 3.1 percentage points to 10.9 percent. Net profit declined by 44.6 percent to €33.9 million.
