apparel

Columbia Sportswear Teams Up With Madhappy For Mental Health


Columbia Sportswear knows time outdoors is a powerful mood booster. So it’s teaming up again with Madhappy for a collection focused on the mental health benefits of time spent outdoors.

The collection features updated versions of Columbia’s Bugaboo and Riptide Wind jackets, as well as new takes on Madhappy’s hoodies, sweatpants, shorts and heavy jersey tees. And the gear is emblazoned with lines like “Outside In” and “Find Peace in Nature.”

The company says the partnership, with items selling exclusively on Instagram, is another way it can encourage everyone to get outside more often, soaking up nature’s positive vibes.

The Portland, Oregon, company acknowledges it will likely need some positive vibes in the months ahead.

It recently posted solid second-quarter results, with net sales rising 2%, or 4% on a constant-currency basis, reaching a record $578.1 million. It saw gains in all divisions, with Sorel surging 33%.

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But operating income dropped 75% to $8.8 million, compared to $35 million in the prior quarter, and it sees some turbulence ahead.

“It is increasingly clear that the operating environment has become more challenging,” said Tim Boyle, chairman, president and chief executive officer, in the announcement.  “Based on growing economic uncertainty, we believe it is prudent to take a more conservative approach to our financial outlook for the balance of the year.”

For the year, it expects sales to climb between 10% and 12%, down from its previous forecast of 16% to 18%. 

While Columbia’s direct-to-consumer sales rose 8%, they began slowing in June and July, writes Jonathan Komp, an analyst who follows the company for Baird.

He rates the company as neutral, noting the increasing likelihood that Columbia will have to price its products more promotionally, potentially impacting profits.

Columbia says it’s counting on new products to keep customers interested. In a conference call with investors, Boyle says the company is readying a third-quarter global marketing push for Omni-Heat Infinity, stressing the technology as “the gold standard in warmth….we believe the introduction of Omni Heat Helix this fall will bring disruptive innovation to this largely undifferentiated category. Omni Heat Helix is the first of its kind patented visible technology.”

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