Tag: Brooks

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Berkshire Hathaway’s running shoe and fitness apparel company, Brooks Running, for the second consecutive quarter holds the top spot in the U.S. adult performance running footwear market with 21% market share based on revenue, and continued its momentum with record global revenue, up 11% compared to the second quarter of 2021.

In the face of ongoing economic and supply chain stressors, Brooks began to meet strong demand in May, keeping the company on track for projected double-digit revenue growth in 2022.

Brooks captured five of the top 25 adult performance running footwear shoes at U.S. retail in the first half of 2022: the Ghost 14, Adrenaline GTS 22, Adrenaline GTS 21, Revel 5, and Glycerin 19. The Ghost and Adrenaline maintained their positions as the top two selling franchise lines in the U.S. market, with a combined 14% of sales revenue.

“We’ve seen great excitement over our revolutionary nitrogen-infusion technology and the launch of our Glycerin 20 franchise, and we look forward to bringing the carbon neutral Ghost 15 to runners this November,” said CEO Jim Weber. “By spreading the run and its energy to an even greater number of individuals across the globe, Brooks has captured double-digit growth with more to come in the second half of this year.”

The running market around the world continues to normalize after the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptive impact on consumer behavior, retail markets, and the supply chain. While the running footwear market in the U.S. was down 10% in Q2 versus last year, Brooks’ long-term growth outlook remains positive as global participation is expected to grow coming out of the pandemic and outpace historical trends.

Manufacturing recovery allowed Brooks to fully meet demand beginning in May and launch the highly anticipated Glycerin 20 franchise in June, both key factors in achieving 12% revenue growth in the U.S. and 38% revenue growth in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions in the second quarter. Brooks also began a soft launch into the China market in Q2, focusing on digital sales. With over 20 million people in China running, the country represents a large market for premium running footwear, with over $1.5 billion in sales and 13 million pairs sold annually.

Brooks gains insight through human and science-based research to deliver products for any type of runner. Brooks launched its latest footwear innovation in engineered midsole technology with the nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3. This technology allows Brooks to control cell structures and density in its midsoles, fine-tuning the underfoot experience of each style to meet the different needs, preferences, and environments of runners.

Developed through the brands’ BlueLine Lab, this nitrogen-infused technology provides more cushioning in the midsole without sacrificing weight. Road runners and trail runners can reap the benefits when wearing the Glycerin 20 franchise or Caldera 6 shoes. Brooks will continue to invest in technology to bring innovation into more products that deliver the performance gear that every runner deserves.

Brooks was back to in-person running events this past quarter, engaging runners in the community and representing the brand at the highest levels of the sport. Four Brooks athletes competed at the World Athletics Championships, and the brand gathered the nation’s top high school runners to compete in the Brooks PR Invitational and attempt a personal record (PR). Now in its 10th year, the event saw the fastest U.S. time recorded in the girls’ 400m in 2022 and a record in the boys’ mile.

This August, Brooks launched a global brand campaign, “It’s Your Run.” The campaign is a celebration of the creative ways all types of runners get to their personal finish lines. Built on the insight that running can be hard for even for the most committed runners, the campaign focuses on the creative ways that runners achieve their best run.

© 2022 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s running shoe and fitness apparel company, Brooks Running, is on track for double-digit year-over-year growth in 2022.

After ending 2021 with over $1.11 billion in global revenue, in Q1 2022, Brooks took the top spot in the U.S. National performance footwear market for the first time, with 22% market share, based on revenue. Its Brooks Ghost and Brooks Adrenaline were the top two selling franchise lines in the adult performance running market, collectively accounting for 14% of U.S. sales.

“While Vietnam factory closures last year caused us to fall short of fulfilling strong market demand for Brooks in Q1, we remain bullish for substantial growth in 2022,” said Brooks CEO Jim Weber. “Brooks’ performance products continued to lead with runners and the best is yet to come as our new Glycerin styles come to market featuring DNA LOFT v3, a nitrogen-infused midsole compound that delivers an incredibly compelling running experience.”

The 2022 Sports & Fitness Industry (SFIA) Manufacturers Sales Report, found that total U.S. run industry growth—including equipment, apparel, and footwear—grew 15.8% in 2021.

© 2022 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s running shoe and fitness apparel company, Brooks Running, set new records in 2021, ending the year with global revenue exceeding $1.11 billion, an increase of 31% percent year over year.

This marks the first time the running brand has reached $1 billion in annual revenue.

Brooks navigated the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and related supply chain disruption by reaffirming its commitment to the running community, remaining agile and transparent in servicing strong customer demand, and attracting new runners worldwide to the brand. All the while, the company continued to invest heavily in scientific research, technology, and industry-leading runner insights to deliver best-in-class performance gear.

“Brooks had a record year across every metric we track,” said Jim Weber, Brooks CEO. “Crossing the $1 billion threshold is especially gratifying as it reflects the outcome of a 20-year focus and commitment from our global team to inspire and serve runners better than any brand in run. We enter 2022 with strong demand for Brooks products in all retail channels as the only major brand exclusively anchored in performance across the run lifestyle, from sport enthusiasts to fitness seekers. I am optimistic the best is yet to come for the run community and for Brooks.”

The worldwide demand for performance running footwear continued to grow during the past year. In 2021, Brooks sold 25% more pairs of shoes globally compared to prior year.

The U.S. total running shoe market increased dollar sales by 20% in 2021, according to The NPD Group, as Americans adapted to COVID-19 realities and sought to reclaim their active lifestyles. Brooks’s commitment to reach runners where they shop is reflected in strong market share across channels in 2021. Brooks was again the leading brand in the running specialty channel, which Brooks views as an influential, community centric channel.

In the athletic specialty and sporting goods (ASSG) channel, Brooks also earned No. 1 market share in adult running shoes, with 28% dollar share in 2021 — a year-over-year increase of 4 percentage points. Across all U.S. retail channels combined, Brooks was the No. 2 ranked adult performance running footwear brand in 2021, with 19% dollar share, gaining 2 percentage points year over year, reflecting strong sales growth up 37%. Brooks produced the industry’s top two franchise styles for adult performance running footwear: the Ghost at No. 1 and the Adrenaline GTS at No. 2.

Brooks’ direct e-commerce revenue in North America grew 149% over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

In local currency, Brooks’ EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) business grew 25% in revenue year over year. Momentum occurred across all countries and distribution channels including specialty retail, general sporting goods, and directly on BrooksRunning.eu. This pace further underscores the brand’s demand throughout the region.

© 2022 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s running shoe and fitness apparel company Brooks’ revenue increased for an eighth consecutive quarter in Q3 2021.

From January through September 2021, Brooks grew revenue 43.5 percent globally.

In the U.S. adult performance running footwear category, Brooks captured 19% market share, based on revenues, and gained 2 percentage points, versus last year, according to The NPD Group Retail Tracking data.

Contributing to this result was third quarter revenue growth of 24 percent year over year as the company continued to feed strong consumer demand around the world. Brooks’ leading footwear franchise styles led the gains as revenue from the Adrenaline GTS, Ghost, and Glycerin super franchise are up 50 percent versus 2020.

“More than twenty years ago, we made a big bet that if we put the runner at the center of everything we do—delivering the product they need and then celebrating the many reasons they run and the positive energy they get from it—we could become a leading brand in run,” said Jim Weber, CEO at Brooks. “We look forward to welcoming more people into the running community as we close out 2021 and enter the new year.”

Brooks’ growth is benefitting from distinctive products, a premium brand positioning, strong multi-channel distribution, digital engagement, and a tailwind of increased participation in running and walking around the world.

Brooks entered the third quarter with strong brand demand amid ongoing pandemic-related quarantines and mandated factory shutdowns coupled with widespread supply chain disruptions. These headwinds began to affect Brooks’ ability to meet consumer demand for the quarter, reducing revenue in September. While supply chain challenges are not unique to Brooks, the brand expects impacts to continue through Q2 2022 and is well positioned to manage through the disruption with strong partnerships in its geographically diverse yet categorically focused supply chain ecosystem.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Brooks Running announced its new 2030 planet strategy, a science-backed approach that will take responsibility for the impact the brand has on the environment.

“At Brooks, we think that climate change demands urgent and universal action,” said David Kemp, Senior Manager of Corporate Responsibility at Brooks Running. “Because more than 150 million people worldwide run outside, it’s critical that we take responsibility for our impact on the planet.”

While the brand’s sustainability efforts span over a decade, this initiative will accelerate commitments, with a focus on climate action and sustainable consumption.

Brooks’ commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 will be achieved by first reducing emissions in line with climate science, with Brooks’ Science Based Targets to reduce carbon emissions recently validated by the Science Based Target initiative. Brooks has developed a robust climate roadmap on how they will achieve these emissions reductions with key strategies to decarbonize including converting factories to renewable electricity, converting textile yarns to low impact dyeing processes and sourcing materials with recycled content.

In partnership with ClimateCare, Brooks will purchase high-quality carbon credits from projects that avoid or reduce carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. The portfolio of projects includes projects from the U.S., where Brooks is headquartered and a majority of product is sold, and international countries where Brooks employees are located and some of the brands product and materials are manufactured. In addition to meeting strict criteria for selecting carbon offsets projects, each of the projects provides additional environmental and social benefits – including a focus on improving air quality and advancing health and well-being.

The brand will make an immediate impact by offsetting emissions from its highest-volume style, the Ghost. The Ghost 14, launching July 1st, is Brooks’ first carbon neutral product. In addition to reducing the product’s environmental impact by incorporating recycled materials, Brooks will purchase carbon offsets from projects that meet strict criteria for making a meaningful difference in addressing climate change.

Brooks plans to reduce its usage of non-renewable resources by incorporating more sustainable materials into products while minimizing the waste associated within the manufacturing process.

In 2022, the brand will launch a take-back program, which will lay the groundwork for a fully circular shoe in the years to come. By 2023, Brooks will move to 100% recycled polyester in footwear and new apparel materials and is committed to zero footwear manufacturing waste to landfill, incineration, and the environment by 2025.

“We believe that the run can change everything: your day, your life and even the world. But to make those benefits available to all, we need to participate on a global scale,” Kemp said. “We’ve charted our program to support United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and joined The Climate Pledge, because partnerships will be critical to achieving our ambitious goals.”

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s running shoe company, Brooks Running, ended 2020 with global revenue of nearly $850 million, an increase of 27 percent year over year.

“In 2020, the Brooks team stayed very close to the runner for cues on how to navigate the uncertainty caused by global retail and supply chain disruptions,” said Jim Weber, CEO at Brooks Running. “We quickly found new demand signals to track shifts in running participation and shopping behavior and acted decisively to engage runners and gain market share in every channel of distribution.”

While markets were interrupted with inventory disruptions from the impact of COVID-19, Brooks’ market share grew around the globe. At retail, Brooks was the No. 4 adult performance running footwear brand in the U.S. in 2020 with 8.5% dollar share, up 1.8 points year over year.

In the same period, the Brooks Ghost became the No. 1 franchise for adult performance running in the total and run specialty markets combined.

Brooks’ investment in its consumer research Run-Sight Lab and singular focus on runners was a major advantage and contributed to 2020 success. With these insights, the brand quickly adjusted its communication approach and reinforced its omni-channel distribution support to engage with runners and make sure they could find Brooks whenever and wherever they chose to research and shop.

Brooks’ Sales & Operations team created a process that included a new demand model to replace retailer signals with cues coming from digital sell-through and running participation. By the middle of the year, this customer-focused process gave the brand the confidence that demand for Brooks was exceeding previous year sales, prompting a green light to reignite production to meet demand.

Brooks gained more than 3 points of performance running dollar-share among runners in 2020 compared to 2019 and for the first time ever became the No. 2 brand among runners based on dollar-share position*. Within the final two months of 2020, Brooks was the No. 1 adult performance running footwear brand in the athletic specialty/sporting goods (ASSG) channel, generating powerful momentum leading into 2021.

In 2020, during brick-and-mortar retail closures, Brooks sales online shifted north of 75%, stabilizing at 46% by year end. With the runner in control of their shopping journey, Brooks’ multi-channel presence mattered as they moved from physical stores to online shopping.

Brooks believes its ability to deliver on its “Run Happy” promise to customers starts within its own walls; when COVID-19 hit, the health and safety of Brooks employees was the company’s top priority. Over the course of the year, Brooks invested in developing its leaders and managers to lead execution and model the brand’s core values at scale via virtual engagements and platforms.

Over the past 12 months, Brooks’ active employee count surpassed 1,000 as the company added nearly 100 employees and retained talent with zero layoffs throughout the year.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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While indoor athletic activities were curtailed this summer and fall due to Covid, outdoors was a different matter. Items such as bicycles and running shoes were flying off the shelves.

Berkshire Hathaway’s Brooks Running reported record third quarter global revenue up 49 percent year over year, leading to a 2020 outlook of 27 percent growth.

“We believe in the positive power the run can create in someone’s day and its additive benefits over time. It is also an effective antidote in troubling times, and we’ve seen that prove true as running participation increased since March,” said Jim Weber, CEO at Brooks Running. The 2020 running boom created amidst the pandemic has been driven by people running for mental and physical health.

According to Brooks sales data, the brand gained 1.6 million runners through October of this year.

“We have worked alongside our retail, factory and distribution partners to ensure those who want to run can find the product they trust and need to bring positive energy into their lives,” Weber notes.

Despite challenges and uncertainty felt around the world caused by COVID-19 and an ensuing volatile economy, Brooks came into the global pandemic with strong product lines. Market share growth accelerated in Q3 as the brand added new runners.

According to The NPD Group, Brooks captured the largest share increase year-to-date through September in the U.S. adult performance running footwear category, gaining 4 share points versus the same period in 2019.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Brooks Sports, Inc., a footwear, apparel and accessories company headquartered in Seattle, has filed a lawsuit against Brooks Brothers Group, Inc. in federal court for breach of contract, unfair competition and trademark infringement.

The lawsuit seeks to stop Brooks Brothers from using Brooks’ famous BROOKS trademark on its stores and products and prevent public confusion and dilution of the BROOKS mark by Brooks Brothers.
Brooks also seeks damages for Brooks Brothers’ unfair competition and breach of contract.

The two companies have coexisted for more than 100 years without consumer confusion due to their distinct product lines and trademarks. Brooks is known for athletic-inspired innovative footwear, apparel and accessories under its famous BROOKS mark while Brooks Brothers makes ready-to-wear fashion apparel and tailored business and formal wear under its BROOKS BROTHERS mark. To support this distinction, there is a coexistence trademark agreement between Brooks and Brooks Brothers dating back to 1980.

Brooks Brothers recently attempted to block Brooks from obtaining registrations for its BROOKS trademark in the United States and other countries, despite decades of unopposed use. Additionally, on December 30, 2019, Brooks Brothers filed new trademark applications to use BROOKS alone, without the word BROTHERS, on eight categories of goods, including clothing, sporting goods and accessories for athletics. Brooks Brothers is also marketing “athletic” footwear and “sneakers,” which are among the items on which Brooks Brothers seeks to use the BROOKS trademarks.

“For more than 100 years we’ve built a brand that consumers worldwide recognize and trust,” said Jim Weber, Brooks CEO. “We will aggressively protect our intellectual property and defend the investment that’s created our valuable brand.”

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Brooks Running Company and Locally will partner to launch Same-Day Delivery to runners in 10 markets across the United States on Aug. 22 to get performance running product onto feet and into hands fast. Brooks will be the first running brand to offer same-day delivery partnering with Locally and local running stores in this way. In addition to the 10 original Same-Day Delivery markets, Locally will begin offering the service in 25 additional U.S. cities.

“We know that for many runners, going for a run can depend on having the right gear on hand at any point in the day, which is why we’re thrilled to partner with Locally to offer Same-Day Delivery in cities throughout the U.S.,” said Brooks Running VP of U.S. Specialty Retail Accounts Rick Wilhelm. “In addition to delivering gear to runners within 24 hours, Same-Day Delivery will create new sales for our specialty running accounts by introducing new customers to their local stores.”

Runners will be able to shop on BrooksRunning.com and find available inventory at local specialty running stores using Locally software. The local store will fulfill the order and deliver it via one of Locally’s delivery partners, Deliv or Postmates.

The first 1,000 runners to place an order for Same-Day Delivery in the 10 launch cities will receive free delivery using a promo code that will be available via Brooks’ social and email channels. After that point and outside of those cities, runners will have the option to pay a delivery fee—which starts at $5 and depends on proximity to the store—to have their gear arrive within the day, often within hours.

Exact delivery times and cost will depend on the runner’s proximity to the store, store operating hours and the time of day the order is placed.

“We built Locally to help brands and retailers work together to delight shoppers,” said Locally President Mike Massey. “We’re so excited to work with Brooks to push the platform towards its ultimate goal: true on-demand shopping with nearby in-store pickup and Same-Day Delivery options.”

The launch cities include:

• Atlanta
• Baltimore
• Chicago
• Houston
• Minneapolis
• New York
• Philadelphia
• San Francisco
• Seattle
• Washington

As the Same-Day Delivery launch partner for Locally, Brooks will initially be the first running brand to offer its service to runners. Brooks and Locally will evaluate how to increase the number of cities they make the service available in.

In addition to offering the Same-Day Delivery service to runners, Brooks’ partnership with Locally allows runners to locate performance running gear at stores near their homes, driving sales for local retailers. Other Brooks investments to help bolster sell-through at retail include developing an award-winning customer service team, launching the Fast Track application which allows store associates to drop-ship Brooks product to runners and more.

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Brooks Running Company is marketing the Melts Collection to pay tribute to runners’ favorite post-run treats during the summer: ice cream.

New designs inspired by iconic flavors adorn the limited-edition Ghost 12 and Ricochet LE, and became available to runners on July 25.

“Some our favorite runs are under the sun during summer, and we know that many runners, like us, enjoy a cold, tasty post-run treat to cool down,” said Director of Footwear Merchandising Brice Newton. “With the Melts Collection, we give a special nod to those moments by paying tribute to the ice cream and Popsicle flavors we turn to after the miles are in the bank.”

The limited-edition Ghost 12 features a newly engineered mesh as well as a 3D Fit Print upper for a secure fit. The shoe’s BioMoGo DNA and DNA Loft cushioned midsole provide a just-right softness without losing responsiveness and durability. The Segmented Crash Pad, an integrated system of shock absorbers, will cushion every stride and provide smooth heel-to-toe transitions.

The Melts versions of the shoe draw inspiration from crowd-pleasing favorite ice cream flavors like rainbow sherbet and vanilla with sprinkles on women’s colorways. The sherbet colorway features a colorful, swirled midsole, evoking melting ice cream. The vanilla sprinkle colorway has creamy neutral tones and a sprinkle-patterned midsole along with beautiful ombre shoelaces that fade from pink to orange. The men’s offerings channel other crowd favorites including cookies and cream and a rocket pop colorway. The cookies and cream shoe feature chocolate browns and blacks complemented by rich creamy whites. Cookie crumbles speckle the midsole and matching shoelaces. The rocket pop colorway draws inspiration from the popular tri-colored ice pop featuring blue, white and red, which fade from one color to the next on the midsole. The colors pop against the brilliant blue upper.

The Ricochet LE features BioMoGo DNA and DNA AMP cushioning, providing a light, responsive ride to give more energy back to each stride. The flexible, arrow-point pattern on the outsole provides a platform for quick transitions as you quickly move from heel-to-toe. The Melts Collection includes a women’s Ricochet LE in vanilla sprinkles, featuring the design elements of its Ghost 12 counterpart along with a waffle cone-inspired saddle.
The Ghost 12 sells for $130 and the Ricochet LE for $120. The collection went on sale beginning July 25 at brooksrunning.com and at select retailers.

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.