Earnings
Retail
Athletic

Earnings Report: Retailers See Casual Athletic On Top

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Menomonee Falls, WI-based Kohl’s is exiting eight women’s private apparel brands this year but says it remains committed to growing the active category, pointing out that it has doubled the segment’s sales since 2013. New brands being introduced this fall online and in in-store presentations include Toms, which the retailer believes will resonate with its Millennial customers.


Shoe Carnival said it was pleased with the performance of athletic and children’s styles in a challenging period as it moved swiftly to ramp up e-commerce and realized a triple-digit increase in the segment in the first-quarter. And CEO Cliff Sifford predicted continued strength in laidback looks, saying, “Lifestyle is going to be much more casual going into next year.”

As chainwide e-commerce revenues grew more than 500 percent for the four weeks ended May 16, the Evansville, IN-based family footwear retailer said more than 70 percent of sales in re-opened doors were generated by its loyalty club members.


Hibbett Sports, which only had its 1,000-plus store base open for approximately 60 percent of the period, suffered a 21 percent drop in first-quarter sales and year-over-year comp sales decline of 19.5 percent. Still, the Birmingham, AL-based sporting goods retailer realized a nearly 111 percent increase in first-quarter e-commerce sales to slightly more than 22 percent of period revenues, or an implied $59.4 million. To responding to customer need during the pandemic, Hibbett implemented a curbside pick-up program in a six-hour period. Susquehanna’s Sam Poser think the retailer has a distinct advantage going forward, with most of its locations in rural areas or off-mall.